Work Drinks Awkwardness

LegacyUser

Hey guys,

I'm going to go anon for this...

Last Friday we had going away drinks and it was the first time I was out with my manager and colleagues as I only started working there recently. I decided to keep it cool drink-wise and didn't go mad initially. The amount of sh!t talk was a bit much and I got into a few conversations that just weren't that nice or comfortable for me.

I decided to drink more because I was just getting a bit fed up and then I ended up being a bit drunk. I was fairly cool bout most things - didn't say much and just kinda nodded. I did however say one thing that I am CRINGING about ever since and I am afraid it will lead to something... Our CFO was there and he is recently single. A younger woman was there who doesn't work for us and I may have said to my manager that I think that she is his new girlfriend... I know it's not a major deal but I am a bit awk about it!!

Am I being ridiculous?

Thanks

Tasden

Think you may be over thinking things.

bee06

I really wouldn't worry about it. Chances are your manager won't even remember and even if he/she does it was really a harmless remark.

Stavro Mueller

I hope you've learned one thing from this though. Go easy on the drink at work related dos. Getting drunk because you were fed up wasn't clever. Save getting drunk for when you're out with your friends. Work is too close to home.

beks101

Haha. I WISH that sort of innocuous statement was the worst thing I had said to colleagues on a work night out :pac:

I've nearly died with fear over totally morto cringefest drunken comments I've made to bosses, CEOs, managing directors and seriously career-influencing characters on these sort of work events.

You live and learn. If you feel comfortable, make a jokey apology for 'being a bit loose-lipped' if you see that person again; if not, be polite and don't broach it at all. Likely they've seen a million times worse and just think it's a touch amusing and if you're a hard and reliable worker, it won't affect how they view you or your reputation.

My rule, at the MOST two drinks and then water for the rest of the night. And a half hour to work on each drink. Any more and I'm a serious liability

ongarboy

OP - many if not all of us have been there. Generally, we magnify the situation the next morning (assuming we can remember what came out of our mouths the night before! ) and as Beks said, we cringe and get mortified at the thought of how we came across. Generally, however, what we said is not considered remotely embarrassing by anyone else as they are probably focussing on what they said/did/hangover cure and were most likely equally inebriated as well.

Mistaking someone as a partner is a common mistake at new social gatherings where you don't know people well and there is absolutely no awkwardness about it. It will often be the source of amusement because of the unlikeliness of such a coupling by those who know them. There are occasions where one can cross the line with what they say after a few drinks on them but that definitely didn't happen here from what you've said. Relax!

LegacyUser

Thanks for the messages, guys. I think my awkwardness is stemming from the fact that our CFO is a mature man (late 50s) and she was in her early 20s! I myself am going out with an older person so didn't think this is a big deal...

Awkward. Today has been fine OK so far!