Dating Manners: Respect for the Family

We have been asked by several readers to address a few different points of manners while dating, so we thought that "Family Respect" would be a great place to start.

I have witnessed several relationships among friends where the family doesn't exactly care for the person their friend, sibling or child is dating.  It isn't necessarily something personal against the other person, it usually stems from how the parents, friends or siblings are watching their loved one get treated. You may not think that respecting your boyfriend/girlfriend's family has anything to do with dating, but it does...A LOT!

Respect doesn't consist of just acknowledging their presence, but if you want a real place in the life of this family, then you need to make a conscientious effort to do so. It is not the responsibility of the siblings or the parents to make you feel welcome first, it is the person who is attempting to enter the family that must put an impressive good foot forward. If no effort is made by the boyfriend/girlfriend, no effort would be made by the family.  Remember, you are entering their home, not the other way around. Believe me, when solid truthful efforts are made, you will receive quite the welcoming response.

Sauce of Life Tips:

• Never walk into your boyfriend/girlfriend's parent's home without addressing their parents.  This doesn't mean just looking at them and nodding, no that appears like you have no manners and a chip on your shoulder. It is crucial that you say "Hello, Mr. or Mrs. .....  How are you doing?" Strike up a conversation, be interested in them and they will become interested in you and your relationship with their child.
• If your boyfriend or girlfriend lives at home with their parents, never walk through the back door.  No offense, but it makes the enter relationship look questionable. Are you just showing up for a quickie?
• Be polite. There is not excuse whether you are shy or a quiet person, believe me, you will be remembered by your manners and if bad manners are a consistent habit of yours, that will be remembered and most likely held against you.
• If you plan on marrying your boyfriend/girlfriend, then eventually you will be part of the family. Don't you want a smooth transition rather than a rough start to marriage?