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Post Info TOPIC: Do I HAVE to go to my company Christmas party? *UPDATE*
Lilykind


Hermes

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Do I HAVE to go to my company Christmas party? *UPDATE*
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Is it bad that I don't want to go to my company's Christmas party? I'm just not a party type and I probably won't be staying at my company much longer. I'm searching for new jobs and sending out feelers as we speak.


Honestly, I think most of my co-workers are utterly irresponsible. My understanding is that the party is generally full of debauchery and crazy goings-on. The alcohol flows quite freely as well. Apparently in their world it's ok to drive excessively and then drive home.


*UPDATE with new post*



-- Edited by Lilykind at 23:55, 2005-12-04

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Bastet


Kate Spade

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RE: Do I HAVE to go to my company Christmas party?
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I don't think you need to go.  If you wanted to spend years working at this company, then maybe.  But, given that you are already planning your escape from the company, I think you should just cook up a good excuse and not go.  That, and it sounds like a party that wouldn't be very enjoyable, even with free alcohol. My agency had a picnic last october and it was considered a bit of a no-no to not go to it.  That said, only managers showed up. :P  The excuses that seemed to get the most acceptance were those where people indicated they had made plans a long time ago, and had already spent lots of money on said plans.  (My excuse was that hubby and I bought a bunch of camping equipment, and had been planning to go that weekend). 

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Karina


Chanel

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Just make up an excuse.

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honey


Gucci

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i actually have a different opinion. i think you should consider going, at the very least to make an appearance. again i don't know that much about your job...but my office is very small and everybody shows up for the holiday party. the partners actually notice the people who don't show up, and in this weird way it works against them.  they're not viewed as team players, etc. so for that reason alone i would consider going, at least for a little bit. plus it might be an opportunity for you to network, especially if clients and other industry people are going to be there. i would



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mikacat


Coach

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i would skip--say you have a wedding or family event or just go for like an hour but i would probably not go at all.

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Dizzy


Marc Jacobs

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I disagree. You don't want your last impression to be "she was out of here and didn't look back." I know it's hard, but look for the good in people, focus on that, and force yourself to have a brief, sober, decent time. It's only a few hours of your life.

If it helps, set mini goals for yourself. For example: have a conversation with someone who's always intimidated you, find an opportunity to compliment someone you've always liked, thank someone who's helped you. This is a golden opportunity to appreciate the peopel who made your workign life a litle easier. They will remember you for it, and I guarantee that you will need these people again. Of course, if they were all universally bad, then set other goals: convince one of them that you have psychic powers or stuff like that. It can be fun.

Personally, one of the dumbest moves I've ever made was not having a goodbye party for myself because I felt shy and was angry about something stupid a work friend did. The good vibes I missed really could have helped later on. It left a bad impression. It was immature of me. Don't be like me.

Ps - does this have to do with your boyfriend not wanting to go to these things? I remember you posted something about that before. That is awkward, but I still think you should go. It's work, you know people, and it's not really meant to be a fun time. It's meant to be an opportunity for you.

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bumblebee


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i agree with dizzy.  put in an appearance for an hour or two, make sure to greet your bosses and thank them for the party, and then bail and get a milkshake at jerry's or something. 


as a person who works in your industry (and has for a very long time), i have to say that the social/personal aspect of things is almost as important as your actual work (sometimes more).  it can never hurt you to have a good rapport with these people, especially if you are planning to leave the company--you never know where you, or anyone else, will land.  think of it as making a deposit in your bank of good vibes for the future. 



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NCshopper


Hermes

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I think you should go too.  Even though it's going to be debauchery and they're all irresponsible, you don't want to leave the impression that you're above anyone you work with.  Go, have a drink, a bite to eat, a conversation with a few people, and then leave.  Putting in an apperance shows them that you're a team player.  Also, if you're putting out feelers and looking at other options right now, you probably don't want your current employer to suspect that you're leaving the company soon, so putting in an appearance will at least make it look like you're still interested in your current job.

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esquiress


Marc Jacobs

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i agree w/ honey, dizzy, bumblebee and nc shopper.  i think you should go, especially if you're sending out feelers and looking for a new job and especially in the industry you're working in.  i know it's a cliche but so much hinges on who you know (and who knows you).  so even if you're not a party person and they're all obnoxious, i suggest you learn how to fake like you're having a good time.  it's a very very valuable skill.  and i know it's not fair and you should be able to do what you want with your free time but it is what it is so you might as well learn to make the best of it. 


also, even if you're looking to move out of your industry, you should still go.  i was only an assistant for a year five years ago and the connections i made then still have a positive impact on me now, even though i work in a completely different field now.



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blink


Coach

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No, you should not feel pressured to go.  These kinds of events are not to be considered mandatory.  I happened to really enjoy my former employers Christmas parties because it was a small 8 person office and for our party, we would just reserve a room at a fancy restaurant and have dinner together.  If one of us were to miss that party, it would be hard to understand and my bosses feelings would probably be bruised....but it was a different environment than you describe at your job.  I can totally understand wanting to skip a big company party where the drinking is known to get out of control.  In fact, at one big company I worked for years ago, they quit having annual Christmas parties altogether because one year some of the younger and immature employees got drunk and started a fight.


Now on the other hand, it should be expected that you thank your boss for throwing the party and apologize that you will not be attending (for whatever reason, even if it's just that you don't want to go to a party).  It would be really tacky for someone to question you about your choice, so make sure you don't put yourself in a position where someone won't respect your decision.



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Lilykind


Hermes

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At this point I'm planning on going. However, I'm planning on giving my two weeks notice on Friday (the same day as the party) because I can't handle the people at work anymore...does that make it awkward that I'm going to the party or no?


 


 



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lynnie


Chanel

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RE: Do I HAVE to go to my company Christmas party? *UPDATE*
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Lilykind wrote:

At this point I'm planning on going. However, I'm planning on giving my two weeks notice on Friday (the same day as the party) because I can't handle the people at work anymore...does that make it awkward that I'm going to the party or no?    
can you wait til monday?  yes, i think it will make it awkward.

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bumblebee


Coach

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YES!!! wait until monday.  or tuesday would be even better. 

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Lilykind


Hermes

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I went Firday night. Ugh...what a waste and not even more BF to come as moral support!I was one of the last people there at 8:30. Since they were serving dinner, I was stuck there for a good two hours. I finally left at 11:30.


I'm giving in my two weeks tomorrow...I'm so over my job.


 



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