Meeting your partner's family for the first time: what etiquette questions do you have?

Staff conversation starter from the Site Team.

In many Asian cultures, family plays a central role in relationships, and meeting parents or relatives can be a big step. Customs vary a lot between countries, regions and individual families, so the best guide is usually your partner. Ask them what their family expects rather than relying on generalizations.

Common questions people ask about include: whether to bring a gift and what kind, how to greet elders (for example the mano gesture in the Philippines or the wai in Thailand), table manners, whether to remove shoes indoors, how to address relatives, and how much affection is appropriate in front of family. Learning a few polite phrases in their language is often appreciated too.

Over to you: What questions do you have about meeting a partner's family, or what etiquette tips would you pass on to someone preparing for that first visit? Please keep tips specific and respectful, and remember every family is different.