How to introduce your new girlfriend to your friends.

Introducing your new girlfriend to your buddies should be an exciting occasion, but all too often it can spell a recipe for disaster.   Whether you realize it or not, the new gal in your life is still getting to know you.  She will be paying close attention to the things you do and the things you say for several months to come.  Remember the old saying “You are known by the company you keep” ?   Most women realize that sometimes the best way to get to know a guy is through his friends.   The last thing you probably want to do is take her out to a bar to meet “Big Baby Bubba”, your old college buddy who can simultaneously down a 40oz of Olde English and fart the National Anthem in pitch-perfect tone.   Good times in college…..but chances are not the first impression you want to make on your new girl.

Here are some suggestions to keep in mind when you are planning to take your new girlfriend out to meet your friends.  These tips do not necessarily apply to all women…..as I have taken a girl take me out to meet my (more rowdier) friends at a bar…..we all got wasted and my girl wound up kissing and fondling another girls breasts towards the end of the night !   (these things only seem to happen to me when I don’t have a digital camera at my disposal….)

Environment: 
While technically you can take your girl anywhere to meet your friends, sometimes a bar is the best place.  If she is shy, it will allow her to open up a bit around your buddies.  Keep in mind that alcohol can be a double-edged sword….the last thing you want is one of your guy friends whom you aren’t so close with to start hitting on your chick.   Restaurants can be a good place as well,  but keep in mind that if your girl is a bit shy and not that outgoing, she might get very uncomfortable, very quick.

Choose your friends wisely: 
Or at the very least, choose which friends you want to introduce her to as she will be most likely taking mental notes.  If it really matters to you that she accept your friends, no matter who they are or what they do, then by all means take her out to meet them.  Do realize that no matter what, she will most likely be judging you (however incorrectly) based upon the types of friends that you introduce her to.  If some of your friends are a bit over the top, then take a few minutes to mentally prepare her….

Timing:
There really isn’t a suggested time frame to introduce your new girlfriend to your buddies.  It really depends on the type of relationship you are in as well as the type(s) of friends that you have.   This is really a no-brainer, but most guys I know tend to not take it into consideration.

Since every relationship is different, a good rule of thumb is to wait about a month after you meet her even if you aren’t technically boyfriend/girlfriend yet.  Taking a girl that you are “just dating” (but all signs point to a relationship) to meet your friends can actually increase your chances of winding up in a relationship….just as much as they can decrease your chances based upon her impression of your friends.

Actions: 
Keep the kissing and fondling to a bare minimum, unless you have taken her to a swingers convention to “hang out” with the rest of the crew.  It will keep both your friends and your girl from feeling uncomfortable.   Some women really hate it when a guy acts differently around her than he does around his friends.  I have really never been able to figure this one out…but have gotten shit for it many a time.   I really don’t see myself acting differently around my guy friends (as I am sure you don’t as well) but women are real keen on picking up on things like this. 

Take a few seconds to analyze how you act around her vs. how you act around your buddies.  Let’s say that when you are around your girl, you act (whether it be fake or real) like you are a very sensitive guy….then when she sees you around your guy friends you act like a total dick, disregarding everybody’s feelings but your own.   To a female, this suggests that either you have been lying to her (without saying a word) since you first met her.  

With a little before hand planning, taking your girl out to meet your friends should be a very pleasurable experience for all involved.   Take a few minutes to carefully plan the time/date as well as intelligently select which friends you want her to meet first.   Keep in mind that just because you and your buddies are sworn blood brothers, does not necessarily mean that your new girlfriend will like them or vice-versa.   Try to plan the meet and greet so that all involved will feel comfortable and have a great time at the very least.   If you are worried that girlfriend/friends won’t mix like oil and water, plan for an easy exit out……lest she leaves early because you decided to join in with Bubba in farting “Dueling Banjos”.