DavidT
2 Oct 2009
Love / Advice for meeting her Polish parents! [44]
Language can be a problem. Do you speak Polish, or do they speak English?
My Polish is rather poor, but better than when I arrived 2 1/2yrs ago. My other half's parents speak no English (just things like "Happy Birthday" at Christmas time etc).
It makes it difficult and added to that pressure of when we first met.
As other said be polite, dress neatly and also be respectful to them. As mentioned houses/flats may look like it's "been to hell and back", but look past the condition of walls and appreciate the home they've made. Not often large by some standards though I've some friends with places that are enormous and beautiful. My gf's family home is only a small flat and what people have or don't have should not at all form a part of your judgement.
It's always a well received gesture to take something such as flowers for the Mum and possibly a bottle of vodka - may depend if they do drink as some don't ("mine" do).
Just about everyone I've met here, from the gf's family to extended family... their extended family and friends are extremely welcoming and great hosts. Once the ice breaks, at least any discomfort in having just met especially if there are language barriers I think you should enjoy it.
Flowers and funerals... been to my fair share of funerals here this year and flowers are certainly big, bigger than back home (Australia). It's not only funerals at all so feel free to take flowers.
There isn't necessarily a hard 'n' fast rule on it. If you have something more interesting, different or shows your culture/background (trinkets, whiskey, wines/liqueurs etc) I'd think those would be fine instead of just flowers and vodka.
Those are my thoughts anyway.
Note. I'm also best friends with the dog.
Language can be a problem. Do you speak Polish, or do they speak English?
My Polish is rather poor, but better than when I arrived 2 1/2yrs ago. My other half's parents speak no English (just things like "Happy Birthday" at Christmas time etc).
It makes it difficult and added to that pressure of when we first met.
As other said be polite, dress neatly and also be respectful to them. As mentioned houses/flats may look like it's "been to hell and back", but look past the condition of walls and appreciate the home they've made. Not often large by some standards though I've some friends with places that are enormous and beautiful. My gf's family home is only a small flat and what people have or don't have should not at all form a part of your judgement.
It's always a well received gesture to take something such as flowers for the Mum and possibly a bottle of vodka - may depend if they do drink as some don't ("mine" do).
Just about everyone I've met here, from the gf's family to extended family... their extended family and friends are extremely welcoming and great hosts. Once the ice breaks, at least any discomfort in having just met especially if there are language barriers I think you should enjoy it.
Flowers and funerals... been to my fair share of funerals here this year and flowers are certainly big, bigger than back home (Australia). It's not only funerals at all so feel free to take flowers.
There isn't necessarily a hard 'n' fast rule on it. If you have something more interesting, different or shows your culture/background (trinkets, whiskey, wines/liqueurs etc) I'd think those would be fine instead of just flowers and vodka.
Those are my thoughts anyway.
Note. I'm also best friends with the dog.