How to introduce a partner before you've defined the relationship

• 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?

Here's how to do it!

 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

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

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

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

Do

• Move the conversation along

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

Don't

• Stress about the interaction

• Dwell on what happened

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