Photo Credit: Sheen Magazine
Meeting relatives can be unnerving especially when you don't know what to expect. You may start to overthink, put on acts, and sometimes try too hard. If you're preparing to meet your spouse's family anytime soon, here are tips to help go through the event smoothly.
Be Natural
Sometimes keeping it simple is the best way to go. You don't have to measure up to anyone's expectation or try to be someone you're not. The one thing most parents want to see from an inlaw is humility and being responsible. Every other thing is secondary.
Gifts
What comes close to a perfect icebreaker than gifts! It shows how thoughtful and caring you are, and such a gesture can quickly ease the tension and win over a relative that wasn't going to be nice to you.
Don't Centre Yourself
This is the part where you can get carried away by talking about yourself a little too much. You will have to talk about yourself at some point but be careful to keep it short and simple. Constantly talking about your life can pose you as a talkative or boring.
Stay off Controversial Topics
You don't want to be caught arguing back and forth with your spouse's relatives over sports, politics, or any random issue when you're not so familiar with them. There may be topics you're passionate about which can cause you to go all out while discussing it. It's always best to just observe and stay neutral.
Adapt
You will have to adapt to the different situations you find yourself. Firstly, understanding the family of your spouse is very important. Research on things they hold sacred as well as things they dislike. For example, marrying into a Yoruba family might mean prostrating when greeting the elderly relatives. Another family from another tribe may hold something else important to them.
Keeping these tips in mind will give you a lot of confidence while preparing to meet your future family.