To have walked out of my work Christmas party in favour of dining alone

That’s what I thought. Can you text someone and say you hope they all enjoy the evening, but you had to dash?

Good for you.
I’d have done the same.
Life’s just too short, isn’t it.
What have you got on your plate? 🤤
I fancy a delicious Turkish meal myself and I’m not even at an excruciating works do.

I used to have to organise the bloody things, so always had to go. If it flopped it was on me. If someone no-showed after confirming (and meal being included in the numbers), it was on me. If the food was shit or wrong (and what mass catered food is good?) or the wine wasn’t on the tables or chilled enough, it was on me. If the directors didn’t like their hotel rooms, it was on me.

No doubt OP walking out would have been on me too, somehow.

Utterly stressful, I hated it. Never ever take a job where you’ll be the organiser! Least of all because you can’t decline.

I don't go either. Not "never" but very infrequently. Nobody has commented on it.

As I said above, I am not egotistical enough to think that anyone cares, or misses my presence! There are plenty of colleagues who do go and have a good time!

Agreed. Goodness the angst over work parties! Why do some people want to force others to socialise with them? It makes no sense at all.

I never go. Never been commented on.

Maybe the OP speaks to them - you know, at work?

Those going on about people wondering where the OP was are obviously quite egotistical. I wouldn't expect anyone to notice an early exit by me unless it was a very small group!

Haha love this... yes good on you 👏

Are u taking the piss? The world's not THAT small.

What exactly were/are you hoping to achieve by your post. Just carry on being as big headed as you are coming over in this post you will go far

Well I will join you OP in the bah humbug club. In my younger people-pleasing days I wouldn’t have done it, but as I’ve hit middle age, my whole outlook has changed. If your boss couldn’t be bothered to attend the office Xmas party, I doubt your Employer will think less of you. It sounded as dull as dishwater. I’m a big introvert and I’m not good at those sort of things either. The peaceful meal at the Turkish restaurant sounded a much better option! In reality, once drinks were flowing, I doubt people would’ve noticed you’d left.

Totally agree.

On a hysterical site, this thread is hilariously batshit.

Have never read such utter rubbish.
Some really nasty posts too attacking the OP.

OP, you sound lovely, I really hope you haven't paid any attention to the saddos on this thread trying to give you a kicking.🙄

So many posters absolutely hate any woman ever being in command of herself.🙄

You shouldn't have gone tbh especially being a new job

Honestly this is bizarre OP.

People might be wondering where you vanished to and if you’re ok?

I’m curious whether you rub people up the wrong way in real life…

Anyway, yeah, I think just leaving was kinda strange and rude and not a great move particularly when you’re new.

I’d be interested in updates from when you’re back at work 😁😁

No wonder no one spoke to you at the party! 🙄

But how do you expect to get to know your colleagues a bit better by leaving? I would have stayed a little while then made my excuses.

She did - she stayed for an hour and a half!

You can make your own choice I would have done the same. I've no time for small talk of lack of entertain,ent or lack of food. Who does that at a Christmas function! I would have walked too!

I would have done the same thing.

Me neither. It 's not leaving at 7.30 that's odd.

Well she has. Starting this thread about something so mundane is strange.

"I'd keep it vague and act like it never crossed your mind that you'd done anything strange -"

Well she hasn't done anything strange.

I’ve done similar, early start tomorrow, ‘dogs home alone, must fly…..’ Absolutely don’t blame you.

Did you manage to escape today’s too. What workplace inflicts more than one on its teams?! Cruel!

These days I just refuse in advance, I tell everyone I’m extremely anti-social and couldn’t care less about their opinion of that.

I admire you. But how do you expect to get to know your colleagues a bit better by leaving? I would have stayed a little while then made my excuses.

Office Christmas parties and the like are really Old Hat and high time they were dismissed. These are colleagues not family: you HAVE to tolerate them because that's what you're paid for in order for the organisation to function, but Hell no you shouldn't be expected to socialise with them.

Especially if they are mostly a bunch of throat-cutting, back-stabbing company androids/arses.

Work cultures vary a lot. It's good that your boss wasn't there; they can hardly fault you for not going/staying if they didn't. Someone else MAY have noticed and asked about you during the party - I'm sure I saw Changey; where's she gone?" - but it's also possible they won't notice or they'll assume you had to leave early and maybe told whoever you were with at the time and they didn't remember to pass it on. And if you were alone when you decided to leave, there's no obligation to tell anyone given that it sounds like it wasn't a formal RSVP event.

I'd just be prepared with what you're going to say if someone does ask. I'd keep it vague and act like it never crossed your mind that you'd done anything strange - yes, I was there, wasn't it nice! Did you have good time?