It’s holiday season. Employers want to show their appreciation to their employees for their hard work and loyalty. However, for some employees it is a dreadful event that forces them to socialize with people who they spend far too much time with during business hours and beyond.
If you fall into that category, change your perspective and embrace the many advantages of the office tradition. It is a great way to network and meet people outside of your immediate team. It is the perfect opportunity to increase your visibility and make a good impression. Why not, introduce yourself to the C-Suite executives?
Many people get the rules of etiquette for these events confused.
Your behavior is being observed and any lapses in judgment may impact your next annual review. If you get sloppy drunk or engage in unwanted sexual advances you not only do harm to your reputation, but also endanger your employment.
Before the holiday office party season goes into full swing, brush up on some basic etiquette.
- Arrive on time. It is exceptionally rude to arrive late.
- Unless specifically stated, don’t assume a plus one is allowed
If guests are allowed, make sure you prep your guest on your office’s corporate culture. His or her behavior is a direct reflection on you. - Eat before you go
Even if lobster is on the menu, it’s not your last meal. And never ask for a doggie bag! - Have TWO drinks maximum
Don’t risk your job or reputation because the champagne is flowing.
A good friend, who worked at a Fortune 500 company, shared a classic office party no, no story.“Our Office was finally coming together. We had some new employees and the holiday office party was the perfect way to bring us all together to celebrate all the hard work we’d done all year. It was an intimate setting with about 40 of us. The music was great and the drinks were flowing. I was standing with my boss when someone we weren’t familiar with came over, drink in hand and very talkative and animated. As soon as he opened his mouth, we knew he already had too much to drink. He begins pointing out a woman and loudly speaking about her large breasts. “Wow, look at her, I bet she’s hot in the bedroom!” It was hard for our mouths not to drop open, but we did our best. He managed to put his foot deeper into his mouth. “She’s a fox!” “I’d love to have se% with her…..”We immediately walked with him out into the hallway to help get himself together.Later the next day, we learned that he was speaking about the Boss’ niece who was an employee. YIKES!
Even later that day, he learned that he was now on administrative probation! Double YIKES!!He kept his job and learned a very valuable lesson.” “Think Before You Drink”
- Hold your glass or plate in your left hand.
- Leave your phone in your pocket or handbag. Do not spend the evening texting.
It sends the message that the event and the people are not important to you. - Bring business cards
Holiday parties are excellent networking events. If you meet someone new, who you find interesting, then by all means, exchange business cards and make a concerted effort to stay in touch. - If you, like most people, do not possess the natural oratory skills of Oprah, prepare in advance three noncontroversial topics to discuss.
Taboo Topics
- Politics
At the moment, this topic is a tinderbox. It is not worth potentially getting into a contentious argument with a coworker.Ben Franklin said, “If you argue and rankle and contradict, you may achieve a victory; but it will be an empty victory because you will never get your opponent’s good will.”Remember, you still have to work with these people. - Personal Matters
It is not the time to reveal your pending divorce or most recent colonoscopy. - Business
This advice might seem like an oxymoron, given that I said it is still a business event. The point of the event is that management wants to acknowledge your hard work. It is not meant to be an offsite, after hours conference. - Gossip
If you know people are engaging in an inappropriate office romance, keep it to yourself. If you are talking about people behind their backs then the person listening is going to wonder what you are saying behind his back. - Your guilty pleasure of watching The Real Housewives of (fill in a city).
Let others bring up popular culture first. - The Weather
It could quickly devolve into a spirited debate about climate change. - Work complaints
- Personal questions
The most egregious violation of etiquette is “How much money do you make?”
Winning Topics
- Holiday travel plans
- Children
Keep in mind, people without children or those who do not have children around the same age as yours, do not care about your daughter’s soccer game. - Broadway shows, concerts, opera, books and major sporting events recently attended
We live in a self-obsessed, Kim Kardashian, culture where people feel the need to constantly talk about themselves. - If you get bored, after 8-10 minutes, politely remove yourself from the conversation.
“Excuse me but I must go to the restroom” is always a safe choice. However, make sure you actually go to the restroom.
- Don’t monopolize the conversation
“The less you say in a conversation, the more people will find you interesting.” Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People - Introduce people to one another and highlight an interesting fact about them to aid conversation.
- Respect someone’s personal space.
- Feel free to dance, but leave the dance offs and twerking to your living room.
- Treat the holiday party as a mandatory event
If you legitimately cannot attend (because you will be out of the country) it is important to immediately send your regrets to the host. You should explain why you cannot attend. - You don’t have to stay the total three to four hours. Two hours is sufficient.
- Personally thank the host as you leave – most people don’t so you’ll make an impression.
- Do not flirt with coworkers or the wait staff.
- Do not engage in PDA (Public Display of Affection) with your plus one.
- Refrain from stepping outside for a smoke
Some people are allergic to cigarette and cigar smoke - Avoid chewing gum.
- Ask permission of others before taking and posting photos.
Now that you have mastered the nuances of holiday business etiquette, go out and enjoy yourself!
Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season!
Warm regards,
Tami Claytor
