to think that people should behave professionally at work events with alcohol...

[Virgowoo]

DH works for a large company who hosted a staff event last night, 7pm to 2am. Finger food was served early and then waiters served alcohol until early hours. He didn't drink as he was driving and usually takes the opportunity to socialise with bigwigs and network.

He reports the party was total bacchanalia, putting it mildy. At least three shit-faced women propositioned him, with hands. Including one who actually felt his balls. We've had a laugh about it today, it'll be forgotten and I completely trust him to behave whether he's had a drink or not.

AIBU to think these women are totally out of order and that is actually a sexual assault? If men were behaving like that, greivances would be made and possibly police involvement.

At what point did work parties evolve from a dinner dance with partners to a drink as much as you can free for all?

Was it a free bar? Because I've yet to see a work event with free drink turn into anything more than a beery bacchanalia. Quite why people have to drink everything that's not been nailed down I don't know. Perhaps a MN psychologist could assist?

I used to love those sorts of functions

No bar - waiter service brought free booze to tables.

Because life is frequently dreary, short, brutish and meaningless and on occasion people want to forget and devote themselves to wild abandon and primal frenzy in a bid to blot out and yet make bearable the endless unstoppable ennui?

At my company recently, someone was found dead on the train tracks after getting totally pissed at one of these events. There has been talk of alcohol being banned - but can't see it happening.

Any comments on acceptability of ball squeezing?

I dont recall ever doing any ball squeezing

I can't imagine any MNer ever doing any unwanted ball squeezing.

Hopefully the women will be really embarassed today on seeing him back in the office, that they made such an arse of themselves publicly.

And not to excuse it an anyway, but I've seen very reasonable people from my office morph into something else completey when its a free booze do - add alcohol = instant arsehole.

I know some drink for a bit of relaxation, de-stress and just don't know when to stop.

I think that the company should have made some proper food available to soak up all that booze!

Virgowoo - its great if your on the receiving end but a little grim if your the wife. (Only joing) Its obviously just a harmless bit of fun and your husband turned them all down. But i agree if a bloke went up to a women and grabbed her crotch there would be hell to pay.

There were a number of colleagues to scrape up and pour in through their front doors.

That's what I thought - there should have been a proper dinner. Can't make people have some sense though.

"At what point did work parties evolve from a dinner dance with partners to a drink as much as you can free for all?"

For as long as I can remember this has always been the case. Formal dinner dances are not popular where I work. I have been on loads of boozy shindigs, although I am a bit of a lightweight as far as drinking goes and am usually the observer rather than the partaker.

The ball squeezing was out of order. If it had been a drunk man squeezing a woman's breasts then there would be hell to pay, I don't see why it's any different because the sexes are reversed.

Actually, I hope the ball squeezer isnt an MNer. This makes me (and him) very identifiable if she is.

Totally out of order. It speaks volumes about the women involved and there'd be hell to pay if it was a bloke groping a woman's boobs.

Having been in personel departments dealing with the fall out from drinking too much at work dos I NEVER do! I save it for home.

He is perfectly entitled to report it - it is sexual assault.

Sounds horrible :(

What chaotic said.

Unacceptable IMO