How to Conduct Yourself at an Office Party

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.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Go along with games or other arranged activities.

9. 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.

10. 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.

[tltfaas]

on 1/23/2008 Another great article about office parties is one that Lydia Ramsey wrote that helps you prepare for the office party. You can find it at http://www.mannersthatsell.com/articles/ninequestionsparty.html

on 1/13/2006 For parties that begin shortly after the work day ends, do show your flair for understanding the difference between office and party attire by adding a special something.
For men, this might mean slipping on a cashmere sweater with your dress slacks or adding a jacket.
For women, bring a small evening handbag instead of lugging your usual work tote along to the party, add more make-up, or some jewelry.

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.

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.

on 1/9/2006 Before you go, think of some neutral but interesting things to talk about. That way, if the conversation dies off, or gets weird, or you need to save face in a hurry by changing the subject, you've got a way to handle it.
Consider taking 30 minutes to scan the newspaper or Internet for an anecdote or current events, or finding some industry-relevant story.