Most of us, me included, do not have the skills to be social mavens. In fact I would suggest that if you care to avoid social humiliation you should stick to the basics. This is even more important this time of the year when we are bombarded with company and family holiday parties. These situations provide all of the necessary recipes for a complete melt down. Free food, free booze, fancy environment, the nervous non work banter with a co worker or boss…it is a stick of dynamite ready to explode.
1. Avoid the camera. If there are not pictures of you looking wasted it is much easier to deny any wrong doing.
2. Stick with what you know. If you are a beer drinker, keep that half full Bud Light close in hand. Just because your boss is a Dewar’s on the rocks guy doesn’t mean you have to follow.
3. Avoid shop talk. An awkward conversation about how bad the Bears are this year is much better than accidently telling your boss’ wife that every female in the office thinks he is hot, and you are starting to agree with them.
4. No dancing, no singing and for God’s sake do not start high fiving people. All of these are normally great party starters around your friends, but you don’t want to have to apologize to your IT guy on Monday for kicking him in the face while trying to do the worm.
5. And lastly, I can’t even believe I have to say this, DO NOT sleep with a co worker before, during or after your holiday party. A 2007 survey says that close to 44% of men admit to having an affair at a holiday at some point in their career. Even if you are both single, at least try to leave separately so people do not get any funny ideas.
So my suggestion for avoiding trouble this holiday…stay sober at your office party, come late and leave early and if she isn’t your wife don’t bring her to the party.
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