Planning Expectation: When you're ready to introduce your SO to your parents, it will happen easily.
Via kilmerhouse.com
Reality: Scheduling can be a nightmare.
Via doblelol.com
Expectation: You'll wear nice clothes, so your SO's parents will think you are a mature and sophisticated citizen.
Via imgur.com
Reality: They saw what car you pulled up in, you aren't fooling anybody.
Shutterstock/mast3r
Greeting Expectation: You'll shake both parents' hands, so as to strategically communicate your adultness.
Reality: When you try to shake their hands, they will go in for a big, awkward hug.
Via blogger.com
Fancy Dinner Expectation: You'll have a nice fancy dinner together, as adults.
Shutterstock/auremar
Reality: You'll spill things on yourself, and then do something awkward like ask permission to order wine.
Shutterstock/stockyimages
Is there a kids table I can banish myself to?
Expectation: You'll accidentally say something stupid in front of them.
Via easiersaid.net
Reality: You'll think something stupid in front of them, and then tell the internet about it later.
Via xkcd.com
Conversation Expectation: You won't talk about politics or religion, because it's impolite and doesn't matter.
Via imgur.com
Reality: Your SO's parents will absolutely bring up politics and religion.
Via imgur.com
Because if you're dating their kid, both those things matter a lot.
Drinking Expectation: You'll all have some drinks together, and it will be a beautiful bonding experience.
Via sheknows.com
Reality: You will all have some drinks together, and you will try a little too hard to be funny.
Via imgur.com
Expectation: You dad will interrogate your SO about their "intentions."
Via zazzle.com
Reality: Your dad would rather light himself on fire than talk about anything involving you and sex.
Via imgur.com
He will instead spend an hour showing your SO his weird model train/coin/sports memorabilia collection while he works up the courage to remind your SO to "be safe."
Sleeping Arrangement Expectation: You and your SO can be trusted to share a room without weirding anybody out.
Via howaboutwe.com
Reality: Your SO will be sent to sleep in the basement or the attic, like they are a ghost.
Via rebloggy.com
Saying Goodbye Expectation: They adore you, and are counting the seconds until you come back for Chrismathanksgivkwanzakuh!
Via giphy.com
Saying Goodbye Reality: It was awkward and uncomfortable, but at least they love how happy you make their kid.
Via imgur.com
