An American joining a Swedish family for Christmas
@sugarplum9084 (1771)
United States
July 18, 2008 6:35pm CST
My boyfriend lives in Sweden, and I plan to fly out and stay with them for the holiday... I will be a little nervous when it comes to this sort of thing, especially when it comes to opening presents and eating Christmas dinner, how awkward I will feel! I will feel like I am intruding into their family event. I also worry about the language thing... They all speak English fluently, but I am worried whether they will speak English around me or Swedish. I will feel awkward either way, if they speak Swedish I will be so confused and will feel out of place, and if they conform to me I will feel like I am infringing even more with their holiday, where they have never had to speak English together for. Will they speak Swedish or English during dinner and Christmas tree time, something I am a little nervous to find out about. I am also vegetarian, so dinner will be interesting haha.
1 response
@lrglara (1334)
• Philippines
23 Jul 08
everyone feels reluctant to meet the boyfriend's or girlfriend's for the first time. it is really going to be awkward. i don't think you're intruding a family event. it is actually a great way to meet them. know them a little better. my advise, just be yourself. make your self comfortable and think of it as making new friends. imagine yourself with your friends, in a discreet kind of way (not the wild one). being nervous is okay. tell them upfront that you're a vegetarian so they can prepare something for you... or else, you'll starve. be polite. that's the best! good luck! and be yourself! i think you'll be fine.
