Meeting your girlfriend’s Asian parents for the first time can be daunting enough, but it can be even more challenging when you come from different backgrounds. Asian parents have a reputation for being difficult to please, so if you’re preparing for your first meeting with the Asian in-laws, we have four things you should consider in order to make an excellent first impression.
Dress smartly
Don’t underestimate the importance of dressing smartly when meeting the Asian parents for the first time. The way you dress says a lot about you, so if you dress smartly, it says to your Asian in-laws that you respect them and their daughter and are taking this first meeting seriously. If you’re not sure what’s appropriate and you don’t feel comfortable asking your Asian girlfriend, remember it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed, so err on the side of caution when it comes to what you wear to dinner.
Show respect to your elders
In Asian culture, the utmost respect is given to elderly people. When you’re meeting your girlfriend’s parents for the first time, you should be very mindful of this fact and treat them with total respect. You should also be cognizant of how you talk about other elderly people that are prevalent in your life, as this will give them an idea of what kind of person you are. Whether it’s an elderly neighbour or an elderly family member, telling stories of times you have respected the elders around you is likely to stand you in good stead.
Be yourself
When you’re meeting the parents for the first time, it can be daunting. When we’re under pressure, it can be tempting to make things up to seem better than we actually are. But this is a terrible idea. If you’re trying to impress her parents and you’re in the relationship for the long run, avoid telling lies, regardless of how futile they may seem at the time. If you get caught in a lie about your lifestyle or personality, your in-laws will not trust you, but if there is something about your life that they don’t necessarily approve of, at least if you tell the truth, they will be more understanding of it in the long term.
Don’t take their comments too personally
During your first meeting, you might get asked several questions that make you feel a little uncomfortable. Your in-laws will want to know all about your life and will quiz you on many of the personal aspects of your life. They might even make some comments that you find a little disparaging, particularly about your professional or social life. Even though you might find it inappropriate or a little insulting, it would be disrespectful to argue with them or disagree. It’s best just to suck it up and move on, and hope that you can win them over during future meetings.
