AIBU to think this isnt strange?

[MsMarvel]

Hadn't thought anything of it until my friends seemed surprised so decided to run it by mumsnet!

Started a new job at the start of the year, and my colleagues have a night out planned this weekend, which I'm planning on going to.

My friends seemed surprised that I was going because my work colleagues are all male, and about 20 years older than me.

IMO this is totally irrelevant, I get on well with my colleagues and until my friends had me doubting myself, I was looking forward to it.

I have issues with social situations out of my comfort zone, and am now really paranoid that they don't actually want or expect me to come out and that I'll spoil the night for everyone.

Please reassure me that I'm paranoid because I'm tempted to cancel , which I end up doing far too often for social things and don't want to be that person anymore.

How did it go?

Night out is tonight. Well today really, meeting at 3pm in town. Already dressed and trying to hold of doing my makeup because I've woken up today with really bad hay fever. Sods law I'm going to turn up looking a snotty mess.

I started working in IT in my early twenties and have often gone out on nights like this, not weird at all.

There are very few people at my grade in my office (indeed - even in the region), for years I was the only female and I was invited and went to work's nights out, lots of office gossip networking done and building links with other arts of the region, good for business and my career. We now have other females in the grade (hooray) and no-one thinks it strange. If we are looking to redress the gender gap in male oriented professions or grades then some-one always has to be first.

Enjoy your night - and don't dress for the company, dress for yourself, if sequins make you happy, wear them!

It doesn't help that I have no idea who else is going. I've been in touch with the guy organising it. But the nature of our work means a lot of visiting different sites on our own, so its been a few weeks since I've seen any of the others. Which is why they have regular nights out.

How was your night out? I hope you had a great time and felt completely comfortable despite other perspectives. Have a berocca and a banana

Had a fantastic night out! Feeling very delicate today though after 9 hours drinking, but was one of the last ones standing and my boss told me I fit right in haha.

Really really glad I went.

Great news MsMarvel you can now smugly tell your friend she was wrong

I'm interested to know Peppermint why it would depend on the venue?

What sort of venue would be deemed not ok to go to?

For example they were talking about going to the horse races next time, would it be strange if I went with them there?

Honestly in my opinion it's only off limits if you aren't happy who can judge that but you. For instance I would not be attending a strip club with them (not because they are men but because I don't want to) you however may have no objection

We had a great time out at the horse racing, but I was bored stiff at the cricket!