Dear Kiki: My partner and I have been dating for six months and will meet their parents for the first time soon. They tell me their parents are quite traditional and I should not show up empty-handed. Any tips on what I should bring as a gift and how can I make the best impression possible?
– Meeting Traditional Asian Parents
Congratulations on leveling up your relationship! Meeting your partner’s parents is a significant milestone in your journey together. Even though you are dating your partner and not their parents, building positive rapport with individuals who may one day become part of your family is in your best interest.
Meeting your partner’s parents for the first time can be stressful. Some would even say it is more anxiety-inducing than going on the first date. Understandably, there is a lot of pressure to make a good first impression. Beyond preparing an appropriate gift, cultural expectations and nuances can make the meeting hard to navigate.
It can feel like immense pressure hinges on this single encounter. However, fear not, as there are ways you can prepare and put your best foot forward to win over the hearts of your beau’s traditional Asian parents.
Learn About the Family
When it comes to gift-giving, the first step is to learn about the gift recipients. Since you have not met your partner’s traditional Asian parents, asking your partner for advice is your best resource.
For instance, some questions you could ask your partner are:
- What are some traditions and customs that their parents follow?
- What do they mean to them and the family as a whole?
- Do their parents like sweets or savoury treats?
- Does the way I dress when I meet them matter?
Each family embraces tradition differently, even when they come from similar backgrounds. For the most part, bringing a gift during your first meeting is good etiquette. However, the rules and context may differ from culture to culture…
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