The Office Christmas party. What do you do?

[Sue-Ram]

In previous years we’ve just gone out to a restaurant for lunch so it was easy to just eat and leave. This year we’re doing a formal party with another company on a Friday night, banquet hall dinner and DJ. I have no interest in going, I don’t drink and I’m not going to kick off my heels and dance like a white girl.

[CraftHer]

I don't like these kinds of things, either. Especially with another company. How important is it that you go? Is it frowned upon if you don't go? I wonder if you could still go and duck out after the dinner. Once the drinking and white girl dancing starts, they won't notice you're not there. Just don't trip over all the kicked off shoes on your way out I would probably go with the intention of leaving early.

[shellbell]

If my work did something like that I definitely would not go. I've gotten to the point where I don't really care how it looks to my boss and co-workers for things like this, I am darn good at my job and take care of everything work related and then some, and that's all I'm committed to. Thankfully, for holidays we just do a lunch celebration, our boss will treat us and we all pitch in money to get her a gift, which I think is very nice and appropriate. But for me personally, if I did not want to go to an after hours celebration I would decline and not think twice about it.

[dogmom]

I understand your reluctance to attend. I do not drink alcohol and loud music/white girl dancing, yuk! However, do think we would attend, eat, make short small talk then leave.

[ZoeysMommy]

I am the odd girl out I guess, I love parties that include drinking, especially if theres an open bar and dancing like a white girl

If you dont want to go, then dont. After hour functions arent mandatory

[doubledip1]

I wouldn't go.

[Snowshoe]

For 15 years I worked shift work and the odd Christmas party we tried to have was a dismal failure since half of us had to be up early for the next morning or had been up early for the morning of the party, or both. Now I work from home, the head office is a two and a half hour drive one way and I don't go. Much nicer.

Think carefully though, about whether you will go. Yes, it's after hours, but stuff happens at those parties and no shows are often looked upon unfavourably. Office politics and life ain't fair.

[smartrock]

I end up going to those type parties because they are usually command appearances for my spousal unit. We go, make sure to say hello and thank you to the host, eat, drink or not, and leave before the dancing commences. Yes, they can be painful, but so can going to the dentist.

[kimbersmom]

I'd go, try and sit with people I like, make my husband dance with me a few songs, and escape if things started to get rowdy.

[arentspowell]

I'm with Zoeysmommy, I love parties! The fact that is with another office seems a little odd but it could be fun! I'd definitely go at least for the dinner and a little small talk and then duck out to finish off the evening on the couch with my puppies.