Comments on: bah humbug

By: Don

Don — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 23:31:32 +0000

Like it or not, attending work functions is often seen as a sign of appropriate devotion to your job. I think you’re interpreting the statement “you must go to your work xmas party except for XYZ reasons” as an etiquette statement rather than what it is, a career advancement statement.

I don’t know if it’ll make you feel better or worse, but it’s any number of socializing activities, not just the holiday party. My father commented to me some years ago that he realized that he’d probably have been one or two rungs higher on the ladder by the time that he retired if he watched football – sports talk during the downtime in meetings and hallways is one of the ways people socialize and bond at work. There’s any number of books you can find out there that prove that people start making decisions based on emotion and gut rather than analysis in the workplace, starting at the interview stage and continuing on in all other areas.

Holiday parties are career development time just as sure as certificate programs are.

By: Carl Weaver

Carl Weaver — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 22:28:39 +0000

I once brought 1500 ml of homemade wine to a during-the-work-day office holiday party. My boss brought moonshine. It was a great time. Everyone got loaded and went home to sleep it off, or else to each others’ homes. It was a wild company.

This year I work for a small company in Falls Church and will definitely be noticed when I don’t show up. My built-in excuse is that my mother has summoned me for a visit to NC. I was looking forward to drinks and food on the company this year…

I knew someone who told me that at her husband’s company holiday party many years ago a bunch of people got drunk and told off the boss or else quit their jobs. So even the bad parties can still be entertaining as long as there is alcohol to put some fire in somebody.

By: smouie kablooie

smouie kablooie — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 18:50:27 +0000

I don’t think I insinuated that I insinuated “that office party comes down to what happened in high school.” I think it is natural that there are people you work with that you would be enjoy being around outside of a day-to-day work environment – and others you wouldn’t. Personally I would draw the line based on who are the assholes – but to each his own.

I do think that the question of whether or not to go really can be an issue for some folks – particularly if you are faced with choosing between conflicting holiday events (and being Jewish I do prefer the PC term).

If you are going to make the choice – it should be based on factors other than “well it’s where I work.”

By: MBFan#2

MBFan#2 — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 15:13:53 +0000

I disagree with this attitude about the holiday (if you prefer the PC term) party. I heard this item on NPR this morning about the “dreaded” holiday party. It depends on the culture of your office – you insinuate that office party comes down to what happened in high school. Cool kids out front and center, the geeks on the side, the goths hiding outside smoking…

My attitude – food and drinks on the company dime! Who cares about office politics, drama and all the rest! I agree with you – why waste your time worrying about whether to go or not? Not comfortable – don’t feel forced to go. If you’re the type of person who can have a good time regardless of where you are, go! Happy holidays.