I'm meeting my boyfriend's family for the first time this weekend!

I'm so nervous I don't know what to do. I'm meeting them for New Year's Eve dinner and then spending New Year's with them. How should I behave? Should I tell funny stories? Will they except me? Should I give them money? What should I do? I think I'm going to puke.

• What religion are you? I had my New Years a month ago.

• Stuff a wad of cash in his moms cleavage.

• Chinese New Year is this weekend.

• Surprise anal for everyone !!!

• Lol r1

• I'm sure you'll think of something,You have over 10 months to think of it!

• Will they except you? From what?

• February has 28 days except in leap year when it has 29.

• My cat's breath smells like cat food, R8.

• Assuming the family is Asian, my experience has been that their culture respects education & looks down on those who lack it. So no, OP, they won't accept you if they see your spelling.

• Do a portion of Margaret Cho's act.

• Pour salt on all the dishes when they are brought to the table. This will show your good taste and the family will know that you respect their traditions.

  Amy%20Tan

• They'll take an exception to you I'm afraid.

• But should I give them money? If so, how much? And should I give only to the parents or all the relatives?

  OP

• Why do you have to give them money? Rather give the money to a hotel, and enjoy your stay there.

• Should you give them money? I'm not sure, that's an extremely sensitive topic.

• R16? It's part of the Chinese New Year tradition to hand out red envelopes or packets which contain money which is supposed to put down or suppress evil spirits.

• OP here's the usual protocol for the red packets: Traditionally, red envelopes or red packets are passed out during the Chinese New Year's celebrations, from married couples or the elderly to unmarried juniors. It is also common for adults or young couples to give red packets to children.

• [quote] In addition to red envelopes, which are usually given from elder to younger, small gifts (usually of food or sweets) are also exchanged between friends or relatives (of different households) during Chinese New Year. Gifts are usually brought when visiting friends or relatives at their homes. Common gifts include fruits (typically oranges, and never pears), cakes, biscuits, chocolates, candies, or some other small gift.

• Oh, I see, R17, it's essentially a spiritual tradition.

• Oh great, now I have to bring gifts too? And food and sweets, fruits oranges, pears, cakes, biscuits, chocolates, and candies? Ugh, better hit Whole Foods after work today.

  OP

• Don't forget to pick up some extra special trinkets!

• Relax, OP. You'll look like a "try hard" if you do all that. Just get a few of those small (4 piece) chocolate Godiva boxes to hand out to the kids. They even have a red ribbon--perfect. Over and done.

  http://www.godiva.com/gold-favor-red-ribbon-4-piece/190057%2Cdefault%2Cpd.html%3Fcgid%3DAll-Gift-Boxes%23start%3D45%26sz%3D24%26cgid%3DAll-Gift-Boxes

• No pears! Fruit must be round, symbolizing endless something-or-other -- oranges are best -- no ovoid shapes like lemons or nipped in middles like pears. I agree with R23. Nice little chocolates for the kids, & maybe a pretty bag of clementines or mandarin oranges for the hosts.

• OP are you white?

• Um, here's a bright idea, Einstein: why don't you ask your boyfriend what is customary, and what is expected of you as their son's boyfriend. Are you impaired in some way?

• I'm not going to go as far as saying he's impaired, he might just be extraordinarily slow today for some reason.

• Make sure your anus is sparkling clean

• It is possible this is the OP first boyfriend.

• It will be OK rice queen.

• Well, this is quite educational. I had no idea. I think R18 & R19, R23 & R24 are correct. As far as your behavior,just smile, make brief comments, ask polite questions, and be a good listener. You don't have to run around with a stupid grin plastered on your face every minute, but you can look pleasant, can't you. Shift the focus from you to them. And above all, be polite, and relax. You'll be fine. One thing I've learned. It is always good to ask a question when you are unfamiliar with the culture. People appreciate that. Strike a balance between showing that you have made some effort to familiarize yourself about their traditions, but also feel comfortable enough to ask. They will delight in helping you and explaining things. Most people are very proud of their culture and like to tell their stories. If they see a sincere effort on your part, they'll be very generous. Now, it's possible you may encounter a stand offish, surly type, but always remember. Those people are like that even when you aren't around. It's not you, it's them. Just be polite to them and if they rebuff attempts at conversation, move on but don't completely ignore them. Just be polite & pleasant as you would to strangers. So, candy, and maybe red envelopes for the kids, oranges or clementines for the grown ups, (maybe some cookies?) and be nice. Have fun, OP. Really do.

• OP, just stay home this weekend.

• Eat Long Noodles and ROUND oranges.

• [quote]They will delight in helping you and explaining things. Most people are very proud of their culture and like to tell their stories. If they see a sincere effort on your part, they'll be very generous. Make them tell stories? Are you serious? Like they speak English.

• Do not put anything in writing, OP. If they see that you don't know the difference between accept and except, they will except you.