to not go on the works xmas 'do', just because i dont want to?

[takataka]

it is on a friday, which is my day off, at lunchtime until...whenever, usually ends around midnight

I am already going out on the saturday with friends. I have kids activities on the saturday and sunday...and am just not feeling it this year. we have had alot of changes so i dont know half the people in the office. i work in a team of 6; only 1 of those is someone i would choose to spend time with...

oh...it would involve finding child care for dd2 and getting someone to have dd1 after school...

YANBU. Why do you feel you would be??

YANBU! I wouldn't want to go in your circumstance either.

YANBU at all. Just do not go. I am fiercely anti social at these things bloody hate them.

No. You don't have to go if you don't want to.

I would cite the problem with childcare and claim prior plans too ... but I would also probably take in a nice Christmassy cake the day before and try to have a cup of tea and a slice with everyone at lunch/break (if it's the sort of work place you can do that), just so you don't seem unsociable.

I hate these things too, always so forced!

YANBU. I am going to my works do this year but didn't bother going for the last two years because... well, I just didn't want to.

I pretty much never go. Our work parties in a bar/club produce much of the next years gossip at work. Always baaaaddd behaviour.....

no def nbu, i decided a long time ago that i only go on social events if i want to, i don't really care if anyone thinks me anti social.

YANBU. I almost never went to work stuff. If the dept had a Christmas lunch, yes, but any form of party/evening do, never. Our company used to take everyone away for a weekend each year, all expenses paid. Never want to those either. I was tackled on it once or twice and my answer was the same as it was for Christmas - "I spend 40 hours per week with you lot as it is, I'd like to spend a bit of time with family and friends as well"

ahhh..its unanimous! brilliant

ive already said yes...so i will have to retract that, but that will be ok i think...if i say now that is plenty of notice for restaurant booking.

I know Ill get needled over it, but you have given me the strength...just say 'no'!

i am usually quite sociable, but well these guys get on my tits a bit...and yy to spending long eneough with them already!

Depends. If you are a manager I think you should go. If not, then don't if you don't want to.

Would your life be easier if you did know other people and management a little bit better?

I'd be tempted to turn up, have starter or coffee then have to leave for school run. You've shown your face, been social able but not a mess. just perfect for promotion

YANBU in the slightest. I'm not going to mine because I absolutely loathe Xmas and there are probably only 2 or 3 colleagues that I would have any interest in spending time with. So basically I just don't want to

That's a good enough reason in my book.

im not a manager. I know them all well enough
i hope to leave soon after christmas

Yanbu.

These are people you work with. Yes, it's important to get along but in my experience works Xmas parties are a bad idea - and usually speaking from head hanging shame experiences of my past end up in drunken vomiting showing oneself up in front of the boss.

Bad bad bad bad bad.

Do what you want to do not what other people want you to do.

Enjoy your family time and fun time spent with your besties.

Ooh, this thread reminds me of the 'worst behaviour you've ever seen/heard of at a Xmas party' thread from last year. It was hilarious and . Must be time for a new one soon

well we have had blood, riot vans and arrests at one of our xmas parties!!

that was in the olden days when lots of lovely/funny/interesting people worked here.....

that came out wrong...i am not equating blood/riot vans/arrests with lovely people

Sounds like fun takataka

where dh works (uni lecturer) they don't even have a xmas do, far too antisocial.

I am going on one this year, but it is the first time I have said yes to one in about 8 years :o

YANBU, work Christmas parties are horrible affairs. I stopped going to them once I had children. I have no interest in spending my limited free time at a work do.

YANBU
After my company merged with another we were under pressure to attend the company Christmas party. The office closed at midday on Christmas Eve then we were all expected to go along to the party which lasted until late. I took the whole day off as holiday and so did the rest of my team.
We got stick for it from the big boss, stuff about being part of the corporate family, la, la, la.

At the time I had a 3 year old and a 4 year old. I knew where my priorities were on Christmas Eve.