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Advice for meeting her Polish parents!


BrokenOwl 1 | 5  
2 Oct 2009 /  #31
Is it true that an even number of flowers are only given at funerals??
DavidT - | 11  
2 Oct 2009 /  #32
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.
g60edition 6 | 175  
2 Oct 2009 /  #33
I remember going to my now wifes parents for the first time.She had taugt me how to hello and nice to meet you to her Mother and Father and I just said hello as I was a little nervous using my new found words(not any more).

foreign whiskey for the Father won't hurt

I did a bottle of glenmorangie he hated it (didnt tell me to my face )

Making friends with the dog is important

I tried its an Alsatian it tried to fn bite me.(we are now friends)

yeah, the food part is important for the girl mother, so better like it :-)

Could not agree more.This was not a problem for me as I love my food.(I draw the line with sour milk and flaki)

Like others have said be youself and enjoy the experience and do make an effort on a few basic words in Polish like Thank you,Good Morning/Good night,Yes please and no thank you.It will go along way for you
DavidT - | 11  
2 Oct 2009 /  #34
i only just realised most of this thread is near 2 yrs old now!

It sprung up on Twitter and I just thought... interesting.
g60edition 6 | 175  
2 Oct 2009 /  #35
this thread is near 2 yrs old now!

So it is.I wonder how he got on?
Ryszard - | 89  
5 Oct 2009 /  #36
Is it true that an even number of flowers are only given at funerals??

It's true.
So once again, when giving flowers as a gift to someone make sure it's an odd number
RevokeNice 15 | 1,854  
6 Oct 2009 /  #37
Tell them you are a terrorist supporter. As I did with a Czech acquaintance. After, show them that you are normal. Bring them out for a bite to eat.
beckski 12 | 1,617  
6 Oct 2009 /  #38
Tell them you are a terrorist supporter

Or ask the parents if they've got some extra condoms they can spare; because you've run out of your own supply. Afterwards, tell them you're just joking, if they don't sick their dog on you first.
scrappleton - | 829  
6 Oct 2009 /  #39
lol.. Okay Bride of Southern over here..
RevokeNice 15 | 1,854  
6 Oct 2009 /  #40
Or ask the parents if they've got some extra condoms they can spare; because you've run out of your own supply. Afterwards, tell them you're just joking, if they don't sick their dog on you first.

Nah, ask them where is the nearst Brit embassy.
rich55 3 | 49  
6 Oct 2009 /  #41
Apparently if they give you duck's blood soup to eat it means that they don't want you seeing their daughter again!...at least that's what my Polish workmate told me the first time I went to meet my Polish g'friend's father. Was he winding me up or is that true?! (I got pierogi and home-made cake so I guess I passed inspection...)
Marek11111 9 | 808  
6 Oct 2009 /  #42
flowers and vodka would be good idea, do not refuse anything to eat or shoot of vodka, after you get drunk with her father and eat dinner you be in.
wayne - | 2  
6 Oct 2009 /  #43
Be polite.

Wayne
Ryszard - | 89  
7 Oct 2009 /  #44
..at least that's what my Polish workmate told me the first time I went to meet my Polish girlfriend's father. Was he winding me up or is that true?!

It's true but... it's an really old tradition and I'd be very surprised if anyone still try to use it to convey it's real meaning. Especially to foreigner :)

(I got pierogi and home-made cake so I guess I passed inspection...)

Anyway, congratulations ;)

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