Nine ways to survive the office Christmas party

Nine ways to survive the office Christmas party 9 Ways To Survive The Office Christmas PartyPosted October 13, 2011, by Josie Chun As the festive season approaches, so does a potentially perilous annual event the office Christmas party. For some, its a chance to let your hair down with your colleagues and talk about something other than work for others, its an ordeal mora excruciating than dental surgery. Do you really have to make idle chit-chat with your fellow office drones, watch them get drunk and witness their inevitable embarrassing behaviour and then have to look them in the eye on Monday morning? Bah, humbug Whatever you feel about getting into the holiday spirit, there are some definite dos and donts when it comes to the office Christmas party. Here are some tips to help you navigate the dangerous festive waters. 1. Dont party too hard Even though guzzling the free booze may seem like a good idea at the time its bedrngnis. Youre bound to say or do something you should nt and will have to face the consequences afterwards. Making sure that you stay sober and upright will ensure youre notlage the one everyones whispering about on Monday morning around the water cooler. Workdistribution policy relations solicitor Amelia Peters is all too familiar with the consequences of too much booze at these functions. In my experience, alcohol is the biggest risk factor for bad behaviour at these types of events. Most people would never even contemplate harassing or hassling a colleague until they get some alcohol on board and their judgment goes out the window, says Peters. She also offers this caution We remind employees that their behaviour at these events is still considered to be on work time, that is, theyre still at work even during social functions that take place after hours. Employees are often unaware of this or forget this. Pace your drinking and make sure you eat something beforehand or during the party so youre not drinking on an empty stomach. A lternate alcoholic drinks with water, juice or soft drinks. As tempting as it may be and as easy as it is to do, getting drunk could cost you your credibility, reputation and, in the most extreme cases, your career. If you do end up making a fool of yourself, heres what to do. 2. Dont jump your crush Despite the convivial surroundings and a dose of Dutch courage, the Christmas party is not your opportunity to pounce on the office hunk or tell your secret crush what youd like to do to them behind closed doors. You risk regret, rejection, humiliation, or worse just ask ex-David Jones CEO Mark McInnes, who made unwanted sexual advances on publicist Kristy Fraser-Kirk at an office Christmas party, and was slapped with a career-destroying sexual harassment lawsuit. Be careful very careful about taking your flirting too far. Just because youre feeling lascivious doesnt mean others are sharing your mood and even if they are, this is not the time or place for drunken hook-ups, unless you dont mind being the subject of salacious post-party office gossip. 3. Dress appropriately Even though the work Christmas party is a social affair, youre still with your colleagues and your boss and its simply not appropriate to wear anything too revealing. Save your sexy clothes for when youre out clubbing with your friends and keep them far away from the office party. A good rule of thumb is to dress up what you would normally wear to work. Feel free to add some festive flair in the form of colourful heels or a fun tie, but keep it profesh. Multiple studies have shown that dressing for success can actually make you more successful, so its important to look the part even when youre in party mode. 4. Mingle We all know that having friends at work makes us happier and more productive. But that doesnt mean you should just hang out with your buddies. The office Christmas party is a great chance to talk to people you otherwise wouldnt have much contact with, like the shy girl fro m the corner cubicle, as well as the CEO and other senior staff. Try to mingle and chat with everyone, including partners and spouses. This is a fantasticnetworking opportunity, so use it wisely without being an obvious schmoozer. Use this chance to make yourself known but not for all the wrong reasons. 5. Dont talk about work The Christmas party is just that a party. That means its a social event, and not the place to get into the minutiae of your teams latest project. Leave your professional baggage at the door and try to relax and have a good time. Show your colleagues that youre more than just an office bore and you really do have a personality buried somewhere beneath that power suit. Also, even if you end up getting chummier with your boss than usual, this is most definitely not the time to ask your boss for that promotion or pay rise. Such discussions are for office hours only. 6. Find a party buddy If possible, tee up with a party buddy who will watch out for you while y ou watch out for them. You can keep an eye on each other and tell one another if its time to bundle yourself into a cab. 7. Keep it classy Even though this is your chance to relax with colleagues, dont get too loose with your language or behaviour. Avoid off-colour jokes and swearing (dropping the f-bomb in front of your boss is not the best look), and maintain your manners. 8. Dont overindulge While Christmas is all about indulgence and its a good idea to eat if youre drinking alcohol, making a beeline for the food table and stuffing your face before you even grunt hello to your colleagues is never a good look. Its hard enough to keep the kilos off in a sedentaryjob - save yourself the embarrassment of being labelled the office pig. 9. Have a great time It is possible to have fun at the office Christmas party while keeping your dignity and remaining professional. Allow yourself to let your hair down, get into the holiday spirit and talk about something other than work, and get t o know your colleagues in a more relaxed context. Just make sure that you maintain certain standards of behaviour and you should be able to eat, drink and be merry. 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