Work Christmas Party

rubadub wrote: »

is it christmas though?

Has anybody had their "christmas" party in november yet?

Lad I know had his section Christmas party 3 weeks ago. He had 'last year's' Christmas party at the end of January...

Its a professional minefield as far as I am concerned.

First of all you have to go, otherwise everybody is wondering whats up with you, bosses feel snubbed etc.

On the night its self its often filled with things you'd rather leave at home at 5pm, like problems at work, office politics, the bosses latest mad plan, so you are this strange mix between half cut and stressed out.

Then you have to avoid the trap of getting hammered drunk (tougher for some than others) and avoiding getting involved in other peoples career death spirals.

So all in all, great craic!

imitation wrote: »

First of all you have to go

Not necessarily. In my company about half the staff are attending the party this year. They put a sheet up on the board and whoever wants to go just signs their name, which is better than going around asking people because you feel awkward saying no. That's the way they used to do it.

Granted we're not getting a free bar or free food. Last year we paid for half the meal and the company paid for the other half. :rolleyes: I'm not going this year.

Christmas parties are fun when you're young. Now I tend to avoid - either I have an excuse, or don't drink at the meal and the piss off

Go but only drink bottles of Ballygowan. Stand in the corner watching everyone and occasionally shake your head and tut loudly.
Talk to no one but if anyone does talk to you, tell them that this sort of drunken debauchery is a disgrace. Leave at 8.30 proclaiming loudly that you have to get up for mass in the morning.
You'll be Mr popular when you get back to work in the new year.

In my last job a few sections got together and organised a meal and drinks in a local pub. We paid for it ourselves. Management didn't contribute anything. They were happy enough though to send an email around to remind us that even though we would be out of the office we were still representing the Department and should not do anything that we would not do in the office. We were also told not to drink so much that we would get drunk.

I really miss working for the Revenue Commissioners

Arbiter of Good Taste wrote: »

Christmas parties are fun when you're young. Now I tend to avoid - either I have an excuse, or don't drink at the meal and the piss off

I guess your married.

My first Christmas party at my job, I was only there around 6 weeks. I was nervous as hell because while I did speak to people, I wouldn't have considered myself over friendly with anyone at that point. But I got on grand in the end. I had around a good bit to drink but was still fairly sober. I think in my mind I was a little cautious that it was my first one and didn't want to make a fool of myself in front of new colleagues. I make that point at some point during the night and one of the bosses said to me that I shouldn't worry and just to relax, have fun and get drunk! And then he proceeded to get me more and more drink for the rest of the night.

Mine is coming up and we are doing a group activity as well as the usually food and drinks. Not looking forward to activity to be honest but sure we will see how it goes...

Stick with your plan and go have a good time

Mine is on at 7pm tonight, usually go to it but wasn't home in time today.

It's always a good night, better than looking at a few oul timers supping porter down at the local.

Mister Vain wrote: »

Last year we paid for half the meal and the company paid for the other half. :rolleyes: I'm not going this year.

Jaysus, so how much was it to go? Many of these places cash in big time so the meal is twice the price it should be, and you are crammed into a space at a table half the size a normal restaurant would give you, with sub par food.