• Do you cringe when you have to introduce your partner to someone when you haven’t defined the relationship?

  • Are you afraid of crossing paths with someone you know while out with your partner?

  • Are you fearful and nervous about how to introduce your partner to someone you know?

Man from the office saying

Here's how to do it!

Crossing Paths With Someone You Know

Flaticon Icon  Do

  • Take a deep breath

  • Stay calm and confident

  • Introduce your partner by their first name

  • Act assertive

  • Introduce your partner as your date if you're both comfortable

  • Introduce them as a "friend" when in doubt

Flaticon Icon Don't

  • Panic

  • Jump to conclusions about the other person

  • Stumble and try to define the relationship

  • Ramble on about the nature of the relationship

  • Try to avoid the other person or ignore your partner

A man and woman enjoying coffee at a cafe.

Managing The Interaction

Flaticon Icon Do

  • Remember you are in control of the situation

  • Remember you need to be comfortable with terms — if someone else is uncomfortable, it’s about them,not you

Flaticon Icon Don't

  • Elaborate unless you and your partner are comfortable

  • Feel obligated to share anything you are not comfortable with

  • Be afraid to change the direction of the conversation

  • Worry about how others may perceive the relationship

Woman talking and pointing.  She is saying I know I can do it.  I got this.

Quiz

You run into a relative while out with your partner. You begin to panic. What should you do?

What To Do Next?

Flaticon Icon Do

  • Move the conversation along

  • Be prepared to discuss this with your partner after the introduction is over

Flaticon Icon Don't

  • Stress about the interaction

  • Dwell on what happened

  • Pressure your partner to define the relationship if they aren't ready

Take Action

A man shying away and then happy.

License:

Your feedback matters to us.

This Byte helped me better understand the topic.

Get support to take action on this Byte