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How Not to Make an Ass of Yourself While Meeting Your Partner’s Family for the First Time

‘Tis the season for not being awkward around your future in-laws, thanks to these five guidelines

Elisabeth Ovesen | NYT Bestselling Author
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Published in
5 min readDec 10, 2021

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Photo Illustration: Save As/Medium; Source: Getty Images

Meeting your partner’s family for the first time can be nerve-wracking — especially during the holiday season. It’s the time of year when loved ones gather in the spirit of peace and joy, and you definitely don’t want to be the guy who ruins it with an inappropriate joke or general awkwardness.

On the other hand, for some families, the holidays are a stressful time fraught with petty arguments and side-eyed judgments; you definitely don’t want to get caught in the crossfire of that bullshit.

With so many names and faces to remember, bad jokes to fake laugh at, and badass kids running around the house, you might find yourself needing a break.

When meeting a woman’s family, especially her parents, there can be a lot of pressure to impress and/or remain neutral amid family squabbles, all while supporting your partner. Being introduced to folks who might one day become your in-laws can either feel natural and welcoming…

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Elisabeth Ovesen | NYT Bestselling Author
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Writer for

3x New York Times bestselling author, art enthusiast, and design girlie living between Los Angeles and New York City