Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Every year our company has the Christmas party at some hotel ballroom, they are very nice, but I always have mixed feelings about attending. It is the company party, so you get X amount of drink tickets, and everyone attends, too many people. My wife does not drink, so I get double the drinks. Plus it's officially called a Holiday Party, not Christmas Party. What's up with that? If it is just a holiday party, which holiday in December are they celebrating? If not Christmas, hell, why not have it in October?
But I digress...
I hate to be a hypocrite, so I really don't look forward to the party, but I go because my wife also used to work at the same company and has lots of friends there.
The thing I hate is having to act nice, and make small talk with people I sincerely have no connection with, some even that I really don't care for, and yet some who have no regard for ethical, or professional behavior at the office. You know, the crappy boss, the colleague who takes credit for a project that you worked your ass off, or the know-it-all.
I asked my wife to alert me when she saw a colleague of mine, looking back on it, it must have sounded like a threat to her when I told her that if X sits at our table, I'm getting the F out of the place, seriously!
Then there is always the gorgeous, mysterious new woman at the office who decides that the Christmas party is just the right time to get drunk and make a fool of herself and proclaim how they like working with you? Not that I mind the hug and kiss from the women. Funny how those people never attend the next years party!
Now I like attending my wife's company party because it's only their division/group, it's always an intimate group of about 30 people in a sit down dinner at some swank hotel. With the open bar to boot, and very nice gifts for everyone, plus some really nice bonus gifts. Very classy.
Every year our company has the Christmas party at some hotel ballroom, they are very nice, but I always have mixed feelings about attending. It is the company party, so you get X amount of drink tickets, and everyone attends, too many people. My wife does not drink, so I get double the drinks. Plus it's oficially called a Holiday Party, not Christmas Party. What's up with that? If it is just a holiday party, which holiday in December are they celebrating? If not Christmas, hell, why not have it in October?
Calling it a holiday party is more appropriate than calling it a Christmas Party because not everyone in your company is a christian. Jewish people have Hannukah, and some African Americans prefer to celebrate Kwanza. In addition, the end of December marks the end of the year, so your party also celebrates and marks the end and start of the calendar year fo the company.
If you don't have fun at your company party, then don't go to it. Or just make a brief appearance and then exit early to do something more fun else with your wife.
Sure. The obligatory office party. Just like everything else in life, your attitude is the difference between an adventure and an ordeal. Here are some thoughts:
1) Make it your mission to learn something new about everybody in the room. Refuse to talk shop. Simply say, "Hey, Charlie. What do you do for fun when you're not working?" When you take the attitude that ALL people are interesting in their own way, it's amazing how much more fun the conversations get.
2) Don't double up on the drinks. Then people will be talking about you on Monday morning.
3) Sure there are people you don't care for in the office. That's life. But you still have to deal with them on a daily basis. Might as well try to find a connection, particularly if you're going to be working with them for a while. Who knows? One or two might surprise you. And if you value your job, given the freaking economy, I would be making as many friends as possible.
What's more, get to know the spouses or dates of the people coming. There's a whole new range of opportunity there as well.
Simply dont go if youd rather not. Better to stay at home and just enjoy a good book or movie than have to play it out at a party you really dont want to go to.
In addition, the end of December marks the end of the year, so your party also celebrates and marks the end and start of the calendar year fo the company.
We call those New Year's Eve parties.
So Miu, I get the Christmas objection, but what do you call Christmas Trees?
BTW, as one poster noted, the party is quasi obligatory for me, and I do it more for my wife than myself.
Consider this - lucky that you are employed that you have to worry about attending a company holiday party that you find such a chore. Sometimes people don't realize how good they have it - we all have to do things in life that is distasteful. Suck it in, put on a smile, carry around a drink, converse with those who you feel you should and leave early.
So Miu, I get the Christmas objection, but what do you call Christmas Trees?
BTW, as one poster noted, the party is quasi obligatory.
Something else to think about.
Your company has gone through considerable expense and effort to put together a social event for its employees--at a time when the economy is struggling. I'm almost certain that the CEO has probably winced when he signed the check to the caterer, knowing full well that money would have better served the company elsewhere.
So your company has undergone considerable sacrifice to do something nice for its employees. Don't you think that deserves your showing up with a decent attitude?
What's more, get to know the spouses or dates of the people coming. There's a whole new range of opportunity there as well.
What kind of opportunity were you referring to? I am happily married!
Just kidding cpg.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
My wife does not drink, so I get double the drinks. Plus it's officially called a Holiday Party, not Christmas Party. What's up with that? If it is just a holiday party, which holiday in December are they celebrating? If not Christmas, hell, why not have it in October?
Funny how those people never attend the next years party!
What kind of opportunity were you referring to? 
