Is it just us, or do company holiday parties bring out the teenager-trying-alcohol-for-the-first-time in everyone? Sometimes, free cocktails plus coworkers can often (and unfortunately) lead to the potential for cringe-worthy water cooler talk through the New Year. But don’t swear off fun just because your superiors (or your assistant!) are in attendance. Ace this year’s office party by following just a few basic etiquette rules. Even if you wake up with a hangover, you won’t wake up with regrets.
Yes, there’s an open bar. But, is now really the time to be going shot for shot with Matt from Accounting? Only allow yourself as many drinks as there are hours in the party—that’s basically all your liver can metabolize, anyway.
Save the low-cut sequined minidress for New Year’s Eve—an office party is primarily a work function, so you should stick to the basic dress code asked of you (but we’ll make an exception for a lil' bit of sparkles). Besides, do you really want your male co-workers thinking about your cleavage the next time you’re working together?
Your office party, much like a marathon, is the perfect place to pace yourself. Even if you give yourself a drink limit, try not to down them all within the first half hour. A glass of water in between each cocktail may mean more trips to the bathroom, but it also means you’ll keep your wits about you and wake up hangover-free (especially with this pharmacist-designed trick).
Yes, they may be incredibly attractive and totally smart for their age, but you’re just asking for day-after awkwardness (and a potential lawsuit). In fact, even if you want to make out with totally legal Chris from IT, wait until the party’s over—no one wants their boss to watch them make moves (or leave holding hands with that sales rep).
We love free hors d’oeurvres as much (more than) as the next girl does, but a combined total of a mini crab cake, chicken finger, and some cheese and crackers is not going to soak up booze well. Make moves with food before you head out—even a slice of pizza en route to the event will guarantee the drinks won’t go straight to your head.
A fun, (relatively) informal work event is ideal for networking. Want to switch departments? Use this time to make a connection with that department’s manager. Just keep the conversation light tonight; later, you can use your chat as a jumping-off point in a follow-up email.
At the risk of sounding cliché, no one likes a Scrooge. So, even if you aren't BFFs with your co-workers and would rather be pretty much anywhere else, show your face, have a cocktail, bring a gift for the Secret Santa exchange...whatever it takes to show your co-workers and managers that you're a team player.
Every holiday party needs a story—how else is everyone going to smooth over any potential personal awkwardness the next day? Just don't let it be you. That means steering clear of the karaoke machine after 9 PM. No matter what.
Your workload might be the only thing you have in common with your co-workers, but talking shop can easily segue into office gossip. And, once you’re a little liquored up, who knows what you’ll spill... Instead, keep the chatter to harmless small talk—and definitely don’t bring up any serious issues while under the influence. Now you ready to go?
Photo Credit: images all via <a href=
