I would always suggest using Mr. & Mrs. until they offer their first names. This shows them that you respect them and others, and that will score points with them.

Perhaps, in a situation before you are about to meet your SO's parents for the first time, you can ask your SO not introduce them as "my Mom and my Dad", but with the names they prefer to be called. Either that or just ask your SO what they prefer to be called, and start with that.

regardless of what their personal names are..the inlaws will always be outlaws.

I call my inlaws by their first names... With my father-in-law, it was easy to figure out what to call him... Everyone calls him by his first name, even his kids (I guess he didn't want to be called Dad). With mother-in-law, it wasn't so easy... I didn't feel right calling her Mrs. when I used her husband's first name to address him.... and I didn't feel right calling her by her first name and she's DEFINATELY not Mom to me... So I avoided calling her anything for awhile... but now I'm used to first names.

I have always called them by their first names...they would be offended if I didn't!

In our "culture", we call older folk aunty or uncle - even if they aren't really your aunt or uncle. I have no idea why. I guess Sir and Ma'am were just too formal so aunty and uncle were the next best thing.

So that's what I call mandy's parents. In fact, that's what I call her uncles and aunts too. :rolleyes:

what to call father in law
 

Great discussion. I have an interesting twist...

10 years have passed whereby I've always called the father-in-law, Mike, by his first name. This was negotiated early on, and has always been the case - never receiving a hint that this was a problem. This past week, Mike sent an e-mail out to me and some other younger generation men in the family saying he has felt disrespected all these years when referred to as Mike. Obviously there is a conflict occuring within his life...he's nearing 70, has had major health problems, and now is demanding that he is called by Either his miliary title - Captain - or Dad. He'll accept Mr."soandso", but absolutely doesn't want to be called Mike. While in the end I will honor his request with Mr., I'm also using it as an opportunity to discuss with him why the sudden change. Has anyone else seen this type of sudden change with an in-law?

I read the title of this thread and nearly died laughing at the possible implications...lol

I call her Father by his first name, and considering my relationship with her mother, I cannot state on this, or any other public thread, what I call HER, due to possible banning and legal action....
LMFAO

Well, when I had in laws, I called them by their first names. Still do. I never felt comfortable calling them "mom" or "dad". Just didn't seem right.

I just call her Sandy, 'cause that's her name. Even her nephew calls her Sandy.