Avoiding a Shameful Office Christmas Party

Freddy Choyle - [email protected]

Tis the season for company holiday parties. The social gathering for those who are not made to be social with each other, the rest of the year. Things can often get awkward and you can count on at least one person to be belligerently drunk before the end of the evening.  Certainly someone is going to do something, he or she will regret.  Don't let that person be you. 

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Here are some tips to avoid the post Christmas party, return to work walk of shame. 

Dancing - We all love to shake our money maker from time to time. However most of us are just not very good at it. If your work Christmas party involves music and the mood hits you to move to the beat, keep it simple. Don't use this occasion as your opportunity to try out some new steps. 

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Don't Corner The Boss - Most otherwise reserved employees attempt to utilize the Christmas bash as their grande chance to woo the boss. Using alcohol as an accelerant each year literally thousands of managers and employers are corned at holiday parties. They are introduced to those who feel the need to be recognized, pitched horrible ideas,  spilled drinks on, and forced into uncomfortable conversations. Don't be one of those people who corners their boss. All he or she will remember is the awkwardness of the moment. Not your idea, not your fancy tie or your wife's name. Just the memory of you half tanked, and your passive aggressive moment. Instead be the happy employee who says hello, keeps the chatter to cordials and thanks your employer for a great time. That memory will last far longer, for most employees are likely to either avoid the boss all together or the opposite which you've been warned to avoid. 

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Business Casual - No matter the place of your holiday party, it is important to dress appropriately.  If  you work in  an office it is very important to not let your co workers  see you in to different of a light. Avoid dressing down into weekend wear or "something comfortable" ladies do not dress to provocative either. It is important to keep it professional, the less anyone knows about you the more you can displace yourself from any office drama. If you work at a job that requires a uniform or you perform manual labor, it is important to dress up for the yearly bash. However do not over do it. Look good but modest. 

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Sex - Don't Do It - The old saying "Don't shit where you eat" is a valuable reminder that inter office or work place affairs almost never end well. If you are at your Christmas function this year and you catch the eye of your attractive co worker (whom you may have been daydreaming about for some time) do not succumb to temptation. Chances are if you've noticed the intentions of this person at least one other fellow worker has as well. That is the exact recipe for work place drama that could cost you your job or at the very least, weeks of discomfort. 

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Don't Get  Waisted - Perhaps all of the above can be prevented by just watching your alcohol consumption. Walk away from the hero with social anxiety buying all those around him shots of "regret" stay away from mixed drink or cocktails. Instead nurse a cold beer or a glass of wine. Take pleasure in other's poor judgement rather then regretting your own. 

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