When dealing with your spouse's relatives, it's essential to establish a solid foundation for future interactions.
Start by making eye contact, ideally from a safe distance to avoid immediate physical contact or an unwanted hug.
Use a firm but not too firm handshake. Anything less firm might be seen as weak, but too firm could be misinterpreted as aggressive.
Smile, but not too wide. A slight, calculated smile can go a long way in making a good impression, but overdoing it might come across as insincere.
Learn the names of your spouse's relatives, especially their kids. It shows you care, and it's a great conversation starter.
Be prepared to talk about their kids, their job, or their interests. It's not rocket science, people.
Continue to Step 2: The Smooth Conversation for more tips.
Or, if you're feeling adventurous, try Step 3: The Host and Hostess Gifts for some unconventional advice.
And if all else fails, Step 4: The Last Resort has some...interesting suggestions.