Happy Easter

First Easter dinner with HIS Family.

Formal meals when much of the family tradition is spent in the kitchen is and always be an important event that you much approach properly. In every aspect they will be examining you on how you carry yourself with the family, how you act in the house and if you will let your guard down.

1. Posture!
Always have an excited and helpful spirit in all that you do. When your in the presence of your man's family always sit-up straight and always "offer" to do something.

2. Insist on helping!
You are a special guest to their son and if they are the one preparing all day for their family traditional meal than, the least you could do is offer ... NO INSIST on giving a helping hand. Like my mom, and many others, they tell you to go about your business and let them handle things in the kitchen. THIS IS A TRICK! Only if she returns the insisting behavior with a higher tone do you back down and step out the kitchen.

3. Bring something to share!
If you can't get your point across and help in the kitchen then have a back-up plan. Bring something you know the whole family can enjoy that will add to the dinner or something that they are missing. Don't just take the free meal & dip .. please.

4. Bon appetite! ..not so fast!
When it's time to eat. Don't be the first to take their seat. Help set up the table and arrange the table for the various dishes. Eat at the same pace as the people around (excluding your Boyfriend, b/c my bf eats like vacuum).

5. Smile with a Compliment!
Everyone loves receiving compliment. Figure out which of the dishes the mother labor the hardest for or was the most worried about for you liking AND COMPLIMENT it like crazy. Mention anything and everything you can. "this is amazing .." "how did you make this?" "o0oo what's that?"

6. Engage in conversation!
Don't just sit there and eat fattie. TALK! It's important to talk and converse with your potential family-in-law. If they bring up anything about a topic make sure to say SOMETHING about it. In my case, the dad was a advent "Seinfeld" watcher. I was quick to say "... NO SOUP FOR YOU!!"

7. Clean-up
Make sure to clean your own plate and TRY your hardest to start washing dishes. Even if you are not successful in washing all the dishes it is still better that someone sees you putting in the initiative to be apart of the family and clean up.

The fact of the matter is... this dinner is absolutely NOT about the food. It is an informal behavioral interview with his parents regarding your mannerisms and home traditions. Follow these steps and always be in your best behavior. You are not in the family just because you got their son to love you.

Tip: try ween the mother and sister to be comfortable with you. They carry and great leverage in their acceptance of you. ;)