Staff Xmas party......I don't get it

[whatisforteamum]

It is a.but late however we.Have a.staff do coming up.I don't go as I don't like eating out.As a way to persuade me someone said were not strangers as we work together all week around 55 hours on shifts.
I can just pop in for a.drink.We will work all a end prior to the do.I have no idea.why people love to socialise with colleagues they see.all day?The staff are friendly most of the time.I just dont.get the point tbh.
Do you love of hate the staff do?

No you’re not obliged to attend work do if you don’t want to,go fir a drink,leave
I get the team connection,and you all work under difficult circs,but that’s no an obligation in itself to spend evening with them
I don’t drink so I don’t end up in the long pub sessions,just personal preference

I probably have loved the majority of my colleagues of my last three workplaces just don't get the idea of spending another evening with them on top of the 230 hours of december.I never justify things I just wanted some insight into who loves these do s.

I rarely socialise with colleagues, I won't even go to the staff room. Took part in one event this year(not the Xmas do) which was fun, but in pretty specific circumstances I was comfortable with . I actually really like some of them but big gatherings with about 50 people around a table are really not my thing.

And having a DD makes a great excuse for always bowing out. Sorry no childcare

I know what you mean.

I like my colleagues. I socialise with (some of) them but I’ve been working all December so I’d rather spend the time with dp and the dc than people I’ve seen every day for the past couple of weeks

“I have no idea why people love to socialise with colleagues they see all day?”

I have some lovely friends at work, and as I work part time I don’t see them every day. Unlike you I like to eat out, so a meal with my friends is a pleasant way to spend an evening. I am the oldest team member, but there are quite a few at the same stage of life as me as they have children in their late teens, so I have quite a lot in common with them.

Ha ha.Someone suggested my problems are deeper than the works do.Strange I'm described as a workaholic.I love it.The job and pay are.good and the team are.the icing on the cake.We've had.some difficulties.with new recruits but otherwise I love for my job.Everyone thinks I'm bubbly.I just like my free time I guess.

Nopes absolutely detest works do’s which is why I never go!

I’m not at work to make friends I’m paid to work, I have enough of my own friends who I don’t get much time to socialise with due to work I’d rather spend time with them than people from work.

Sorry I just don’t do it 🤷‍♀️

Some of us don't have loads of friends Gin. I don't go to work to make friends, but it is a bonus if I do.

YABU for not putting yourself in their shoes, you say they’re half your age and like each other, well maybe they also want to go out a lot and it’s easy to plan something with the people right in front of you. Plus spending all that time together does make you bond quickly!
I loved my first proper job, made loads of new friends and went out with them every weekend.
Those with other priorities didn't come, no-one thought anything of it!!

You seem like you don't like eating out or socializing in general, so YANBU. But most people like to let their hair down and have fun with colleagues they get on well with.

I skipped my Xmas work do. The only way to do this without it looking bad was paying for the meal but bailing on the day, saying I didn't feel up to it.

My colleagues are fine to work with but on a night out like to get complete smashed and stand all together in a clique I don’t really fit into screeching at each other,No ta i’ll settle for spending time with my Hisband who I love and want to spend time with.

Oh and all the drama and whispering afterwards...jeez i can’t be fucked if a certain girl is sleeping with a married colleague and another guy in the office who were going to fight....someone took a colleagues mate home and shagged him... blah blah but they all think it’s exciting and have wee whispered conversations in code at work 😴🙄gies peace ffs!

Work colleagues are not friends, regardless of how strongly you delude yourself into believing they are.

I don't think having a staff Christmas party, which happens once a year, equates to loving to socialize with your colleagues. It's one evening, I'd just go.

I liked the Christmas party at work and going out with colleagues at other times.

I’ve always found (in nearly 40 years of working), that a fair few (not all) of my work colleagues become very good, close friends. I think it’s more unusual for that not to be the case.

Yabu to use the word bubbly.

"Work colleagues are not friends, regardless of how strongly you delude yourself into believing they are."

Cynical and bitter much?
Your work colleagues aren't friends with you, but some of mine are friends with me.

I have 2 jobs. One of them I have no desire to socialise with my colleagues and actively avoid it (while feeling guilty).

The other I adore almost everyone I work with, I have been on holiday with some of them and the work night out was one of the most fun nights I have had in years. It depends entirely on who you work with I think...

Ok exchange bubbly for chatty and interested in my colleagues and job😊The meal is free so are the drinks so to the younger generation.a good chance to get something out of the company.Also some of them are 18 and single so looking to get off with each other then discuss it for weeks to come.
No I'm general I prefer work to socialising.2 other 55 year old men are going but I think it is for the food.

I'm always badgered to go to these things as I love a laugh but when I get home that night that will be it.Bath pjs chill.

Most of my friends are old work colleagues I’ve colelcted over the years.

To be honest, if that’s how you feel, they probably don’t want you there anyway.

I always say it u don't want to do something don't spoil it for others.They do keep asking.One I've known for 13 years asks me every year.

I can see both sides. Work is a good place to meet friends and if you're going to be together for most of your day it makes sense to try and build bonds. On the other side if you're not naturally sociable being with people all day can be exhausting. Other people just have busy lives and don't want to give up their precious free time or time with their family.

Personally I won't go out every Friday night but a once a year do I will go to.