How to Behave at the Office Holiday Cocktail Party (Christmas)

How you behave at your office holiday cocktail party may make or break your career and your reputation at work. While this does not mean you can't have fun, here's what you should keep in mind.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. How you should dress: For men, wear a suit and tie or a tuxedo if it is a black tie affair. For women, a classic black dress that does not reveal too much skin is the way to go. Stay away from mini dresses and plunging necklines. If the affair is a black tie event, women should wear a long gown. No matter what the affair, women should wear stockings.

2. How you should dance: Avoid dancing too close to anyone, too wild or sexy. Keep it clean on the dance floor or you could be the topic of conversation around the water cooler.

3. Alcohol consumption: Watch how many cocktails you are having. The more you drink, the more likely you will behave badly, insult someone or even make out with someone. Drinking too much could really spoil your reputation at the office in an instant. With camera phones in nearly every pocket, your actions could even be spread through the office in an email causing further embarrassment. If you know you can't stop at one or two drinks, don't have any. Stick to sodas and juices.

4. Food: Eat like a human. People are watching everything you do.

5. Handling the pass: Sometimes someone in your office will make a pass at you at the party. It could be very innocent or very naughty. Do your best to come out on top. Handle it professionally, swiftly and move on. The office party is not the time to start arguing or causing a scene. If you must address it, address it when you get back to the office. Contact your human resources department if you must.

6. Avoid Gossip: Office gossip can come back and bite you. Do what you can to cut it off immediately when it comes up and do it politely. If you have to escape, run to the bathroom.

Tips & Warnings

• A great exit strategy to an office party is a migraine. If you claim to be feeling sick, people may think you drank too much or will be expecting you to call in sick the next day!

[StarrySkye]

on 12/4/2008 Heee hee hee...I will be going to one of these tomorrow night...thanks for the advice

[RENorton]

on 12/4/2008 Excellent piece. Great advice on behaving oneself at an office party, especially when alcohol comes into play. I especially love Tips# 4 & 6. Thanks for sharing!

[Rockney]

on 12/2/2008 Great tips! 5*!

[SpiderWriter]

on 12/1/2008 Great post on behaving yourself at the holiday cocktail party. We all should keep this one in mind...."Alcohol consumption"...always good advice.

[mommashopper]

on 12/1/2008 I love step 6! I have learned that even if you are talking about let's say a family member....there are people looking to create a fuss! They will swear that you were talking about someone at your job! I think this is sound advice. Thanks for the article!