OFFICE PARTY DOS AND DON'TS

OFFICE PARTY DOS AND DON’TS

What are the current office party dos and don’t? I’m a long way from Oregon where holiday parties are called Christmas parties and everyone ends up dirty dancing under the mistletoe and not showing up at the office the next morning. Now that I’m an officer at corporate headquarters I want to act the part even at the office party. Help this country hick assimilate.

–Socially Ignorant in Manhattan

We’ve put together guidelines for Office Party Dos and Don’ts for you, because whether you’re dreading your first office party or you’re a veteran party animal, office parties take on a different ambience and preparation takes a certain amount of thought and planning.

Gentlemen’s Holiday Party Code

Do mange to pull yourself together with a fresh shave and haircut, and do pull up those socks.

Wear a collared long sleeve shirt, and if required, a freshly presses coat (jacket) and tie.
Shine those leather shoes.
Clip those nasty fingernails, floss those teeth and check for debris in your mustache and beard.
You think that nobody will notice the coffee stain on your shirt, but they will.

Office Parties are an observation deck for anyone hoping to climb higher on the corporate ladder.

Dress for the position in the company that you aspire to in the future. If your goal is to become management, dress the way your bosses dress.

*Don’t wear white socks, unless you’re a tennis coach.

*Do tuck in your shirt tails.

*Don’t have sex with your boss. It very rarely leads to a raise or promotion. Or any married colleagues, because word always gets out.

Ladies’ Holiday Party Code

*Do wear that red dress you bought for holiday parties, if it doesn’t show too much bare skin.

After all, you don’t want to be the object of a coworker’s affections while auditioning for advancement in the company.

*Do be well-groomed, if you’re not a rock star, cover the tattoos and go easy on the piercings, if you want to be taken seriously at your job and are planning, What’s next for me?

*Don’t get caught under the mistletoe giving or receiving a goodnight kiss.

Everybody’s Dos and Don’ts

*Do make the office party a time for you to shine and take full advantage of the option to talk to people you don’t talk to on a daily or weekly basis.*Don’t bring a plus one, whether it’s your sister or husband, you can see them another time, this is a chance to introduce yourself to people you want to meet or get to know better.

Bringing a plus one means you’re either insecure or you aren’t interested in widening your circle of associates so, circulate and socialize.

*Do be sure to snack before the party so you’re not caught by your boss at the groaning board with a mouth too full to talk.

The snack will have coated your stomach if you’ve had too much to drink.
Pace yourself by drinking a glass of water before imbibing every alcoholic drink.

*Do keep on your feet and circumnavigate the party space. Seated and not on your feet will make you appear less approachable.

*Don’t interrupt two people talking. Stand on the sidelines and wait to be recognized or encouraged to join in on the conversation.

Or find a grouping of more than two people.

*Do introduce yourself by sticking out your hand and saying, “Hi, Didi Lorillard, what’s your name?” Even if think the person might know your name, make sure they do by introducing yourself. Repeat their name to them so you know you’ve got it straight.

*Don’t shake hands longer than six seconds.

It can be annoying when someone starts pumping your hand.

*Do be sure your right hand isn’t cold and wet from holding a drink, by keeping your drink in your left hand.

If your hands are naturally sweaty, brush your palms against your side to dry them.

*Don’t forget good manners and introduce a loner into your group. It never costs anything to be polite.

*Do use people’s names in conversation so that everyone in the group learns the names.

It’s an especially polite thing to do when you’re not sure who knows whom.

*Don’t get stuck with a complainer. It’s polite to move on and circulate after saying, “Hey, there’s someone I promised to catch up with,” and walk away.

*Do take the loner newcomer with you to the bar to refresh your drink and introduce him or her along the way and when you get there.

*Don’t forget to thank the host or hosts for the party and remind them of your name and what you do, if you don’t think they would remember you.

*Do respect the timeframe of the party. If it’s over at eight o’clock, leave at least five minutes early. No one should be the last person standing at the bar.

*Don’t gossip or say anything unkind about anyone as you never know who may be listening.

*Do be sure to get to work on time the morning after the party or they’ll suspect that you’re a drunk.

Act smart at an office party by asking your coworkers about themselves, their families, and holiday plans,
You can even use the opportunity to set up a work related conversation over lunch or on a call at another time.
Many of us simply don’t enjoy talking shop at the shop while attending a social gathering, so ask for their calling card or offer yours to them. Look at theirs earnestly before making a comment and placing it on you or in your bag.

Do be a friendly guest but Don’t publicly paw all over somebody — no matter how well you know them or how much you like them. Most important:

Not everyone likes to be pawed over in public.
After the six second handshake, keep your hands to yourself.
Resting your hand on someone’s shoulder or holding them around the waist at an Office Party could make the recipient of your affection feel extremely uncomfortable.
BroHugs should be fast — as in the Obama hug.
Kisses are best stopped as a quick peck on the cheek.