How important is it to you that your friends and family like spending time with your romantic partner? And that your romantic partner likes spending time with them?

And how do you handle the inevitable 'stress of the holidays'

I'm one that believes we can not pick and choose who others may get along with.. Just because we do does not mean the one we are with will.

With that said I still believe that the least they can do it be civil with them while in their company...

I'm sure they will have friends or family that I will not like as much as they do so we would need to respect each others friends and family...

Now if they choose to be vocal and ugly about it and refuse to go where certain friends and family are then I really don't see it working out all the way.....and in the end could cause issues..

I agree with this. Heck I don't always like my family or friends either or who I'm dating lol.

Hey there Txs - nice to see you

I agree. I've known people who refuse to date people who their family and friends don't want to spend time with even though they really liked the person.

And I've known people who have spent Christmas apart because they both felt obligated to different family members.

I find it interesting and am curious how many people actually spend more energy justifying their family and friend's reality than their own.

hello again yellowrose

Good to see you again!

It just puts way too much stress when you feel like you are torn between family, friends, relationship. I would love for everyone to get along, but that isn't always the case. As long as some respect is there, then they can like each other or not. Just don't put me in the middle and play tug of war. Been there, done that. Maybe why I have long arms lol

extremely important that my kids like spending time with my partner. and that she enjoys spending time with them as well. at least now it does. when they become adults and they're out on their own it won't be as important.

it is important that they can be civil and respectful of each other,,,,its desirable that they like each other too

I guess the way I look at it if they really like me and I like them we would make our visits with each others friends and family enjoyable...

The main ones I worry about is my kids. Even they have been civil to the guys I have dated all due out of respect for me.. When the relationship has ended then they might say they were okay or did not really like the way they were. But as long as I was happy and was not being mistreated my kids were okay with the one I was seeing.......But if the guy I was dating dished my kids then yes HOUSTON WE WOULD HAVE A PROBLEM!!

As for as holiday's it has been a while since I had to split Holiday time with another... Which I feel can be met if two people give it a chance...

Yes, I can see that being very important to you! I know it would be to me if I had children.

I agree Harmony and Txs - civility will take you far!

Even if you don't get along or share the same views. As your partners family. Respect for one's elders is a principal that I believe should always be followed. Besides you only see them every so often. Find the ones you do relate closest to chit chat with them.
A middle ground also works wonders, Thing like games, trivia, etc..

For me its not really the interaction I have found that most family's just want to know if their loved one is safe and their mate is truly in love with them and making them happy.

I'm close to my family and see them fairly often, so someone I'm dating will at least have to get along with them enough to spend time with them once in a while.

an afterthought:

when children are involved, a compatibility with my kids would be necessary for me to be in a relationship with someone

other than that, I don't have to like or love everyone my loved ones like or love, as long as I am not disrespectful or rude to them

and I feel the same way about whomever Im involved with when it comes to my loved ones feelings for them,,,,

It is very important they get along and like one another. Holidays are not stressful.

I just avoid them meeting my horny older Uncles.

F....them all but six
She will need to get alone with a least 6, because in the end I will only need Pall bearers.

No, family & friend don't have to like her but they do have to except her

I fell out will my Nan over a relationship with an Africa girlfriend about 17 years ago, she said some
Nasty things and I was the one that was suppose to back down and exept her behavior as she came
from " a different generation" & lived in England.
She was my only living grandparent and I just found out last year she had past on about 8 years ago.

Geuss she sold the house on Van. Island that she wanted to gift me....think my relationship lasted only
I few more months. ..... at least I still got my dignity. ...see you in .... !

I'm was raised to believe that holidays are meant to be spent with friends and family. With that being said I'm the official host for most of the holiday gatherings and I love entertaining.

It's really important that my significant other is able to get along and enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

From what I've seen or experienced with relatives and friends is that once everyone 'let's their hair down' it invariably becomes the free-for-all civility of the classic Hatfields and MCoys family dynamics. Visiting relatives for the holidays, don't leave your guns at home, bring 'em with you, just in case...target shooting in the ol' back yard, of course...