Scientists have found that the best way to win over future in-laws is to take an assertive approach and directly persuade them you will make your intended spouse happy.
It may seem counter-intuitive, but this tactic - dubbed the 'I am right for your child' approach - helped win over doubting fathers and mothers, a study found.
The worst strategy was to avoid dealing with the in-laws yourself and instead to ask your sweetheart to lobby on your behalf.
The researchers dubbed this tactic the 'tell them I'm good' method.
And despite the traditional view of the judgmental mother-in-law, the study found that it may actually be easier to win over mothers than fathers.
In his research paper, Professor Menelaos Apostolou said that children frequently choose mates who do not appeal to their parents.
For instance, they may fall for individuals who are physically attractive, while their parents are more concerned with social standing and family background.
