To think this is madness at a company Christmas do?

[designateddriver16]

We have a Christmas do which is pretty much compulsory. You get hounded for explanations if you don't go. They are generally Saturday nights and never in convenient locations. This year's is out in the sticks. Transport is not provided. Nearest town is 10 miles away. Accommodation available for £90 per room. (Not covered)

Senior management have announced us they are only providing free wine with the meal. No soft drinks for drivers or anyone else. I queried this and was told that tap water in a jug was the only non alcoholic option. Drinks are available at the bar at extra cost (last time a coke was £3)

I have to drive. Need to get home for the dcs. I'm not a massive drinker so even if I weren't driving tbh I'd like the option of alternating wine with a soft drink.

AIBU to think this is not only weirdly stingy but irresponsible madness?

Police.

Flappys it would have been romantic if it weren't quite so erm graphic.

Felt like David Attenborough should have been there narrating the mating ritual.

Lol!

I second this being a very satisfying update.

The only way it could have been better is if you had provided a diagram. Any chance?

Yes, very good update.

If you're back this time next year moaning about how you 'can't get out of it and just wanted to vent', mind, I shall not be amused.

Sapphire, if I'm back and still banging on as designateddriver17, you have permission to hurl abuse at me

This is not so much a celebration of Christmas, but of Bacchus. Having just read the Wikipedia entry Bacchanalia, I am struck by many resonances with this thread

Congrats on surviving, although at these kinds of events its always interesting to see the other side of people especially when they appear prim and proper.

Sorry, but surely the adult and the professional thing is to say that you cannot go.

If it really is part of the job - and I had a job in which socialising with colleagues and clients was part of it - then go, don't drink, drive yourself home at 10pm.

Just because you have to pay for a glass of coke doesn't men that you have to get too pissed drive.

Why lie, why pretend to be sick, why assume everyone else will be drinking and driving and try to "catch them out"? (I get social pressure and work pressure but we are supposed to be grown ups!)

So sorry OP - just realised I skipped a page. My apologies.

I used to work as an EA to an MD and he was the pits. Sexist twat who spew his twattery at these events. I would have to sit next to him at the "top table" & introduce him to other staff of the company in a Bridget Jones style "This is Jane, she's the manager of the Brighton office and has kept KPIs at a solid 60% this year" when the approached him. So bloody PAINFUL. I only lasted a year and when I left I told him what a prized prat his was.

He once took me to a very very posh restaurant & told me he would like to educate me in the finer things in life. He clearly thought I was Eliza Dolittle & he used to tell other companies I was his go getter & all he had to do was rattle my cage.

He was mega pissed off when I pointed out my now DH had taken me to the same restaurant for our first date.

Class A Twat. Ex boss not my DH

Thanks for the update.

But seriously for next year whether you go or not they need to revise the venue. The location is seriously rubbish if people got lost enough to miss the meal. Not particularly relaxing or party like if you're on edge from the journey, there and back.