Harry
CibbuanoThe Dreaded Christmas Party
December 21st 2006 00:46
With Christmas around the corner and workplaces rife with end of year Staffies parties. Its reasonable to assume that for this time of year at some stage a fair portion of us will be drinking more than usual at completely inappropriate times.
Christmas parties are a cultural tradition in Australia within companies and businesses. Celebrating a successful year bonds employees, and within larger companies Chrismas parties help departments met and mingle with people in the same firm they might otherwise never interact with. They are supposed to be fun, frivololus, flirty, but not filthy.
Unfortunately, otherwise responsible co-workers with a few under the belt can become raucous, as a result of the alcohol lowering their inhibitions. 72% of Australia's adults claim their most embarressing moments to occur while they're intoxicated, and we advise one to exercise great care and restraint so that your most embarressing drunken occasion doesn't occur on at the company Christmas party. Sober colleagues will remember your behaviour, and naughtyness may damage your reputation at work - or worse.
Today and tomorrow I'll cover some of the basics for office Chistmas party ettique.
What to wear to an Office Christmas Party
Men - Check with the ladies (they always know what a man should wear) and the dress standard of the venue. If in doubt, try over dressed, rather than under. Dark trousers, pants or jeans, and a smart shirt are always a good safe option. Remember how to iron. Always ensure your shirt has a collar, just in case after the party you and a couple of the boys (or girls *winks*) hit the nightclubs. Some clubs won't let you in if your shirt doesn't have a collar. Make sure you're comfortable, there's a good chance you'll eat and drink a lot, and you don't want to split your pants.
Ladies - Unless you're in the porn industry, we do not believe a lot of skin is approriate at company Christmas parties. LBD's work well at Hens nights, but be careful of the impression they give at a company function. Check with the venue, but smart casual is usually the best bet for a function of this sort. Make sure you're wearing comfy shoes, as there's a good chance the night will wear on for some time, you'll be on your feet a lot, and you don't want black toenails from too-high hells, erm heels. Ensure you're going to be warm enough, the Australian summer weather has been less than predictable of late, you don't want your lips turning blue and your nipples behaving like headlights. It may be worth the inconvenience of toting around a wrap or light jacket to keep the shoulders warm.
What can you talk about... what should you avoid
Work is over - We realise that work may be a common interest point with others at the Christmas party, but this is your chance to really get to know one another. Work is better left at work. Let your hair down, and show what an interesting and attentive person you are by becoming acquainted with your colleagues on a social level. Bosses, supervisors and managers especially like to avoid the work topic, and it won't go down well with them to bring it up. They're trying to escape it too.
PC rules still apply - Politics, sex, toilet humour, religion, women, races... all those subjects which happen to include a barrage of bad jokes and can be touchy subjects should be avoided. Remember that outside of work, people still have feelings and opinions, and even though you might be watching your alcohol intake, everyone else may not be. Badly approached topics on these subjects may result in heated debates and personality mismatches. Avoid these at all cost. Try talking about the weather. I hear Mars is close by this time of year.
Check back tomorrow for some more pointers!
Christmas parties are a cultural tradition in Australia within companies and businesses. Celebrating a successful year bonds employees, and within larger companies Chrismas parties help departments met and mingle with people in the same firm they might otherwise never interact with. They are supposed to be fun, frivololus, flirty, but not filthy.
Unfortunately, otherwise responsible co-workers with a few under the belt can become raucous, as a result of the alcohol lowering their inhibitions. 72% of Australia's adults claim their most embarressing moments to occur while they're intoxicated, and we advise one to exercise great care and restraint so that your most embarressing drunken occasion doesn't occur on at the company Christmas party. Sober colleagues will remember your behaviour, and naughtyness may damage your reputation at work - or worse.
Today and tomorrow I'll cover some of the basics for office Chistmas party ettique.
What to wear to an Office Christmas Party
Men - Check with the ladies (they always know what a man should wear) and the dress standard of the venue. If in doubt, try over dressed, rather than under. Dark trousers, pants or jeans, and a smart shirt are always a good safe option. Remember how to iron. Always ensure your shirt has a collar, just in case after the party you and a couple of the boys (or girls *winks*) hit the nightclubs. Some clubs won't let you in if your shirt doesn't have a collar. Make sure you're comfortable, there's a good chance you'll eat and drink a lot, and you don't want to split your pants.
Ladies - Unless you're in the porn industry, we do not believe a lot of skin is approriate at company Christmas parties. LBD's work well at Hens nights, but be careful of the impression they give at a company function. Check with the venue, but smart casual is usually the best bet for a function of this sort. Make sure you're wearing comfy shoes, as there's a good chance the night will wear on for some time, you'll be on your feet a lot, and you don't want black toenails from too-high hells, erm heels. Ensure you're going to be warm enough, the Australian summer weather has been less than predictable of late, you don't want your lips turning blue and your nipples behaving like headlights. It may be worth the inconvenience of toting around a wrap or light jacket to keep the shoulders warm.
What can you talk about... what should you avoid
Work is over - We realise that work may be a common interest point with others at the Christmas party, but this is your chance to really get to know one another. Work is better left at work. Let your hair down, and show what an interesting and attentive person you are by becoming acquainted with your colleagues on a social level. Bosses, supervisors and managers especially like to avoid the work topic, and it won't go down well with them to bring it up. They're trying to escape it too.
PC rules still apply - Politics, sex, toilet humour, religion, women, races... all those subjects which happen to include a barrage of bad jokes and can be touchy subjects should be avoided. Remember that outside of work, people still have feelings and opinions, and even though you might be watching your alcohol intake, everyone else may not be. Badly approached topics on these subjects may result in heated debates and personality mismatches. Avoid these at all cost. Try talking about the weather. I hear Mars is close by this time of year.
Check back tomorrow for some more pointers!
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