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

[Minanina]

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!

Depends on how ambitious you are. If you'd just started working for me and you behaved like that, I'd have a word about conduct. A nice word cos I'd give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you were nervous and drinking for Dutch courage but I'd also be concerned that you didn't know how to behave.

Bloody hell

New job
Light drinkers
And you neck 4/5 glasses of wine on an empty stomach?!
What were you thinking?

Yes, right to be embarrassed. Unprofessional and, well, a bit odd for a grown assed adult to behave like this, especially in a work setting

I second RuggyPeg. But probably would stop trusting you forever if you ruin something for the business because you were too drunk or too hangover to do your job during a work trip I am paying for.

I don't drink wine/prosecco on nights out now - it's the devil's juice.

Just go in and be breezy and "gosh I know, drinking on two spoons of couscous was silly of me wasn't it now".

Oh don’t worry!!
Apart from needing a bit of help you didn’t flirt or become argumentative. That’s when it’s a problem.

I agree it’s how you are today that’s important. If it affects your work performance then that’s an issue.
Don’t do the same tonight though!

Own it!
If someone says "oh you were drunk last night" just say "I know! Hahaha that'll teach me to polish off 5 glasses of wine" and always follow it up with "at least the hangover has buggered off!". There will be people there who drank less and feel worse this morning

Just own it. Apologise - without excuses. Or kind of backhanded excuses

"I am so embarrassed and sorry. I could blame it on not eating enough/nerves etc - but the truth is I drank waaayy to much. I shall not be doing that again. Many apologies everyone."

That is all you need to say. Who can argue with it? No-one. Who can say anything behind your back apart from "She drank too much" - which you have admitted yourself.

Yes - does make you look like an arse and unprofessional, aggravated by you being new to the job and not having a pre-existing track record. Would apologise along the lines BOWB said

Ah! We’ve all been there. Just style it out. I always admit if I was drunk and apologise if I got on anybody’s nerves.

OP “the fear” will be making it worse this morning. We’ve all done embarrassing things at work. Try not to worry. As Dragon says don’t make excuses just apologise if anyone says it was a problem.

@Likethebattle OMG the exact same thing happened to me. I drunk every weekend, had glasses of wine during the week, and that night out I had 3 drinks, and they had to kick the toilet door down to get to me. Three other members of staff were really ill too, and the following day my dp asked what I’d take as apparently my pupils were like saucers. I hadn’t taken anything knowingly, just had 3 drinks.

OP for what it’s worth, one night my team were away working, and they went on shots which I don’t drink. I can’t remember the night, and one of my male co-workers carried me to my room, undressed me, and put me to bed. Then stayed in my room all night and didn’t sleep, for fear I would vomit and choke in my sleep. Woke up with one very bad head, and feeling so grateful but like the worlds worst person. All these years later, we don’t work with each other, but it’s just the funny story we all like to tell.

You’ll be having that slight hangover paranoia now, wondering what people are going to say. Just see everyone, get in there first and say ‘omg I’m so sorry I got drunk so easily last night, I could die of embarrassment’ no doubt they will laugh it off.

Oh and one tip that I had off a Director later, was one alcoholic drink, and the next a pint of water, then a drink, then water- you don’t drink much as you are full from the water.
(I had said ‘how can you drink so much and not get drunk?’)

@isobelrae23 it was a co-worker and he tried to take me to my hotel room u set the guise of ‘helping me’. I was violently ill all night but I had 2 glasses of wine and the 2nd one he handed to me. My workmates boyfriend was telling her not to leave me with the creep!

@Likethebattle That is even worse. We think it was the barman, because I didn’t leave my drink or anything for someone to slip something in, it was in my sight the whole time, the only time I didn’t see my glass (and my co workers theirs) was when the barman had his back turned to us, and was pouring wine. A few people asked me if it was an ‘excuse’ because I was so it of it. Thankfully all those sat with me could say I only had three drinks, and how did it account for my other co-workers being ill too, but not as badly as me.
It makes you realise that a) you can’t trust anyone b) no matter how careful you are, someone can still spike you, c) it can happen anywhere, I’d spent my older teenage years clubbing till 6am in different clubs etc, and nothing, and this was a ‘nice’ pub it happened in.

Oh god if I had a pound for everytime I made a tit of myself at work or work trips I'd be a millionaire.. Rock up today fresh and full of life, don't look hungover.. Just make a joke out of it.. It will be forgot about in a weeks time.

Your work mates will judge you.

Even if you feel fine the next day, everyone is going to think you're hungover and that will make them question your professionalism and your judgement. Don't drink on work trips. Otherwise everyone will be watching to see if you get so drunk you fall over again. You don't want to be that person in a professional environment.

Was it with colleagues or clients?

I would say that you made an arse of yourself. But so has a lot of people. Nothing you can do about it except be professional for rest of the trip and nor drink that much in future business trips.

Awwww OP. Don't worry. You just got drunk. It will be forgotten about by the end of the day. Just ride it out.... Like a previous poster said, no one got hurt or killed. You just got pissed..... And we've all been there... Make a cup of coffee and enjoy your day...... You'll be laughing about it in a few days... Believe me!!!

You'll be laughing about it in a few days... Believe me!!!

Depends entirely on profession and level.

A young very junior member of a sales team? Hmmmm yes I suppose they could get away with it

A more experienced and senior member - behaviour like this is undoubtedly going to impact on how others see them.

Ah! We’ve all been there - no, we really haven't, not in a professional context.

Agree withmenorca

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!)

I did this too. When I found out he was married I also found out his wife had just had a tiny premature baby.

Dont stress too much. I have been in your shoes many many times and I have found on these drunken nights out most people wake wondering about their own actions rather than what anyone else did. You may have some jokes and teasing but as long s you don't make too much of a habit of it, I am sure by next month it will all be forgotten