Excruciating situation that I had DEFINITELY NOT thought through. What am I going to do?!

[Diditopknot]

Absolutely delighted to have landed myself a dream job that is just amazing and life changing.
Before I tell you my issue I need to tell you that I suffer from a degree of social anxiety.

I never EVER go to works do’s, party’s, weddings, leaving do’s birthday parties, pubs…ever. I don’t drink alcohol, I don’t own any “going out clothing”.
I’m considerably overweight, old and very introvert.

I have been invited by my new employer to a “company meeting “ which takes place in a hotel over 2 days. Very keen to attend, can’t wait to get started with this amazing opportunity.

The info about the “meeting “ arrived, all good until I get to the bottom… You are invited to dinner at said hotel, meet at 7pm for cocktails, Meal at 8pm, dress code ….1920’s Gatsby “
The whole thing, hotel & train tickets all paid for by the company.

What the fuck am I going to do?
It is so far removed from what I feel comfortable with,
There’s no way I would ever agree to going to something like this!!!!

I have a feather hair clip thing that is very Gatsby - bought for a fancy dress do but I can't remember
wearing it! Happy to send it to you OP :)

@OVienna
Not like that at all. It was mostly training made fun. We had to complete certain 'training credits' every year to keep our certifications active (profession related as opposed to job related) so we did these as a team. We really enjoyed them as the team rarely got together (multi locations globally). And we always did a fun/voluntary activity - cleaning up beaches in the US, building bikes for children, running food banks for a day, teaching, working on animal sanctuaries- very varied, always a feel good factor, others benefitted and we enjoyed it. Always competitive though.... (we were - not forced upon us)

No judging, no nonsence. Top restaurants, wine tasting, cookery lessons. The only doen side for me were the (often) themed dinners but was worth the hassle.

I miss it - I got to see places and do things I'd never have been able to do

Oh dear OP, really feel for you it sounds horrendous!

All I can say is that almost everyone is going to look like a complete idiot all dressed up, but some of them are going to love it and will be showing off and all eyes will be on them.

I'm sure you will identify a group of fellow sufferers and will be able to cringe invisibly into the background.

If you can get through this OP, you can do anything!

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I mean ….with a feather thing in my hair..,

Tidy

I really think some posters are being a bit dramatic. Quit your job? Really? This is ias big a deal as OP wants to make of it. It needn't be that big a deal.

@Choclover27 just so love your idea of treating “in laws” as business clients etc - ingenious x

Nessa rocks! Bang tidy!

May be too late, but I work at loads of these and people generally fall into 2 camps- those that go all out and look like they have hired an original costume, and those that throw on a basic black dress with a hair band and a string of beads and that’s it, I am usually pretty much the latter and that’s working there!