Works Christmas Party

Anybody going to one ?
Anybody got any horror stories ?

Our new manager is making a fuss this year, wants to have some big party on Dec 18th. I have no intention of going. I hate them with a passion. In fact some of my worst days ever have been on night outs like this.

I remember going to one 6 or 7 years ago and feeling so out of place, everybody was getting pissed and messing about. I tried to chat to people but every time I spoke the people around me burst into wild laughter. I walked out of that one.

I hate everything about going out to be honest, wondering what to wear, getting to the place (I hate using taxi's), walking in and trying not to get noticed. I usually just stand by myself in a corner somewhere. I hate drinking, getting drunk, dancing. I hate going anywhere with an interest in someone just to see them ignore me and get off with some other ******.

I hate groups of people, I always think people show off and try to be the top dog by getting more pissed than anybody else. I hated school disco's and it's never left me.

When I first started socializing I would stand in a group and everybody would turn their backs to me and ignore me. Happened every time. So I would position myself in the middle and they would still do it.

I enjoy going out with one other person, always have a good time doing that. Cinema, having some food, theatre, gigs. That is my version of having a good time. Not a large group of people getting pissed and showing off !

Triple Bogey said:

I enjoy going out with one other person, always have a good time doing that. Cinema, having some food, theatre, gigs. That is my version of having a good time. Not a large group of people getting pissed and showing off !

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Pretty much the same, I don't actually mind group things, but given a choice I'd go for your option. Not a big drinker either so the getting pissed isn't my think too.

Nah, never go.

Don't drink, feel out of place.

Also i don't really mix work with my private life

I never go either, I also don't drink, don't dance and don't like the behavior of people there.

Seeker said:

I never go either, I also don't drink, don't dance and don't like the behavior of people there.

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Thing is I often get nagged to go by some of the workers. And they never shut up about it. A few years ago it was this sexy blonde, she never shut up and insisted I should go. Of course I did and she never spoke to me all night or seemed to notice I was there. I've fell for that a few times.

I'm exactly like you - I've always avoided work-related parties...well, any big party for that matter. Not my cup of tea at all - I don't drink, and I don't like being around a bunch of people who are drunk because they generally act like a bunch of asses. I went to one work party, and never again.

I much prefer the interaction between a small group, 2 or 3 at most, who all have like-minded interests...I like good, intelligent conversation (or silly & crazy, as long as everyone is on the same wavelength!) and the coziness a small group brings.

ringwood said:

I'm exactly like you - I've always avoided work-related parties...well, any big party for that matter. Not my cup of tea at all - I don't drink, and I don't like being around a bunch of people who are drunk because they generally act like a bunch of asses. I went to one work party, and never again.

I much prefer the interaction between a small group, 2 or 3 at most, who all have like-minded interests...I like good, intelligent conversation (or silly & crazy, as long as everyone is on the same wavelength!) and the coziness a small group brings.

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yes I agree but it's hard to find people like myself. Everybody is into getting pissed and messing about it seems.

Nope, hate them. Never got invited last year since I was laid off at the time and this year I'll be done before Christmas, though I doubt there will be one anyway, and I doubt I'll have a new job in time to be invited to one. Which is fine by me because I never liked going to them.

I always found them to be dangerous , if you actually stick around til the end you will undoubtedly find out a few dark secrets of your coworkers , and if you do actually drink along with the crowd you have to guard your own personal dark thoughts quite diligently

seems we all hate them !

They've never lived up to my expectations.

I always go in wanting my boss to sexually harass me... or... I dunno. Someone to get drunk and get seriously injured and we all laugh about it and give that person a nickname related to the incident and then the next year it happens again and the legend continues.

...but that never happens. :/

In the whole 8 years I have been employed by my employer, Id say I've been to about 3 Christmas parties. I've experienced the same feelings of being persuaded to o and when I have, I have also felt uncomfortable or 'out of place. I am not going to the one this year too and trying to make an effort not to o to any.

It is my Manager's engagement party at her local pub in 2 weeks on a Saturday night and I am not going to that either.

I do drink but going out in the evenings is something I'm not interested in doing these days (unless its jut a quiet meal with another person) I am in a new chapter in my life.

I want to keep my co business and pleasure 'just that'. They are people just like me with good and bad traits but I just do not feel like I can be around them outside of the 'working environment'. Not being negative at all in saying that.

Yes, people may judge you as being 'stuck up' or 'aloof' but it is the chances you take and ultimately it is your own choice at the end of the day. We all have reasons to us that are genuine for not partaking in such events such as the aforementioned. What other people think should never matter. Ever.

Badjedidude said:

They've never lived up to my expectations.

I always go in wanting my boss to sexually harass me... or... I dunno.

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awesome wish

As I am self employed, my only works do will be quite solitary. Mind you there are a bunch of people I network online with for work who live locally, we've met for a quiet meal once, and think we will be doing that again for Christmas, but it won't be like some mad works do where you spend 75% of your waking hours couped up with a bunch of people and are then expected to socialise with them as well for further punishment (unless you happen to like them which seems quite rare from the posts so far!).

I do remember when I worked in education some sort of bitter sweet times, in the days when I used to drink very heavily. I guess some people might have thought I was showing off by drinking loads and doing stupid stuff, but I was self medicating really...

The worst time was when my last vague memory involved speaking to a colleague, followed by being bundled into a cab and directed home. Then I spent well over a week until the return after New Year with vague memories of having said things I probably shouldn't have, and going back in to face everyone was like facing a firing squad... as if it wasn't bad enough going back to work anyway!

I went to an end-year party at my boss' house a few years ago and was actually having a good time because two co-workers I liked were there. But I once laughed too loud and got strange looks from the higher ups. It was also very awkward eating with people I didn't know. I want to go to a party and be myself and I can't seem to do it at a work party.

I'm all for one-on-one or small group interactions, but often feel lost in a crowd. I'm not a social butterfly and I'm okay with that, but I hate feeling left out or when friends gravitate towards other people and leave me with strangers.

edamame721 said:

I went to an end-year party at my boss' house a few years ago and was actually having a good time because two co-workers I liked were there. But I once laughed too loud and got strange looks from the higher ups. It was also very awkward eating with people I didn't know. I want to go to a party and be myself and I can't seem to do it at a work party.

I'm all for one-on-one or small group interactions, but often feel lost in a crowd. I'm not a social butterfly and I'm okay with that, but I hate feeling left out or when friends gravitate towards other people and leave me with strangers.

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The only one I enjoyed was in 2001. There was this woman working there who I liked very much. She was married but was very friendly towards me. She was a really nice person, interesting and interested in me. We became friends and when she decided to go to the xmas party, it was obvious I would go.

There was about 20 people there and it was good, I enjoyed it. I drank a few beers and at the end of the evening, when all the others were dancing on the tables, I found myself sitting next to my friend. I was so relaxed, happy and comfy that I started to lean on her. Didn't mean to, it wasn't a conscious decision. My head ended up on her shoulder and it stayed like that for the rest of the evening. We just chatted and watched the others messing about. People said things, said I was 'all over her'

It can't have bothered her that much because a week later she asked to the cinema. Her husband didn't like going and would I go with her ? Well of course I said 'yes' and we had a good time. There was gossip and she told me some of staff had warned her not to go with me. (Some people are really nice aren't they ?) - we went again a few months later and overall went over 50 times in the next eight years. Just me and her. It was a nice time for me. For those couple of hours I felt normal and 'liked'

I don't see her now. She just stopped all contact for no reason. She lives less than half a mile from where I work yet she never comes in. I once sent a xmas card that didn't get answered. She doesn't do facebook and I didn't have a mobile then. I do miss her.

It's started.
Got asked today by two staff - 'am I going ?' when I said 'no' - both asked me why. One said I should go and have a drink and dance. I have heard it all before.

I've been to a few in the past, but I never really enjoyed them. I might go this year. It's something to do at least, and if it sucks I'll just sneak out.

Went to one a few years ago with two colleagues dressed as Ninja's. And yes, it was a fancy dress party. We didn't win, even though I think we deserved to. A lady won dressed as a sexy policewoman.

Hmmm.

Locke said:

I've been to a few in the past, but I never really enjoyed them. I might go this year. It's something to do at least, and if it sucks I'll just sneak out.

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I am determined not to go. This woman asked me why I wasn't going and I told her all the reasons, I don't like groups, people don't talk, people turn their backs, people just talk honeysuckle and get pissed. She told me she was going to see this Beatles cover band. I told her I would go to that. If there is something going on, a group, a comedian, I would go then. I just don't like large groups sat round a table, boring !