Attending a football game, parade or festival with your office colleagues? Learn how to do it right!
Attending an event with office colleagues?Although Christmas office parties are in the rear-view mirror, in Louisiana, there are many events still to come. The New Orleans Saints host their first NFL playoff game on Sunday, January 5 and LSU is in the 2020 National Championship Game on Monday, January 13, 2020. After that, there will be Mardi Gras parties followed by St. Patrick and St. Joseph day parades as well as numerous music festivals.
Attending any of these events with colleagues from your office can be fun but dangerous. If someone takes a photo or video tapes you being inappropriate, this could cost you your job. It can be easy to forget that you are socializing with people you work with, especially when in a party atmosphere.
Here are five helpful hints on how to present yourself while having fun at your next office sponsored event:
1. Dress appropriately.
The way you present yourself to your superiors and colleagues can significantly affect your work life and environment. You don’t want their image of you to suffer for what you choose to wear to the event. If you are confused as to what is appropriate attire, consult the party planner or colleagues who have attended the party before.
2. Make sure you and your guest remain respectful.
If you decide to bring a plus one to the party, make sure that they conduct themselves respectfully. It’s best to avoid any situation where you would get into trouble for somebody else’s actions. You will be judged by the quality of people you surround yourself with, and you want to make sure that whoever you may bring makes a good impression.
3. Remember you are with office colleagues so don’t overdrink.
This tip should be a given. Enjoy yourself, but don’t get to the point where you can’t control yourself. Drink in moderation. If you decide that you are going to drink, make sure that you eat beforehand to avoid getting sick.
4. Talk about more than office gossip.
Use the party as a way to network within your company. It’s also the perfect time to get closer to your work family and to make a good impression with your superiors. Stay on topics that are lighthearted and friendly. Avoid gossip and bringing up issues like sex, religion, or politics.
5. Be sure to thank the host of the party or event.
The host of the party will remember you thanked them and it will make a good impression.
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The holidays are a minefield of emotions, stresses, and demands on the budget and time of everyone this time of year. Family requirements are always a concern but even more challenging are the expectations in the workplace during the holiday season. Family responsibilities might be tricky and taxing but expectations at the office have higher stakes.
Some things to consider regarding office holiday party etiquette:
BEFORE YOU ATTEND
Commit to attend the party if at all possible. Some planning committee worked hard to provide a way for everyone to celebrate as a group. Yes, I know it is sometimes hard to relax with people you may not even enjoy being around – get over it. You might find these people to be entirely different in a more relaxed atmosphere. Hey, at least try. Remember all that rhetoric about team building??
Prepare mentally for some small talk
Remember most people’s favorite subject is themselves. Ask questions about where they went to school and grew up. “Do you follow the Saints?” “Are you an LSU/SU fan?” “What keeps you busy when you aren’t at work?” Another topic which always gets someone talking is family. “Do you have children?” Ages? Schools? Activities? Any pictures? Off limit topics (do I really need to remind you?) – religion, politics, office politics and policies, and controversial topics such as legalization of marijuana or immigration issues.
If you receive an invitation without a mention of formality or informality, ask around. Especially if you are new to the company, check with employees who have gone to previous parties. You don’t want to show up in a Christmas sweater with reindeer and bells and others are in a sleek suit or a cocktail dress. Consider a compromise between sexy and attractive and professional and serious.
It is always welcome information when the office sets a gift giving policy. Having a Secret Santa or drawing names for a single non gender specific gift with a suggested spending limit is a great idea. Just remember personal items are not a good idea. Gift certificates are an excellent option. If you feel compelled to buy individual gifts, do not present them to the person(s) at the office party. Find a time/place before or after work to give such gifts, even if they are small tokens of friendship or appreciation.
Gifts to the boss are tricky and usually not expected. Be mindful of the workplace’s holiday culture and follow customary gifting which may be a single gift to which all have contributed or absolutely not giving boss gifts. Consider being creative and socially responsible in your gift giving. Perhaps you have a favorite charity that you would like to make a donation to in someone’s name, or think about interests and causes the recipient of the gift may embrace and donate in that area in their name. Shopwithmeaning.org lists organizations which fund causes from clean water, fair trade, fighting poverty, hunger relief and education in third world countries. The holiday season is a time when MANY agencies solicit – they are easy to find.
BEHAVING AT THE OFFICE PARTY
Mingle
It might be awkward but make an effort to acknowledge all your coworkers and especially your superiors. The setting may seem really informal but defer to supervisors and bosses. Don’t use this as an opportunity to speak your mind, question or comment on work policies.
Avoid any romantic or sexual advances
Discretion is important. This is not the time or place to declare your romantic intentions to a coworker. You certainly don’t want to be the object of workplace gossip after the party. If you are the object of unwanted attention, let the person down gently – especially if you find yourself being “hit on by the boss.” Remember innocent attention can turn inappropriate and lead to claims of sexual harassment. Don’t touch people in ways that can be misconstrued or say things that can be considered sexually provocative or demeaning.
That drinking thing
First, remember that it is not a requirement to have any alcoholic beverage. Many people do not drink because of religious convictions, health issues, or perhaps because they are recovering alcoholics. No one should ask why you aren’t drinking alcohol and unless he is a dullard will not. It is perfectly acceptable to have a soft drink, water or coffee without any explanation offered. That being said, many people use a holiday party as an opportunity to imbibe at the company’s expense. Most post party gossip concerning improper behavior (think dancing with the lamp shade on your head, giving TMI -too much information about your personal life, or telling people exactly how you feel about fellow employees or company policies) is fueled by too much alcohol.
Problems arise that can cause others to think poorly of you or in extreme cases cause dismissal from a job. The more drinks, the more likely a person is to do something he/she will regret. I’m just guessing here, but if you are a drinker who has sometimes overdone it, think back to things that you did or said that might have caused you embarrassment upon cold, sober reflection.
So consider if you are drinking to eat food before drinking. You might order rum and coke or gin and tonic for a first drink and then switch to plain coke or tonic. No one will notice. If it is a long evening pace yourself and drink water and eat between alcoholic beverages. If you feel like you might be overdoing it, duck out early instead of getting drunk in front of the boss. In the holiday spirit, consider helping a coworker that might need to be encouraged to leave the party – and drive him/her or call a cab. On final thought – Don’t let these suggestion be a concern that overrides your decision to attend, as Holiday Office Parties can be great relationship builders with co-workers, clients or prospects.
SOOOOOOO – HAPPY HOLIDAYS, KWANZAH, HANUKKAH, RAMADAN, DIWALI –MERRY CHRISTMAS AND REMEMBER AN OFFICE PARTY IS STILL THE OFFICE AS FAR AS GOOD SENSE AND PROPER ETIQUETTE ARE CONCERNED. ENJOY AND BE SMART.
Tonight we’re going to party like its 1999! Let’s NOT.
You moon the wrong person at an office party and suddenly you’re not ‘professional’ anymore.
How come stupid things seem so smart while you are doing them?
Haven’t gone to your office Christmas party yet? Awaiting an office New Year’s Eve Party? Take some time to think about this unique “social” situation. Remember the operative word in office party is “office.” Susan Adams of Forbes Magazine stresses that these are professional functions and even though they are relaxed and designed to be fun, remember you still must be a professional. Listen as much as talk. And talk about safe topics like movies, books, hobbies – NEVER religion or politics.
Social media is always lurking and you are just a handy cell phone video away from being a u tube sensation, possibly an unemployed one. Some golden rules for holiday party etiquette are simply common sense and proper etiquette in any setting, but it doesn’t hurt to give some thought to these suggestions just in case the hustle bustle of the holidays have given you a brain fog.
Don’t drink too much – in fact, don’t consume too much of anything; don’t hover over the bar or the buffet table. Stick to a two drink maximum. If you know you might have a problem, stay home.
Be prepared for small talk – Have some topics in mind. Strike up conversations with people you don’t know.
Keep your hands off and eyes up. Even if a female coworker is showing skin and possibly flirting, remember your sexual harassment training.
Don’t skip the party – see exception in rule 1.
Exit early. Make an appearance, keep it professional, navigate the party like a job.
Some of these are repeats of warnings to limit alcohol and the need to cultivate the art of appropriate small talk. See if you agree with them?
Do make proper introductions – prepare ahead and practice recalling names.
Don’t talk gossip, politics, or religion.
Do put away your phone. You don’t want to look distracted or bored.
Don’t bring gifts to bosses and managers, unless the group has gone in on one.
Do dress appropriately. Err on the side of being more formal.
Do say thank you. Seek out those responsible for planning the party and thank them for their efforts. Consider following up with a written note.
I’m guessing that you are remembering some hilarious faux pas, indiscretions, bloopers, misjudgments, and social blunders that you have witnessed at office holiday parties in the past. What great water cooler stories have come from those! I don’t know how much validity is found in magazine surveys , but “Men’s Health” recently reported that 44% of men admitted to “hooking up” at the office holiday party – SCARY. Did they provide people and company names in those surveys?
SO —THINK BEFORE YOU PARTY. EVERYONE WANTS THE HOLIDAY PARTY TO BE MEMORABLE BUT NO ONE WANTS TO BE THE REASON IT WAS.
Additional Resources:
Passing Out, Making Out, and More: Holiday Office Party Confidential 20/20 ABC News Video Clip: Holiday Party Confidential
Some things to consider regarding office holiday party etiquette: 
you may not even enjoy being around – get over it. You might find these people to be entirely different in a more relaxed atmosphere. Hey, at least try. Remember all that rhetoric about team building??
