Meeting future in-laws

[letswame]

I will be meeting my future in-laws very soon. I’m excited but also quite nervous. They only speak German and I only speak English. I think I can manage that situation but any ideas and ways to manage this would be welcomed. Also, any suggestions for what sort of gift I can take them? They are in their 80’s.
thank you in advance:-)

Perhaps hide this thread.

Definitely second shortbread, especially if it’s in a nice tin.

The don’t mention the war stuff is just tiresome. It was 80 years ago and Fawlty Towers was, what, 50 years ago? Get over it.

If you are staying in the same house make sure you dress for breakfast, rather than go down in PJs. …assuming your in laws are like my German grandparents…

read some bbc news articles about Germany beforehand so you can make small talk? E.g. the trains are all late at the moment due to chronic underinvestment

google where they live and think of some day trips or ask about those places?

ask to see as many photos as possible too! How exciting!

My ex in-laws were Polish and the best thing I ever did in my relationship was to learn basic conversational Polish - it shows respect and commitment (in my humble opinion), they really appreciated it and we were able to have a laugh and proper connection. Not saying you need to suddenly learn German but you absolutely should learn some very basic phrases

I have had my partner punched in the face for being a nazi - they thought he sounded German, he wasn’t.

But laughing about the war is just ingrained in people so you’re fighting a losing battle I think.

Awful, I am sorry that happened but it doesn't surprise me.
I may be fighting a losing battle (hope that wasn't a war reference 😁) but I will continue to do so, especially for my DC

Not my style

No, just thick.

100%

Perhaps stop with the inane patronising comments when you don't understand the issues. Weirdly, we've heard of Fawlty Towers, we were there.

@Hoppinggreen I get it. It's fine for some people to be as vile as they like about the Germans, it doesn't count.

@Letswame 🥰. I have been married to a German for thirty odd years and speak pretty fluent German. Happy to help. I'll be back to the thread later. 😊

Yes I can totally understand that. I really can.

the thing that my partner was most outraged by in the punching incident was, as a proud Dutchman, being accused of being German 😂 as I’m sure you know, there’s no love lost between the two nations, especially when it comes to football!

Anyhoo
Apologies to Op for the derail but maybe its given you some insight into what you might face if/when you marry a German.
Hope it goes well and they are as lovely as you sound like you deserve.