Meeting a girl's family is an event that makes many guys break out in a cold sweat. It's an important next step in your romantic relationship - it shows that things have moved past the point of casual dating. It also shows the people closest to her what type of person you are. While many parents would never admit it to their daughter, meeting a potential son-in-law for the first time is their chance to determine if he is "good enough" for their child.

But, meeting a girl's family doesn't have to be a terrifying experience! Whether she asks you over for dinner with the folks, or wants you to be her date at her cousin's wedding, meeting a girl's family is all about showing respect:

• Ask your girlfriend some questions before you go – is her family offended by anything? Are they lighthearted or more serious? Try and find out some useful information that can help you figure out how to act before you meet a girl's family.

• Dress nicely. You don't need to wear a tuxedo, but putting on a clean shirt and pants shows you've put effort into your appearance. If you usually wear a hat, remove it inside the house.

• Follow your girlfriend's lead. If she is laughing and joking a lot with her family, you can be a little more laid back. However, if she is acting more formal, you should too.

• Be polite and engage in conversation, but don't get carried away and enter into a heated debate on politics with her dad.

• Don't try too hard to be funny, or you will come across as corny and insincere. Never make lewd jokes or tease family members.

• Don't forget to thank a girl's family for the dinner, outing, or time you spent together.

There's no hard-and-fast rule about how long you should date before you meet a girl's family. However, don't rush into this step – it's usually something that happens in a committed relationship. If you meet a girl's family too early, it will probably be awkward, and it could have a negative impact on your relationship. If you wait to meet a girl's family until you know her well, both of you will feel more comfortable, and you'll make a much better impression on family members.

Meeting a girl's family may seem like a lot of pressure, but if you let your personality shine through without trying too hard to impress everyone with a comedy routine, it can actually be a very relaxing and positive experience. Try and think of it this way: appreciate the fact that your girlfriend cares enough about you to invite you to meet the people that mean the most to her.