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Original poster

To plan on getting quite drunk at my work Christmas party?

234 replies

Anon00 · 05/12/2024 09:54

I’m started working as a nurse about 4 months ago. Next week is my teams work night out. Our ward is split into 4 teams and mines is definitely filled with the youngest people. Our band 6 really likes a drink and is quite a crazy lady I think and people really like her for it.
This is my first big girl job so I’ve never had a professional staff Christmas party before. Do people actually get super drunk or will I be embarrassing myself just by getting drunk?

OP posts:
HonoraBridge · 05/12/2024 12:26

Do not get drunk at a work event.

Trinity65 · 05/12/2024 12:27

Hell, No

Chenecinquantecinq · 05/12/2024 12:27

This is not the right forum to ask! I would say many Christmas parties its fine to get very drunk and embarrass yourself even. All part of the team bonding! Don't expect to find a realistic answer like that on here though 😂

x2boys · 05/12/2024 12:28

FergussSingsTheBlues · 05/12/2024 12:18

People don’t tend to get shitfaced at Christmas parties in their “big girl jobs”, no. Save that stuff for being with your mates.

Nurses certainly do .

MildredSauce · 05/12/2024 12:28

Going by your other post this morning, I don't think drinking is for you @Anon00

Aside from your newness to the role and your anxiety and such I'd also be concerned about your inability to be discrete. Surprised your other thread is still up considering the identifying information you've shared. And if you can't use your brain on a forum, you certainly can't do it when you're a few bottles in.

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GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 05/12/2024 12:29

The thing to do is to have enough to get a bit ‘merry’, but never so much that you’re completely rat-arsed, throwing up and making a complete tit of yourself.

honeylulu · 05/12/2024 12:30

Yikes, it's one thing having a tipple too many when you're caught up in the moment. (I have been there ...) Quite another to decide in advance that you will "get drunk" intentionally - that sounds like it could go terribly wrong. Pace yourself. It's nice to be able to enjoy a bit of merriment but work dos are not the right forum for crazy drunkenness. You could be jeopardising your job and your safety.

BunnyLake · 05/12/2024 12:31

JFDIYOLO · 05/12/2024 10:21

I get the impression you're very young.

I'm a veteran of a series of 1990s office Christmas parties, which I remember with great fondness. Some of the behaviour...
So fun at the time ... So much gossip ... Several reputations damaged, relationships destroyed, tested and started.

The stories were told for years to come.

A person would move locations - and the stories would come with them. 'Her?? Isn't she the one who ... ?'

Please be very careful. Personal safety - depending where you are, a falling down drunk young nurse may be a very tempting target.

HR is much more on the case for inappropriate behaviour now and you don't want to be the target of a 0900 Monday morning meeting.

And where careers especially in such a responsible field can be made or broken on reputation - how you behave will be remembered.

I had all of my work do’s before the internet and SM so it really was anything goes. Lots of getting off with colleagues (either snogging or sleeping) and no one batted an eyelid and it was gossip for two minutes (or not at all). But things are different now. These things can follow you on SM, especially if there are snap happy people there capturing the ‘fun’. It was a lot more carefree (and debauched, lol) in my day.

x2boys · 05/12/2024 12:32

Going by some of the posts I'm guessing some posters have never been on a ward night out ...

Howmanycatsistoomany · 05/12/2024 12:33

Go for it OP! I always enjoyed watching my some of colleagues make absolute tits of themselves at Christmas dos😂

AmICrazyToEvenBother · 05/12/2024 12:34

Jostuki · 05/12/2024 10:25

You'll say or do something embarrassing or worse say something nasty that will make you the target of petty gossip and become disliked by one, several or all of your colleagues.

Still, it does prove that nurses are underpaid is a myth if you can afford to drink copious amounts of alcohol just for the fun of it.

Why would she say something nasty? Embarrassing, yes, probably, but nasty is hardly a given! Perhaps you're judging others by your own standards! That comment about wages was totally unnecessary!

But OP, don't get shit faced, you haven been there long and you'll only regret it.

TallulahBetty · 05/12/2024 12:35

Whenever the topic of Xmas parties comes up at work, people STILL say 'omg remember 2011 when Lisa (not real name) got pissed and and did X'.

Similarly when people see her - 'OMG wasn't she the one who did X'.

Mud sticks.

x2boys · 05/12/2024 12:38

BunnyLake · 05/12/2024 12:31

I had all of my work do’s before the internet and SM so it really was anything goes. Lots of getting off with colleagues (either snogging or sleeping) and no one batted an eyelid and it was gossip for two minutes (or not at all). But things are different now. These things can follow you on SM, especially if there are snap happy people there capturing the ‘fun’. It was a lot more carefree (and debauched, lol) in my day.

Show quote history

This is true tbf my wild NHS nights out were all late 90,s early 00,s when I was single and we got away with so much more pre social media
Wild nights out still happen, but if you get some twat ,posting the pictures all over social media it spoil, s it for everyone.

Hobnobswantshernameback · 05/12/2024 12:39

What an odd thread.

pilates · 05/12/2024 12:42

Depends op, can you handle your drink?

If you get nasty and aggressive please don’t but if you are fun and not leggy drunk then why not.

Missmarymack2 · 05/12/2024 12:43

I worked as a nurse for years and no one ever got drunk at the Christmas party. Just didn’t feel comfortable. Better off reining it in in case you say something you regret the next day etc. These events are always quite strained I find. I can only really enjoy a few drinks comfortably with friends/family not colleagues. That’s just me personally.

NewFriendlyLadybird · 05/12/2024 12:46

Don’t. I got drunk at my first ever work party in my gap year. I still shudder to think of it, though it was decades ago and nothing to do with the career I have had since graduating.

Missmarymack2 · 05/12/2024 12:46

x2boys · 05/12/2024 12:28

Nurses certainly do .

Show quote history

this is not a blanket rule. Worked as a nurse for years and never saw a colleague drunk at any event.

Oblomov24 · 05/12/2024 12:47

I can't wait for our massive Christmas party tomorrow, meal and hotel stay. Many drinks and some dancing, I don't get silly or go OTT, but I love to have a good time.

Stowickthevast · 05/12/2024 12:50

Get drunk if everyone else is but don't snog anyone!

And don't be the drunkest person in the room.

Can't believe the amount of joyless answers on this thread!

BirthdeighParteigh · 05/12/2024 12:50

There are rules to this sort of thing. And you’ve not been there long enough to know the lay of the land. Take it easy and consider getting fucked up next year instead.

To plan on getting quite drunk at my work Christmas party?
Gaz98 · 05/12/2024 12:50

Think of a work party as work, get drunk with your own friends.

In hospitals there are always a few sleazy male consultants. If anything happens with them then it will be your reputation destroyed.

x2boys · 05/12/2024 12:55

Missmarymack2 · 05/12/2024 12:46

this is not a blanket rule. Worked as a nurse for years and never saw a colleague drunk at any event.

Show quote history

Well I have seen many as have others on this thread ,I'm not suggesting every nurse gets blind drunk but where I worked nghts out particularly Xmas nights out were legendary.

IJustWen · 05/12/2024 12:59

x2boys · 05/12/2024 11:49

Yes and much more ime.

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Isn't it awkward after?

MrsSunshine2b · 05/12/2024 13:02

Getting slightly tipsy and giggly is fine but getting messy drunk, don't do it. You want those people to take you seriously the next day.

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