You want, nay, crave their approval, because even if you have no intention of becoming the future son- or daughter-in-law, you know they're an important enough influence in your significant other's life to make your life tough should you get on their bad side.

So the importance of this introductory meeting can't be overstated: First impressions are crucial -- especially if her father owns a shotgun.

Ha! I'm kidding… maybe.

But the way to her Daddy's heart is not to brag about how great a lay his daughter is…or letting Mommy Dearest know that her son's biggest asset is his bank account. Don't laugh -- you'd be amazed at the number of tactless individuals that have been banished for such lack of judgment.

What are some of these completely avoidable faux pas? John Townsend*, a government worker in Ontario's Niagara Region, says he hasn't been impressed with any the 30 (!) girlfriends his 20-year-old son Bill has brought home in the last couple of years. (Bill is a musician, hence the vaulted chick quotient).

"They were the most annoying, ill-mannered trollops I have ever met," reports Townsend. "I didn't like a single one of them. They were brash, mouthy, bossy little things with no sense of propriety at all."

 

Just in case you're wondering if Townsend is a bit of a mountain goat when it comes to approving potential girlfriend, he has nothing but praises for the choices of his other son, Cain, 18.

 

"Cain's girlfriends have been very pleasant, well-mannered and polite," he says. "They have been a total pleasure to have over for dinner or just hang around.

 

"Cain is very discriminating in his tastes," Townsend adds.

 

Getting into more particulars, Townsend says there's a big difference between the girls he approves and the ones he doesn't.

 

"The annoying ones talk back, question house rules, ignore my questions, use foul language and dress like street walkers.

 

"The well-mannered ones engage in conversation, call me Mr. Townsend, give me more than one-word answers, avoid dressing like they want to date me, smile and treat my son with respect."

 

Never underestimate the impact of the impression you make on a parent.

 

"This is my kid she's involved with, so she'd better get a sense that I give a damn who she is," Townsend emphasizes.

 

For guys visiting their girlfriend's folks, putting the moves on Mom would tend to be one sure way of overstepping your welcome. Others might be copping 'tude; dressing like a garage or basement rock star and showing up drunk, stoned or a combination thereof.