How to Conduct Yourself at an Office Party

By eHow Parties & Entertaining Editor

Rate: (3 Ratings)

Office parties are a strange mix of Christmas cheer and office politics. If you take it easy on the booze, you may be able to avoid most office party faux pas.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step1

Plan to go to the party. Even if office parties are not your cup of tea, you're part of the group and need to make an appearance.

Step2

Find out before the party what most people are wearing. You don't want to show up in a casual outfit if everyone else is dressed to the nines. Make sure your spouse or date has this information.

Step3

Be conservative in your dress if you are a woman. Shockingly short dresses or plunging necklines are not appropriate for this type of business occasion.

Step4

Get to the party on time, or shortly after it starts. Even if you only stay a short time, this is better than "popping in" at the end of the evening.

Step5

Be sure to acknowledge all of your co-workers, bosses and associates. Introduce your spouse or date, and include the spouses or dates of others in your conversations.

Step6

Avoid drinking too much. Over-indulging may be the number one cause of inappropriate remarks and behavior at office parties. Remember, you have to face all these people when you go back to work, so leave a good impression.

Step7

Avoid pigging out. Loading up your plate, grabbing handfuls of hors d'oeuvres or shoving down chips and clam dip does not present a flattering image.

Step8

Go along with games or other arranged activities.

Step9

Save gift-giving for another time unless everyone is exchanging gifts at the party. If you begin handing out gifts to your boss or associate when no one else is exchanging gifts, people will be uncomfortable.

Step10

Take a cab home or use a designated driver if you have been drinking.

Tips & Warnings

If you know you will be partaking of alcoholic beverages, eat a little something before you go to the party, or have some food when you get there - before you imbibe.
Be sure to thank the host or hostess before you leave the party. If the company paid for the party, thank your boss or the person in the office who arranged the party.
Before you bring your spouse or a date, make sure he or she is invited.
Never use or offer illegal drugs at an office party.

Comments

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Don't "vent" to your fellow employees ... ESPECIALLY about work. As sure as the sun rises, it will get back to someone in authority at work and can come back to haunt you.

Anonymous said

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on 1/9/2006 Avoid making shockingly sexist statements at your office party!
Good ideas are good ideas, regardless of gender.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 No matter how lame the party is, avoid sarcasm and eye-rolling. Participate and get outta there. You will have plenty of time to gripe and laugh with your friends when the party's over.

Anonymous said

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on 1/13/2006 If your office party runs from 7 until midnight, plan on leaving by 11 PM. This will prevent you from being the last drunken fool whooping it up on the dance floor when the lights come up, or being uncomfortably shoved into a cab among harsh, scornful looks.

Anonymous said

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on 1/13/2006 Act as if your every move, every comment, is being taped for a video montage at your next company meeting. It will stop you from going too crazy at the open bar (imagine an edited sequence of you getting your fifth drink), and keep you from making snide comments in the restroom.

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