How to Impress Your Friend's Parents

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A great first impression is always important. If you are a child or a teenager, you want to make a good first impression on your friend's parents so that they trust you enough to hang out with their son or daughter.

Steps

1. Greet them. Shaking hands and saying a polite hello is a good start.
   
2. Engage in a conversation. Everyone likes being talked to. Try starting off with a current event in the news. Remember to be very careful with touchy subjects such as politics and religion. Even a topic like history can make the conversation awkward if someone interprets particular events differently. Try to get a sense of their general beliefs before attempting potentially hazardous threads of chit-chat. Weather, sports, and hobbies are generally safe. Try to be broad at first, find something they connect well with, and focus on it. For instance, if you mention you enjoy athletics, name any number of athletics you may potentially be interested in. Chances are, they've enjoyed it themselves at one point or another. If it becomes apparent they hold some belief that is particularly offensive or distasteful, so long as it is not directly insulting to you personally, bite your tongue, be tolerant of their perspectives. You're just trying to keep on their good side, not be their best friends.
   
3. Always be polite. Remember your pleases and thank-yous. If you are invited to stay for dinner or a sleepover (NEVER invite yourself to anything), say thank you when offered and when you leave. After dinner, clear your plate. Ask if it should go in the sink or dishwasher. Once finished with that, Sit back down and maybe when your friend is done, politely ask to be excused.
   

Tips

• A nice smile can win pretty much anyone over.
  
• These steps can also work for boyfriend's/girlfriend's parents.
  
• Dress neatly. You don't have to abandon your style, but do tone it down a bit and comb your hair, if you know in advance you'll be meeting somebody's parents.
  

Warnings

• Never curse or talk badly about someone in front of them. It's better not to do that anyway whether you're with the parents or not.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Impress Your Teachers
  
• How to Make a Good Impression on the First Day of School
  
• How to Impress, Look Good, and Be Friends (or More) With a Girl
  
• How to Socialize, Be Funny and Make Friends
  

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