Christmas party etiquette
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At many companies, the Christmas party is simply one of the fixtures of working life. Some people look forward to it; for others it’s a tiresome duty. To avoid being written off as the office outsider or oddball, you should accept the invitation if at all possible. It’s an invitation that comes with a certain challenge, too. A good showing at the Christmas party can open new doors and smooth your path. But conspicuous misbehaviour can just as easily wreck your chances. The following three tips should help you leave a good impression.
1. When it comes to alcohol, the key rule is: don’t drink too much! If you keep your drinking under control, you can say the same of yourself. If you take the festive drinking too far, though, you quickly risk leaving a bad impression – and, sadly, a lasting one. A faux pas in front of the boss, an embarrassing remark to a female colleague, and your reputation could be all but ruined. Go easy on the food, too, so you don’t give the impression that you’re out to stuff yourself at the company’s expense.
2. Keep some professional distance. Don’t forget that you’re celebrating with colleagues here, not with close friends. Being too pally can quickly come across as pushy. With colleagues you deal with every day, you can of course be a little more relaxed. With the boss, too, your behaviour can be a bit less formal, and the conversation may even drift into private matters now and then. But always remember: it’s your boss, not your best mate! If he invites you to use “du”, the informal German word for “you”, you can accept. The same goes for colleagues. Do keep an eye on how much they’ve had to drink, though, as they might want to take that offer back on the next working day.
3. Better to avoid flirting. There may well be a colleague you’ve had your eye on for quite some time. But the Christmas party isn’t the best time to make your move. Avoid any remarks that are too risqué, whatever you do, as they can quickly be taken as harassment. Anything that goes beyond a lively conversation is better postponed until after Christmas. Married colleagues are, of course, completely off limits. So hands off – there’s hardly a quicker way to make a bad impression.
Nobody’s perfect, and if you do put a foot wrong, you shouldn’t simply keep quiet about it. It’s better to apologise openly and honestly to the colleague concerned at work the next day.
Now it’s about time to get dressed up and set off for your Christmas party. And, most importantly: enjoy it!
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