Are you going to your work Christmas party?

Not sure really. Last years one wasn't great. Not sure what the story with this years one is yet. Nice excuse to get dressed up anyway...

The newly established 'social committee' are organising ours...hear talks of a bus..wouldn't go to anything involving a bus!

Spend time with colleagues and not be getting paid. No thanks

When I was working, we didn't have Christmas parties, just Christmas meals for the company I was working with.

What's that?

I always enjoy going to our department Christmas parties. It usually starts off with a meal paid by the company in a hotel or restaurant, the drinks you can buy yourself there.

Then afterwards off to a craft beer pub, where our managers will give us free drink tokens. A bit of craic to be had there especially when people get tipsier. We get some finger food to keep us going as well.

As the night goes on people will either stay in the pub, go to a club or late bar, or go home. I usually end up in a club and come to regret it the following morning.

hot buttered scones wrote: »

Yes. I'll spend the first half of the night avoiding my managers and the second half of the night stalking them. Then the next six months avoiding eye contact with the last three people I spoke too before going home. I love Christmas.

I also do this.

I'm self employed so I guess I be having a Xmas party by myself.

I work often on the weekends so it depends if I am working the next day. Won't go if I am working the next day, won't go if the weather is bad or if it's not in a convenient location. So generally, unlikely.

FTA69 wrote: »

Yeah I don't get this hatred of coworkers, it seems to be more common amongst tension-ridden white collar office environments with a lot of competitiveness etc. When I worked on site or in a hotel we used to always go on the lash or for a game of football or something, same with my current job we'd often go for a drink or even an event if something was on. One lad I work with lives close to me and we'll often pop into each other's gaff on the way home for a brew.

There was always a lot more camaraderie in blue collar type jobs I found.

I worked on my tools for a few years, then in an IT department with a lot of shirt and tie people (myself included - I already had them, though ).

I really enjoyed both working environments. The lads on the tools had to organise their own Christmas Party and we usually hired a hotel room or upstairs in a pub and brought the girlfriends as well. We started paying into the fund from about September so it didn't break the bank in December.And we ALWAYS enjoyed ourselves, no killjoys, perhaps one or two of the older guys wouldn't go.
In the office environment, it was your typical stressed out place, long hours with no o/t payments, always under the cosh. However, the department arranged Christmas lunch every year, which always went well. And everyone, lads and girls attended and went to the pub after. There was no nastiness or antagonism (except towards the management!). The stress and pressure actually served to make the groups more cohesive, common enemy and all that, I suppose. Even after I retired, they still email me and I go (but it s pay for yourself , these days).

I go to mine every year. Large company (I'm there 20+ years); the department I'm in has about 30 staff - most people will attend. I usually enjoy it and really don't get this hatred of co-workers. Some are pricks, some are sound, others have become friends. I'd never automatically not be friendly or sociable with somebody just because I work with them.

Not a chance. Its incredibly awkward and false to be spending hours necking drinks and making small talk with people you dont even like. I went for the first few years just for show until i made the decision not to go purely for my own comfort.
Ive never ever understood the need to mix work and pleasure. I mean, on a dancefloor with your fcuking boss?? Having to watch what you say all night because you cant cut loose. Workmates are not your mates. I seem to be in the minority when i say its weird to mix with your boss but that remains my view.

I am going to go. Take 2 grams of coke. Stay up til 8am and try it on with the best looking girl in the office.

It's a tradition

They normally schedule our Christmas party for when I'm working nights, so no, I don't go.

But to be fair to them, I never went anyway, and wouldn't go, so it's better that I be on nights than someone who might not be antisocial and want to attend.