Making a fool of yourself at the office Christmas
party is something to be avoided at all costs.
After all, you'll be obliged to front up to those
very same co-workers the following week and if
they have a remarkably lowered opinion of you
since the party, it'll feel more than awkward...
While the Christmas party can create worries for both employer and
employee, it is an event where you can still behave professionally and
have fun, and provides a great opportunity to socialize with
co-workers and bosses within your company whom you normally don't have
a chance to mingle with. It all comes down to the simple mantra
"behave right and you'll have a great night". And here are some
straightforward suggestions to keep this part of your work's social
event calendar all sorted.
!! Steps !!
Being seen there is half the pointPrepare yourself mentally and
show up. Rather than dreading the occasion, the right mindset can
provide much-needed balance. Regardless of how you feel about the
party or the office, office parties are a crucial part of the
office dynamic. Think of it like a Sunday afternoon visit to
Grandma – even if you don't feel like it, you know that you
probably should go.
* Accept that this is part of what is expected and expect to be able
to talk to the people you do get along with, at the very least.
It's a good opportunity to meet your superiors in a casual
environment and a chance for networking with new people. Both are
great things for career escalation.
* If work is paying, here's a chance to enjoy food and alcohol at
work expense!
* Consider leaving early in advance. When you're deciding whether or
not to agree to going to the party, it can help to reassure
yourself that you can come up with a valid early exist strategy,
such as having to attend a kid's Christmas concert, or your
spouse's business Christmas party, etc. At least this way, you can
save face by turning up for part of the event but leaving before
things become awkward or strange.
Choose with care what you're going to wear...Decide what to
wear. Find out what everyone else is wearing before the party
and match the tone with your outfit:
* If it's casual dress and you turn up smart, that'll immediately
put you on the back foot and make the rest of the evening very
uncomfortable and also opens you up as an easy target for
derision. The same applies the other way round.
* If you are a woman, find a compromise between 'I'm attractive and
sexy' and 'Take me seriously, I'm a professional'. Revealing
clothing, while fun, is not appropriate around your superiors.
Think beyond the event to the image you'd like your co-workers to
retain of you in months to come!
* If everyone is heading straight to the party from work, you don't
have to worry as there won't be time to change, so clearly work
clothes are the go.
* Don't let work keep you...Arrive on time. This is an office
party, not a discotheque. So turning up 'fashionably late' is not
an option and could have you missing out on all the fun. Arriving
on time gives you the opportunity to say hello to everyone, and
still get out early without seeming rude.
Mingle. Be sure to acknowledge all your
co-workers, and especially your superiors and
their associates as this will put you in good
stead; the Christmas party is an excellent
opportunity to cement relationships and to get
known in a good way.[1] Talk to your co-workers
and bosses about work issues in a positive and
complimentary light, focusing on achievements
for the year and fun things you remember. And
don't be frightened to talk to your co-workers
and management about things outside of work
such as the cinema, football, hobbies, family,
or dogs. And practice listening; this is as
important as the small talk.
* Even if there's someone you really don't like, like Steve from
accounting, it's best to have a quick chat with them, and remember
to use that winning smile.
* While the occasion may feel really informal, take care to still
defer to superiors; this isn't the time to be speaking your mind
informally to management (unless doing so is the norm in your
workplace).[2]
Is this how you want to be remembered after the office
party?Drink responsibly. Don't forget where you are –
technically, still at work because you're with the work crowd,
so treat the party as an extension to your work day.[3][4] Keep
in mind that everything observed has the potential to be turned
into a judgment on your professionalism and work suitability. If
there is one thing that can besmirch a reputation, it's getting
out of control on the liquor at the work Christmas party. No
matter how much management has insisted that everyone let down
their hair, just don't. Wait until after the party if getting
blind drunk is your plan; grab the few trusted co-workers and
head off somewhere else. At the party:
* Eat first before drinking. Drinking on an empty stomach is asking
for trouble. Space all drinks with water and more food, and lots
of conversation.
* Join in the drinking so you don't look like a stiff, but judge the
tone carefully. If it's a kicking party led from the top, and
you're having a good time, you can let your hair down a little
more than usual but do be aware of your limits and keep in mind
that someone is always watching with an eye to judging in the
workplace context.
* Under no circumstances allow yourself to get hammered. The more
drinks you have, the more likely you are to do something that
you'll regret.
* Avoid using alcohol as the excuse to let out a year's worth of
pent-up resentment and frustration about your boss, co-workers, or
the workplace in general. Telling them what you really think of
them will be remembered forever more as the truth from your
perspective, and this can only harm your future prospects in the
company.
Office gossip...Be tactful and careful about declaring your
undying romantic intentions. It's that time of year. If you're
having an office blowout and Jeanna from HR is there, you may be
tempted to make your move. This can go either way. Remember, you
will have to see this person at work on Monday. Think: Do I
really fancy them? Do they like me? How much have I had to
drink? Will I regret this in the morning? This is called a
reality check. If you fail the reality check, under no
circumstances should you make your move. If however, you have
strong feelings for that person, this may be the opportunity
you've been waiting for.
* Be discreet. Your co-workers will gossip as soon as they see
anything happen.
* On the other hand, you may find yourself being hit on - even by
your boss. If this is not to your liking, be tactful. You don't
want to damage relationships with your co-workers or boss, so let
them down gently.
* Don't lead anyone on because you're drunk and you feel like it.
This will only create problems on Monday, especially if they like
you more than you like them.
* Bear in mind the potential for claims of sexual harassment. Do not
touch people in ways that can be misinterpreted, or say things
that are considered demeaning or sexually provocative. Use your
common sense.
* Yeah, OK, time to go home now!Help others. If you see a
co-worker overdoing the drinking or making a move when they are
clearly not fully mentally cognizant, step in and bail them out.
Explain to them what they are doing and how it appears to other
people. If this doesn't sink in, discreetly ring a cab and take
them home. This is one time where your own executive
decision-making can save their reputation. You can always return
to the party after if liked, but don't bring up what you've just
done, as it's a helping act to fix things quietly and with grace.
!! Video !!
!! Tips !!
* If you're after a promotion, this is a prime opportunity. Corner
your boss and raise ideas you've had about increasing productivity
and encouraging new clients. But remember he's your boss, keep it
casual and humble. Be flattering without brown nosing.
* Some people take snacks along in case the food is not to their
liking. That way, you can still eat something to fill your stomach
and help you to handle the alcohol.
* A good workplace or hosting management will ensure food comes
before the alcohol, even going so far as to check that everyone
has had a chance to eat something.[5]
* Keep adding fizzy water to wine and you can make the drinks go a
lot further and last longer without getting drunk.
* If you don't like or cannot drink alcohol, just say so. There is
no need to suffer by forcing yourself to pretend; there are plenty
of valid reasons for refusing alcohol.
!! Warnings !!
* If you bring a date, make sure your date will behave as well.
Don't abandon your date in a room full of strangers. If the
conversation is all about work and your date is bored, make it up
to him or her with a nice dinner out or an extra Christmas
present. The same is true even if you're married; after all, your
spouse's time is precious too.
* Do not, under any circumstances, dance on a table. It never ends
well.
* If you know you're unable to maintain control, give serious
consideration to not attending by claiming a competing prior
engagement. Although stated above that attendance is crucial, it's
far better not to attend and be thought of as copping out than to
attend and confirm you're a drunk unable to control your tongue.
!! Related WikiHows !!
* How to Get Employees to Mingle at a Christmas Party
* How to Have a Christmas Party
* How to Make Better Office Coffee
* How to Choose a Good Office Plant
* How to Make Office Darts
!! Sources And Citations !!
* Original source of article, Videojug,
http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-behave-at-the-office-christmas-party
How to Behave at the Office Christmas Party. Used with permission.
!! Article Tools !!
* Read on wikiHow
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