Sometimes meeting your partner’s family can be truly nerve wrecking. Occasionally you may even open your mouth right up and put your foot right in it. Here are a few topics to avoid when speaking to your boyfriend/girlfriend’s family.
“Your daughter/son likes it when I … in bed.”
Telling your partner’s family anything about your sex life is strictly forbidden. They seriously don’t need to know what goes on behind closed doors. This can not only embarrass your partner but is completely inappropriate. This includes any sexual activity between you and your partner.
“A priest, a rabbi and a monk walk into a bar…”
No jokes about religion. Regardless of your partner’s religious background, it is not cool to disparage anyone’s religious beliefs. With America being the world’s melting pot, there is no way to tell how many religions you may have in one family. Remember that your goal is to make a good impression as they may have a large impact on your relationship or even become your family later on.
Racial slurs or jokes
This is a serious no-no. Regardless of your partner or his/her family’s race, you should never use any demeaning racial slurs or tell any disrespectful racial jokes. This will most definitely shine you in a bad light. Keep in mind that this is your partner’s family not your buddies hanging around the house. This is a case of ‘if you can’t say anything nice’.
NO CURSING!
Regardless of how your partner’s family feels about you or your relationship, you should keep your language to a PG rating. Dropping the F-bomb is not only inappropriate, but disrespectful to your partner’s family. This includes any cursing towards or about your partner, even if it is only in jest.
“I’m a Republican.”
Your political views are none of your partner’s families business. You should attempt to be considerate of other’s circumstances and situations. Sometimes our political views can also leave a bad taste in other’s mouths. So your best bet is to keep them to yourself. Also, it perfectly ok to be knowledgeable about current events, as they often have little to do with political views.
Some thoughts on talking to the boyfriend/girlfriend’s family
Overall, there are many things that are safe to discuss. The safest topic is most definitely your partner and no one will know him/her better than your partner’s family. It may actually be fun, entertaining and less stressful on you to use this opportunity to find out more about your partner. You also may want to avoid discussing your partner’s exes as well as discussing your exes. Any past relationships, whether good or bad should be avoided. You should probably also be prepared to dish out information on yourself. You should try to give as much information as you can without going into areas that you are not comfortable discussing. Get to know these people. Afterall, this may give you a better understanding of who your partner is. So, good luck!
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