You have to go to the holiday office party but your career could suffer for it. *Disclaimer - I may or may not have any recollection of these examples of bad behavior.*
Ha, I loved this: Survive your Holiday Office Party, at Suite101.com's Workplace Culture. I am not a huge partier in any meaning of the word, but holiday parties can be the worst. Why?
- You are with people you may not really like so much.
- There might free booze, which is great, but also a bad thing…
- Because people who have control over your life will see you acting like a moron,
- And loose lips sink ships (again with the booze).
- You also might end up kissing your secretary (this is more of a New Year’s thing but can still get you in trouble).
- There are many ways you can screw the pooch mixing work, play and possibly dancing to old Prince songs.
Prepare a Party Attack Plan
Being a no show isn't such a great idea. You'll be called a Grinch, a Scrooge or worst of all be labeled: "Not a Team Player."
Arriving fashionably late and ducking out early are good bets. Remember, if you get in later, everyone else might already be smashed, putting you in the control seat. Leaving early also means you’ll never have to be kicked out at the end of the night.
Drinking only a glass or two of the liquor is your next tactic, and saying less than you want to the boss is the best strategy of all. "Merry Christmas Mr. Sprockets," is a good start, followed with, "Your wife looks stunning in that red dress...you're a lucky man."
Say enough happy things to leave a good feeling in people's minds and slip out before you are tempted to have a really, really good time.
Scoot on home or head to a REAL party with actual friends...people who aren't going to remind you every day next month about your copy machine capers in the mail room.
