How to Have Fun -- and Keep Your Job -- at the Office Holiday Party
By Jenny Everett, SELF Magazine
Getting hammered at the office holiday party is clearly a bad idea since, technically, the bash is an extension of your job. That said, we've all known people who've had unprofessional moments at office shindigs -- and some of us have even been there ourselves (it involved Jagerbombs and a promotion plea).
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So how do you relax and have fun without risking your rep, and maybe even make some valuable new connections along the way? We spoke to experts to find out.
Start the Night With a Mocktail
"The worst thing you can do is attend a party without a plan," says New York City personal trainer Jenny Skoog. "My advice is to have a healthy snack pre-party, order a sparkling water (add a splash of cranberry and a lime wedge and no one will know the difference!), and take in the scene." Then move on to the bar. Throughout the night, follow up each cocktail with a glass of sparkling water.
Mingle, Mingle, Mingle
Don't spend the evening speaking to the same people you hang out with at work. "This is the time to introduce yourself to the CEO and senior managers," says Sue Fox, author of Etiquette for Dummies and founder of Etiquette Survival. "If you're applying for a job in another department, take this time to introduce yourself to the department head and others in the organization." Fringe benefit: You'll probably meet some cool new people.
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Bonus tip:"Hold your drink in your left hand so that your handshaking hand is not wet and cold," says Fox.
Know Your Limits
The worst thing you can do is judge your alcohol intake based on those around you -- especially if there are a lot of hollow-legged Don Draper types. According to Timothy S. Harlan (a.k.a. Dr. Gourmet), M.D., medical director of Tulane University's School of Medicine, women have less total body water than men, so their blood alcohol concentration will be higher with fewer drinks consumed.
So, sip based on your tolerance and skip booze that makes you especially crazy (gin for us!). Go into the night knowing your limits, and keep track of your intake by sticking a cocktail napkin in your pocket each time you belly up to the bar. Here's a handy calculator to help you determine, based on your weight and type of alcohol, how many drinks it takes to put you over the legal limit.
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Resist Sexual Advances
Getting too cozy with a co-worker could cost you your job -- resist his advances and refrain from making advances of your own. "Say that you're flattered but not available," says Fox. "It's not necessary to say, 'I don't see chemistry,' or engage in a long conversation about why you're not interested." If you are interested, resist the advances for the night and take some time to think about how striking up an in-office relationship might affect your career.
Order Smart
Wine is a good choice, because you're likely to slip slowly. Or go with bubbly: A study published last year in the British Journal of Nutrition found that champagne may give our bodies an antioxidant boost similar to that of red wine. We love this recipe for a Ginger Champagne Cocktail (see photo above). If you go with a mixed drink, don't just say you want a "weak" cocktail, be specific: "I want a 4:1 ratio of mixer to booze."
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Don't Overstay Your Welcome
If the majority of the guests have already left, head for the door. It's always good to quit while you're ahead (i.e. haven't said anything you'll regret tomorrow!) If you want to take the party elsewhere, plan in advance to meet some friends or co-workers who are at your level at a nearby bar.
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Photo Credit: Condé Nast Digital Studio
