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Tips on Impressing the Family
- Thread starter NP97
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Just be yourself. Don't worry about Spanish. Since English is out first language they must know it, lol. Don't make yourself something yer not !
Just my $.02 cents ...
Def learn some Spanish, like thank you, your welcome, hello, complement them for any food they prepare and you like it, make sure you let the cook know or the host know it was good. Simple things can warm up a situation. One thing I hate is when they are talking in a language that I dont know around you, kind of rude, dont you think?
You should def bring a pinata with you an buy yourself a nice sombrero. That would be awesome! all joking aside I am mexican and my parents do not speak english. My dad does but not much, he will not do it around my mother as she doesn't speak much at all, Anyways I have only had white girlfriends and always the cheerleader/athletic preppy type and I know the things that really impresses my parents about these girls and my white guy friends in general. As stated above my parents go nuts when my friends try to speak spanish, they will laugh at you(seemingly) but they really will appreciate the effort. You'll seem very open minded and respectful to their culture. Most mexicans really enjoy laughing and joking so unless there are tears for some reason you should give good smiles and please make sure that they're real along with your laughs. Eye contact is great and the gift idea is really good but make the gift subtle. Most mexicans are catholic but this does not mean to give them a catholic based gift. Many of the saints and other things have various meanings so avoid that route as it may not fit their situation and you will seem to be trying too hard. Another thing is if the parents have a smile on their face when meeting you and you get a good vibe compliment the mother by telling her she's very pretty "muy bonita" and if that gets a good reaction you can gain humor points by telling the dad he's pretty by saying "muy bonito"
Please take into consideration that my parents are very successful with educated children which is the main goal as to why mexicans emigrate to this country, so they have always been very happy and nice. Other Mexicans sometime feel that they work really hard with no reward or advancement so these may be the control/power hungry parents and the mother will not question th father. Your gf's parents seem as if they may be uptight especially when you say they have somebody they want her to be with. Mexicans really respect an education as that is what they hope for in their children so as you said "she's still in school" don't make them think that you disagree with that and compliment the daughter's intelligence if it comes up say "muy intelligente" and the family oriented part will be tough for you. You live far away so they may think you will try to have her relocate, unless you have a really good job don't count on the approval of that situation. So mention to her(in front of them) that you really like the area even if it's a lie and she'll go ahead and translate it if they ask. All of this advice it contingent depending on what type of people they are. These are just possibilities so just prepare yourself for anything but hope for the best. Their social economic level usually makes the difference of the possible situations.
Please take into consideration that my parents are very successful with educated children which is the main goal as to why mexicans emigrate to this country, so they have always been very happy and nice. Other Mexicans sometime feel that they work really hard with no reward or advancement so these may be the control/power hungry parents and the mother will not question th father. Your gf's parents seem as if they may be uptight especially when you say they have somebody they want her to be with. Mexicans really respect an education as that is what they hope for in their children so as you said "she's still in school" don't make them think that you disagree with that and compliment the daughter's intelligence if it comes up say "muy intelligente" and the family oriented part will be tough for you. You live far away so they may think you will try to have her relocate, unless you have a really good job don't count on the approval of that situation. So mention to her(in front of them) that you really like the area even if it's a lie and she'll go ahead and translate it if they ask. All of this advice it contingent depending on what type of people they are. These are just possibilities so just prepare yourself for anything but hope for the best. Their social economic level usually makes the difference of the possible situations.
