Help! My girlfriend's father is a well known politician...

Short: Gf's Dad is a powerful politician / lawyer. Will soon meet him. Scared ****less. I fear a horrible psychological battle. Any advice?

Long:

Meeting the father of one's girlfriend for the first time is always a daunting task. But the pressure to impress is intensified ten-fold when her father happens to be a fierce and prominent politician. I have read articles online which discuss his traits of holding grudges, seeking vengeance and exhibiting a general ruthlessness in office.

Basically, he is the father-in-law from hell. He is a right wing politician, whilst I am reasonably socialist. My girlfriend has not yet told him my surname for fear of him running background checks on me. She doesn't talk about him often and says he isn't very nice.

This is a very surreal situation - I just read an article about an FBI investigation into him and I feel completely out of my depth. I am staying at her house in a few months and will inevitably cross paths with him.

Does anyone have any advice on how to prevent myself from completely crumbling in his company?

Reply 1

bunniesftw

Not sure if this helps, but whenever I'm speaking with an authority figure, I remind myself that they're just a person. He is, after all, just a person. His title and position need to not be the first thing you think of when you look at him. Because at one point in time he was just an average boy probably getting hammered every weekend. The more you pay attention to his reputation/position, the more nervous you're making yourself. Focus more on listening to what he's saying and responding accordingly, rather than focusing on how he's perceiving you. Granted, you should still try to pick up on social cues and do damage control if you notice him reacting negatively to something you've said. But try to be as calm and genuine as you can and stop reading up on him! :P

Reply 2

Standard Procedure

9

FBI? You in America lad?

Reply 3

consumed by stuff

9

The best thing you could do would be to probe him about his sex life, and call him dad obviously.

Reply 4

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post by Standard Procedure

FBI? You in America lad?

I'm in the UK; their family home is in the states.

Reply 5

wildrover

19

I hope its Nick Griffin

Reply 6

SuperDuperNoob

Original post by bunniesftw

Not sure if this helps, but whenever I'm speaking with an authority figure, I remind myself that they're just a person. He is, after all, just a person. His title and position need to not be the first thing you think of when you look at him. Because at one point in time he was just an average boy probably getting hammered every weekend. The more you pay attention to his reputation/position, the more nervous you're making yourself. Focus more on listening to what he's saying and responding accordingly, rather than focusing on how he's perceiving you. Granted, you should still try to pick up on social cues and do damage control if you notice him reacting negatively to something you've said. But try to be as calm and genuine as you can and stop reading up on him! :P

THIS.

He's an authority figure at work. For all you know, his wife is the boss at home XD And you're going to meet YOUR girlfriend's dad!! Chill out. Forget about who he is at work. Ask him what he did at university or something like that.

Also, there are MANY people FAR more powerful than him.

Reply 7

JD95

16

Take a dump on his lawn while he looks out the window. That should break the ice.

On a serious note, just remind yourself that he's at the end of the day just a dad when it comes to being around him while you're seeing her. Regarding your politics, you're entitled to your views and he his, just keep that in mind if he decides to make conversation down that route.

Reply 8

455409

17

What is this, Meet the Parents?

Reply 9

BKS

19

Remember your girlfriend doesn't like him all that much so she probably doesn't care what he thinks of you

Reply 10

Srstimes

leave her you tool

her dad will mess up your life

Grow some balls?

Major props if you can make a sex video with his daughter. Never know how useful that could be in the future.

Reply 13

s.a.u

17

This is a sitcom waiting to happen

Reply 14

Lumos

13

his work and home life are two different things. to you, he's nothing but your father in law, (if that), you have no reason to act like his employee. don't talk about politics, just be pleasant and keep it to small talk.

Reply 15

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post by JD95

Regarding your politics, you're entitled to your views and he his, just keep that in mind if he decides to make conversation down that route.

I am totally for respecting opinions and I will do so. But I am against Capitol punishment; he has sentenced men to death.

Reply 16

SteelScyther

7

Original post by Anonymous

I am totally for respecting opinions and I will do so. But I am against Capitol punishment; he has sentenced men to death.

This really is a sitcom waiting to happen. If he's a right wing American politician his views are most likely going to be pretty strong, too, so just bear that in mind if it gets political while meeting them. Obviously you don't want to lie about it, but you also don't want to make your political ideology a huge deal while you're there.

Like everyone else has said, just remember that he's still only a person, and if he's a horrible person to you then your girlfriend will most likely side with you anyway from the sounds of it.

Reply 17

Tootles

21

Original post by Anonymous

Short: Gf's Dad is a powerful politician / lawyer. Will soon meet him. Scared ****less. I fear a horrible psychological battle. Any advice?

Long:

Meeting the father of one's girlfriend for the first time is always a daunting task. But the pressure to impress is intensified ten-fold when her father happens to be a fierce and prominent politician. I have read articles online which discuss his traits of holding grudges, seeking vengeance and exhibiting a general ruthlessness in office.

Basically, he is the father-in-law from hell. He is a right wing politician, whilst I am reasonably socialist. My girlfriend has not yet told him my surname for fear of him running background checks on me. She doesn't talk about him often and says he isn't very nice.

This is a very surreal situation - I just read an article about an FBI investigation into him and I feel completely out of my depth. I am staying at her house in a few months and will inevitably cross paths with him.

Does anyone have any advice on how to prevent myself from completely crumbling in his company?

What's he going to do, try and get people to not vote for you? Stand up to him and earn his respect by being a man.