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Original poster

Did I make an arse if myself (first work trip)

49 replies

Minanina · 18/09/2019 06:11

Currently on my first work trip.

I’m not used to drinking but for some reason I polished off 4/5 glasses off wine last night and it went totally my head. I remember being fuzzy after 2 sips yesterday. Anyway I ended up being THAT girl that needed “helping”- I actually was okay but people wanted to take that role (I think).

Anyway, I did fall but that was more cobble street than alcohol induced. I’m just so ashamed to face everyone! I feel great now (physically) so know I couldn’t have been that drunk but I’m sure that’s the perception. Any tips would me appreciated!

OP posts:
Original poster
Minanina · 18/09/2019 06:12

I should have stated I do drink but my teetotal bf has reduced my tolerance in the last year

OP posts:
Calvinlookingforhobbs · 18/09/2019 06:12

Don’t stress and remember others were probably tipsy too. Don’t drink next time.

AllModra · 18/09/2019 06:13

This was me with a large group, at a festival this summer. I was mortified. I suddenly felt ill, the waterworks came on, eventually I hurled up a load before being put to bed. It happens. Hopefully you can just laugh it off, say you don't usually drink and hadn't eaten.

Original poster
Minanina · 18/09/2019 06:15

I had had about 2 mouthfuls of couscous so the alcohol went right through me!

OP posts:
BlackCatSleeping · 18/09/2019 06:16

There’s nothing you can do about it now. I’d just pretend the whole thing never happened and downplay it if anyone mentions it.

369thegoosedrankwine · 18/09/2019 06:17

You didn't kill anybody you didn't hurt anybody you just got a bit too tipsy. In your head your anxiety will be working overload, nobody else will give it more than a fleeting thought. Honestly don't worry about it. Smile and get on with your day.

SD1978 · 18/09/2019 06:18

You probably did, to be honest. How long have you worked for them? How senior were the people you were with? It's not great getting trolleyed at a work trip away- and whether you feel you needed helping or not- your colleagues definitely felt you did. If you're away for another night, I'd imagine that if you tone down the alcohol tonight though, I don't anyone will remember or have an issue of you have another trip away. Things happen, but as it's not a usual occuramce, I'm sure you'll be fine.

Original poster
Minanina · 18/09/2019 06:19

I’m not drinking tonight at all!

OP posts:
Original poster
Minanina · 18/09/2019 06:21

SD - new job

OP posts:
ImAShowPony · 18/09/2019 06:35

Yeah it's not great as it was a work setting but, hey, it's really no disaster either.
Refer to it once briefly, and only once, to say sorry but you hadn't eaten bla bla and then do not mention again. If anyone else brings it up just be low key and say It happens to all of us....and move the conversation on to something else.
But no drinks whatsoever for the rest of the trip - you need to show it was just a one off.

Likethebattle · 18/09/2019 06:37

I was spiked in n a work night out. I passed out in the loos Inside a cubicle, lost my phone....I was a mess.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 18/09/2019 06:40

Not great it's a new job so this is their first impression, but just stay off the booze from now on and prove that it was a one-off.

(Oh, and I don't want to burst your bubble re. being okay but people wanting to take the helping role...I think we always think we're FINE when we're pissed but we rarely are as in control as we perceive ourselves to be. Nice swerve with the cobblestones excuse though Grin)

Ponoka7 · 18/09/2019 06:48

I'd be made up if you were my colleague.

I was occasionally 'that girl'. There was another woman in our circle that outdid me and I'd be so pleased whenever she showed up.

Apologise, make the excuse that you didn't eat. Take anything said as a joke, take it on the chin and move on.

LiveInAHidingPlace · 18/09/2019 06:50

I gave up drinking after an incident like this, I hadn't been that person for ages and I had forgotten how cringe it feels the next day.

Sure no one really cares or thinks as badly about ourselves as we do, but it still sucks.

BrokenWing · 18/09/2019 07:00

Could be worse, you could have been steaming AND danced/snogged the face off Neil from research 😳 (who was engaged, but to be fair I was only 19, new and didn't know that!)

Took about 10 years before they stopped mentioning that one!

AmIThough · 18/09/2019 07:02

A work trip as in you're away on business, or a works night out?
How long have you been in the job?

To be honest it does sound like you've made a bit of a tit of yourself but hopefully you're around the kind of people who will make a joke of it.

You'll definitely be reminded of it every time there's a similar event, especially when another new starter is invited Grin

KittyVonCatsworth · 18/09/2019 07:07

New job, new colleagues, yes I would say that it's not the best impression to make. I've done it myself when I was younger and I look back now and cringe. I avoid any alcohol at work events now as I don't want to "be that one". Don't fret too much but be mindful not to become that person.

BlueCornsihPixie · 18/09/2019 07:09

There are definitely people who like the helping role!

I've had someone try to take me home when I've had nothing to drink! (Was very tired but still!)

There are people who thrive off helping the drunk one, I think they like to be in the action and have all the Goss for the next day. I don't drink very much anymore so I'm watching a lot of the action from the sidelines, there are always the helpers.

OP, I wouldn't worry too much about it. What's done is done, and I doubt you will have been the only one. Most other people will have had a few as well, they will probably wake up feeling the same!

Bouffalant · 18/09/2019 07:18

We've all done it OP. Don't worry too much, as long as you didn't shag your boss or vom on anyone's shoes.

Someone else will do it on another night out and you'll get to be the one helping.

newnametocomplain · 18/09/2019 07:21

No big deal! It would just have made me like you more!

bluebeck · 18/09/2019 07:23

Purely in the interests of making you feel better OP

I once did this when in my 20s. Never done it since so it's a huge learning experience. To top off my shame, I decided to link arms with the Senior Director on the way back to the hotel, and kept saying "You're luffly you are David" and stroking his arm. Blush Blush Blush

I had to do the walk of shame next day with two of the senior secretaries doing their best to make me feel shit "Are you alright dear?" but I just styled it out by being, you know, breezy, and never speaking to the senior director ever again.

It will be fine don't do it again Grin

Didiusfalco · 18/09/2019 07:27

I wouldn’t worry to much. I’ve worked in several offices (mostly finance for some reason) where getting hammered would make you one of the group and be a good bonding experience. Weird, I know. Shrug it off.

LumpySpacedPrincess · 18/09/2019 07:28

I never drink on work nights out, even at Christmas. I go, have a great time but never drink. You'll be fine though, just be chipper and don't drink tonight.

Dyrne · 18/09/2019 07:31

You need to be on top form today If you’re presenting etc. Drunken-ness on work trips tends to be worse if you can’t function the next day during the actual work. Don’t mention being hungover, even if it kicks in later in the day, power through, and behave yourself for the rest of the trip, and you should get away with it!

Sympathies, OP, it’s easily done, but just don’t let it become a habit! If it’s an atmosphere with lots of drinking, make sure you have plenty to eat for the meal, and alternate a pint of water with every alcoholic drink, that should slow you down!

Fucket · 18/09/2019 07:32

I used to work with someone who would always get drunk very quickly and then say and do inappropriate things. One evening we were with clients and she brought up how my mother had just died in front of them. And just wouldn’t shut up, honestly I had gone past the point of finding her behaviour amusing. I was trying to remain professional and didn’t need her going on and on about it (it was suicide).

I don’t know how I held it together. The next day One of the directors had to have a chat with her, and she ended up leaving not long after too. I suspect that night really opened her eyes to her own behaviour, and she felt she could no longer work with me. I actually left not too long after as well. Now when I see colleagues completely fail to control their alcohol drinking I avoid becoming friendly with them. I try to keep my distance and not disclose personal life with colleagues at all. I think it’s woefully unprofessional. You want to binge yourself into a horrendous state do it in yiur own time.

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