Work xmas parties - why do i waste my money?!

[LaraJade]

AIBU to think i won't go to another work party after tonight? Ward politics, bitching, DJ (like most men) ignored my requests, and of course having the ward manager's best mate giving me evil looks as usual. I could have spent the money on presents, as the friends i do have at work are mates i see socially anyway.
I have BDP (recent diagnosis + hard to accept) which doesnt help cos i get paranoid very quickly. I don't know who to trust at work. So AIBU to avoid work parties + just see close friends + family?

YANBU at all. Work parties can be the work of the devil.

YANBU I stayed at home with my family feeling v smug. No late night struggle to get home, no hangover and I saved money.

Ours are crap and we are not allowed to not go. Enforced jollity, you have to love it!

I don't bother with them any more. I hate them.

I also work in the NHS.

Yes. Hangover. That's what i have now. Maybe AIBU to have hated the party as all wine was free and no-one forced me to drink 2 bottles instead of 2 glasses.
Anyone know a cure for still feeling pissed now please..?

My department is huge but they seem to have given up on Xmas parties. I can only think myself lucky.

Hell no, YANBU. I'm not a 'joiner' work Christmas parties are the work of the devil for me.

YANBU as you say you socialise with the people your friends with and to all the others I would say 'I work with you, I don't want to socialise with you as well'

Work parties were dreamed up to make you appreciate Christmas with the family.

I've vowed never again after the last one I went to a couple of years ago.

It was £20 a ticket, we arrived ten minutes late and all the free drinks had gone, prices at the bar were ridiculous (no hangover cos I couldn't afford to get pissed).

Then this sleazy guy decided to try it on with me all night -I ended up being quite blunt with him to get rid of him. He waited til the end of the night, by which time he'd pulled someone else, to tell me what an arsehole he thought I was!

Everybody was really, really drunk. Two of the line managers were found snogging in the corner. Which would have been fine if they weren't both married to other people, one of whom was there but drunkenly oblivious!

Never never never again!

YANBU - I am very happily working a 13 hour shift (rare overtime opportunity!) so other people can go on the works do today. Peace + extra money = me

Ours are generally a nightmare - spending all night with as bunch of folk you wouldn't choose to spend your lunch hour with. Instead the couple of us who are friends are going on a pub crawl tonight - I intend to get very drunk

My motto on this issue is

I have to work with these people (mostly who I don?t like) I certainly don?t have to socialise with them
Never go to them as the back stabbing at work is enough for me without spending money to go out with them ? I also work in the NHS?

I'm sick today so will unfortunately miss mine, which I am obviously devastated about since it has come to light that the 'top secret location' of the party is, um, the office. It will be pure comedy. I've asked for photocopies photos.

You pay for your Christmas parties?

Good lord, what happened to the season of goodwill? I was at a restaurant last night where a table of about 30 was obviously a works christmas party. The boss picked up the bill at the end, £6,500! The staff looked very happy (and drunk!). Now I want to work for that company1

£6500?! Wow.

I've found that it depends on the financial situation of your colleagues. If you work with people who've got a bit of cash (or like to spend it whether they have it or not!) you're shunned for not being able to shell out £25 per ticket (and then there's the 'oh, what new/frock/shoes/bra have you bought?'. If you can't afford to join in you're 'tight' and 'no fun' .

I've got a playgroup one tonight, all parents who've not got shedloads of cash to lard about and who like a giggle. I'm ludicrously excited !

I've managed to get out of work Christmas parties for the last 5 years.

I loathe them.

And I'm not a bah humbug type at all, I just think these events are crazy.

When I worked for one large company they actually had (private) ambulances on standby for major parties as they knew staff would get so drunk they would be ill. I thought that was disgusting then, and I still do now.

And I love a good drink me - but not to that state.

I'm with the small drinkies / lunches with people you actually like.

I haven't been on a works do in years.

I like my colleagues but I see enough of them in work.

When the date of the do is announced I always have a slightly sad look on my face as I say ' Oh no!! That's when.....family are coming round/I've arranged a girls night at mine/whatever.
(always remember to vary excuse)

I work in the NHS and am currently on maternity leave. I hate work Christmas parties with a passion, all the feckin politics & being told who I am sitting next to by silly little girls (actually women in their 40s & 50s) who organise the table plan so they can sit in their stupid little cliques & bitch about everyone else. Mind you, in that respect they probably did me a favour as I woldn't want to sit with them anyway! Thankfully being on mat leave means I am excused from spending £80 for me & DH to attend this ridiculousness this year as I now have much more important things to do like change nappies & play with my gorgeous daughter & then watch crap telly when she's in bed :)

Next year I'm sure I'll have enormous trouble finding a babysitter. And the year after that. And the year after that...

OP I have BPD and am happy to chat to you about it if you wish, it shouldn't be hard to accept it makes sense once you have the diagnosis, because before that you always ask yourself why you do certain things.

Paranoia is a bitch isn't it!

£25 quid for tickets ?

More like £40 and that's before you pay the inflated bar prices.

Freebies on the NHS ? Errm ,nope, never, not ever.

I don't even bother to make an excuse, tbh. I just say no, can't be arsed.

I was spoilt by working for a company that took Christmas parties VERY seriously. Black tie, three course meal, dancing and free bar until 1am, then overnight and breakfast in the fancy hotel venue. Absolutely free for employees and partners.

Now I'm freelance my work party is at home, in my jimjams.

And we have learned the hard way that DH's parties are definitely not worth the effort and expense.

I would only go to it if it was free

I like casual meals out with my work crowd at Christmas, but run a mile from formal evening dos in hotels. Waste of money and hate coming home from work and then having to dress up and go back out to meet the same people I've been with all day. Yuk.