Wish me luck

[EmilyMiller]

Both sets of parents meeting for the first time tonight. We have a restaurant and then a hotel booked. As his people are bonobos, there’s bound to be some interspecies tension.

Any advice on how to ensure a gathering of great apes goes smoothly?

Em

 

[AwkwardlySet]

Avoid big inflaming topics, especially politics. Talk about small things, ask about hobbies and such, find some common ground and interests for them. If you manage to make the women work, the men are rarely a problem

 

[EmilyMiller]

Avoid big inflaming topics, especially politics. Talk about small things, ask about hobbies and such, find some common ground and interests for them. If you manage to make the women work, the men are rarely a problem

So it’s not at all a minefield

1. His Dad was something on Wall St. - mine was something in a warehouse
2. His Mom didn’t need to work - mine served school lunches and then was a receptionist
3. His parents met at Oxford - mine went to High School
4. His parents are British (well dual American now) and moved here for work when he was a child (his Mom sounds like the Queen used to) - mine are blue collar American and Lithuanian / German-Polish / Italian by background
5. Religion - Anglican (big surprise, right?) vs Catholic (thankfully not a central part of either set’s worldview)
6. I think politics is OK at least

Plus me and Mom don’t see eye to eye on much.

What could possibly go wrong?

Em

 

[Emotional]

Whats bonobos?

 

[EmilyMiller]

Whats bonobos?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonobo

 

[EmilyMiller]

Getting ready to go. I’ve got him to drive, so might take a look here every now and again, signal allowing.

Em

 

[DirtyMarine]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonobo

Stop monkeying around!

 

[DirtyMarine]

Stop monkeying around!

Sorry.... good luck.

 

[ramoredrake]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonobo

Bonobos are a randy species - perhaps the randiest. I hope this choice was deliberate?

 

[EmilyMiller]

Stop monkeying around!

Aping around…

Em

 

[DirtyMarine]

Aping around…

Em

semantics

 

[EmilyMiller]

semantics

Taxonomics

 

[DirtyMarine]

You're way to smart for me...

 

[EmilyMiller]

You're way to smart for me...

Flattery will get you anywhere…

Em

 

[gordo12]

Mm, preconceptions are your worst enemy, and it appears you have a few If they get along, great! If not, I would expect most people not to be rude about it.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Mm, preconceptions are your worst enemy, and it appears you have a few If they get along, great! If not, I would expect most people not to be rude about it.

I’m allowed to be nervous, right?

Em

 

[DirtyMarine]

Flattery will get you anywhere…

Em

See! Smarter than me. Idk what just happened!

 

[DirtyMarine]

I’m allowed to be nervous, right?

Em

Yup

 

[MissPennyLane]

Wait they're British!? Just talk about the weather, we bloody love discussing it!

But in all seriousness, I wish you luck and of course it's natural to be nervous but I am sure it won't be anywhere near as bad as you're expecting or building it up in your mind xx

 

[cuppatea]

Talk about favourite brands of tea. Find ways to integrate the letter U into conversation.

 

[cuppatea]

Wait they're British!? Just talk about the weather, we bloody love discussing it!

Yes! Complain about the rain, or … oh, that snow! I had to stock up on teabags, I’m all set for the next century!

That sort of talk?

 

[MissPennyLane]

Talk about favourite brands of tea. Find ways to integrate the letter U into conversation.

I am not sure tea is actually a wise discussion topic as most of my friends, family and colleagues would have rather strong opinions on tea brand and how to best make it!

 

[EmilyMiller]

Wait they're British!? Just talk about the weather, we bloody love discussing it!

Well they are dual nationals. They have been here nearly 30 years I think. Still sound like an episode of The Crown to me though.

They are lovely and have been super kind and welcoming to me. They have been introducing me as their daughter to people already.

It’s mostly my Mom I’m worried about.

Em

 

[MissPennyLane]

Yes! Complain about the rain, or … oh, that snow! I had to stock up on teabags, I’m all set for the next century!

That sort of talk?

Definitely - WE HATE SNOW.

 

[cuppatea]

I am not sure tea is actually a wise discussion topic as most of my friends, family and colleagues would have rather strong opinions on tea brand and how to best make it!

Good point.

I’ve lost friends to discussions of tea. It’s now safely filed under the “avoid topics” …