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After a new man enters your life and he becomes your boyfriend, you naturally want to fold him into every aspect of your routine. Over time you will want to introduce him to your friends, your colleagues and ultimately your family. But introductions should be handled with care and as we have learned the hard way, should be timed appropriately.
 
Allow us to fess up: We used to have a bad habit of introducing each and every guy we dated to our friends and sometimes even family (including little tyke nephews) before things ever took off and got serious. This can be fine. But running your dates (aka relationship "potentials") by the panel of judges who know you best (your family and friends) can also be a way of ducking out of a decision and allowing others to make your mate selection for you. Read: What's Your Boyfriend Or Husband Criteria?
 
This can and will backfire. Friends may even start to resent the overabundance of new faces flashing smiles at them and the weight of your decision-making being harnessed onto their shoulders. A few friends recently implored us to follow these guidelines before bringing a new male friend into the friend loop. Here's what we learned about making boyfriend introductions.
 
Let at least three dates pass. Some friends may even prefer that you actually wait until you have decided (independently and on your own) to enter into a relationship with a man before formally introducing him to your inner-circle group of close-knit friends. They will be more willing to invest time in your new man and getting to know him if they know he has become a significant person in your life. Watch: Dating A Friend's Ex
 
Go for casual on first meeting. No need for 20-question, resume-style interrogation on anyone's part. Don't allow for this to happen. Your friends can ask you for background details on your new beau later. An introduction should be an easygoing chance for your friends to socialize with your new boyfriend and see who he is as a person (and how he treats you) without knowing every intimate detail about his life.
 
Be yourself. One of the worst observations a friend or family member can make is that you are just not yourself around your new partner. Such a comment can nudge you to call the fledgling relationship into question. Don't over think the intro or allow for it to be awkward. Shine through, be yourself and encourage your new partner to do the same (if for no other reason than to prevent yourself from having to make excuses later).