to not go on the Christmas Work Night Out?

[PlasticinePolly]

I've just spent £200 on getting the boiler fixed which has eaten into my Christmas budget somewhat :(

Work Christmas night out involves set meal (£30) and drinks in poncy bar which I would never normally go to as a) it's not my scene and b) it's very expensive. So including taxi's the whole night could potentially set me back £70.

I'd rather spend the money on a day trip out with my family or something, but feel that I'm being a miserable bah humbug type by not going. Especially as I'm also not taking part in the office secret santa.

AIBU?

[scaryjane]

YANBU,although could you just go for meal and drive?

[fivalentine]

no yanbu.

[atswimtwolengths]

Why don't you give it a miss, but take part in the office Secret Santa instead?

I'm in the same position - someone's organised the Christmas meal in a restaurant which is five minutes away from her own house. I will have an hour's drive home to change, then an hour and a half's drive to the restaurant, no alcohol and an hour and a half's drive back again. I'm very tempted to give it a miss.

[LetThereBeRock]

YANBU. I hate work night outs. You shouldn't feel that you have to go if you don't want to.

[Starbuck999]

YANBU - if you can't afford it, just don't go.

atswimtwolengths - Why not ask your collegue if you can stay at her house? Why do you need to drive home to chnage after work? If you have your car just take your going out clothes and get changed and do makeup at work - that's what we always do!

[atswimtwolengths]

She smokes like a chimney, Starbuck and I hate smoking - I've been to her house before and it makes me feel ill.

The meal is at 8pm and we can finish work at 4pm - there isn't anyone whose house I'd want to go to, to be honest - which answers my own question about whether I should go that night!

It's no fun without having a drink and (as has been said on another thread) I'd end up having to split the bill so that I paid for their drink, too. And they drink a hell of a lot.

[upahill]

No in over 25 years of working for the company I work for I went on my first leaving do this year and last year our team of 5 went out for a curry for Christmas but I didn't go to the departmental do.

I'm always busy.

It isn't in your contract to attend so don't bother.

[strandeadatsea]

YANBU at all.

But can I go for you? I haven't worked for 5 years and I would love a night out with a whole load of adults I knew well who didn't all have children or babies.

I miss work.

[bettymoody]

how fecking dull you are
get a life ourside your family

[PlasticinePolly]

I would still have to pay for parking scary (it's in the city centre).

Strictly speaking I can afford it, but may have to miss out on other plans to be able to afford it IYSWIM

[upahill]

bettymoody eh???

[bettymoody]

you seem to be saying "I dont want to go out I want to stay with my kids"
i am STRONLGY of the opinion everyone needs life beyond the home
it keeps/makes you interesting
GO!

[upahill]

Oh I love the secret santa!!

What is the price limit? Ours is £15.00 so we have to be really creative.

[PlasticinePolly]

I have a life outside my family already betty. I have lots of friends that aren't work friends and I've got lots of plans to go out with them already over Christmas. I'm definitely not cancelling these nights out as they will be infinitely more fun :)

[upahill]

I agree with you Betty about having a life away from home. BUT I would argue if you are going to spend that amount of money I would be going out and getting pissed/eating/ whatever with my mates rather than people I see nearly every day and don't want to hang out with in my spare time!

[coodles]

I would forget about the meal, but definitely do the Secret Santa - not too expensive and you are at least showing willing by taking part?

[create]

Don't go to the do if you don't want to, although IME they're always more fun than you think they'll be, but it's a bit miserable to not do Secret Santa. Why not?

[PussinJimmyChoos]

I am not going on the work night out because I rather dislike the management and thought of having to sit with them and pretend to like them is eughhh!!

Also, the majority vote is always for these awful places that sound good value for money but actually, is shitty food and copious amounts of booze...I am a foodie and I don't drink..would rather spend my money on a nice meal with family

YANBU

[Hulababy]

I am not going on my work Christmas meal. It is on an evening I already something planned. TBH I am not really into big work things anyway, although do go to the smalle year group one, just not often a big full staff one.

[Dracschick]

Bettymoody you are really quite outspoken

[bettymoody]

LOl

[PlasticinePolly]

Create - I've been on many Xmas nights out with this workplace and they're not all that much fun TBH.

[upahill]

I like my colleagues but I don't want to hang out with them. I didn't turn up at my own leaving do a couple of years ago. I went to see Metallica instead with my mates and DH. Now THAT was a night!!!

[bettymoody]

so why are you asking hten?
you know its a crap night out. shall i go on a crap night out?
sheesh