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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel really embarrassed after works Christmas parties?

124 replies

again2020 · 16/12/2021 09:58

Last night was the works Christmas do which I'd organized. We had a good time and I stayed out quite late.
I'm looking back and cringing at everything I said. It was nothing too bad, I remember telling the big boss I loved beer 🙈😂 then having a good chat about music and chatting with my boss at length about films. I tried to join in some of the football chat and I don't think it went down too well.
I get very animated and chatty after a few drinks. At work I'm quite shy and get on with things.
I'm a little hungover today cringing at myself. I almost wish I hadn't gone!
Can anyone relate?

OP posts:
ufucoffee · 16/12/2021 10:22

@Moff2k

No not this year. There's a serious pandemic. I can't actually believe people are going....
I can't believe people aren't
BigYellowHat · 16/12/2021 10:22

I went to one once where this girl snogged six people, then (the rumour was) she had a threesome with two guys. Left before I found out if that was true, damn! The snogging was bad enough though.

AngelonTopoftheTree · 16/12/2021 10:26

It's the fear OP 😱

annie55 · 16/12/2021 10:27

@Moff2k

No not this year. There's a serious pandemic. I can't actually believe people are going....
There is always one 'we're in the middle of the pandemic'.... Let's hide forever.
Chocolatier9 · 16/12/2021 10:27

I think it’s nice when shy people open up after a few -it’s fun getting a glimpse of the real person.

JudgeRindersMinder · 16/12/2021 10:29

@Moff2k

No not this year. There's a serious pandemic. I can't actually believe people are going....
Do you feel really superior now?🙄

OP don’t worry about it, what you’re saying sounds really really mild-you had a few drinks and got chatty-relax!

MichaelAndEagle · 16/12/2021 10:30

I always console myself by thinking everyone else will be feeling the same.
You were fine OP. Sounds like it was a fun night!

ANameChangeAgain · 16/12/2021 10:30

You didn't make a fool of yourself, it sounds like you just let your hair down a little, the same as everyone else. Now I threw up on a married colleague who was trying it on with me at a Christmas party once, that was embarrassing! Xmas Blush

HolidayTime2021 · 16/12/2021 10:36

@Moff2k

No not this year. There's a serious pandemic. I can't actually believe people are going....
Off you go and polish your halo a little more

(or piss off and be a sanctimonious prick elsewhere)

longwayoff · 16/12/2021 10:36

Xmas Grin everyone feels like that after a work party that's why they're best avoidedXmas Grin

GrumpyLivesInMyHouseNow · 16/12/2021 10:39

Sounds like alcohol anxiety, nothing you said sounds too bad, I've seen many a career flushed down the toilet during an Xmas do. One of my work colleagues dropped a glass of red wine, it went all over his directors white shirt and the glass cut his hand open. He had to leave the party and go get stitched up at a&e (the boss not my friend). Talking shite and being chatty is fine and expected I think.

OhdearOhdearOhdearIndeed · 16/12/2021 10:39

@DameCelia

Beerfear, anxiety is a side effect of alcohol leaving your system. Happens to everyone. (But 100 times worse in perimenopause)
I have been wondering if I'm perimenopausal (I'm nearly 40). I get the fear after a couple of glasses of wine. I can only drink a couple of beers or whiskeys now. Most drinks set me off (wine is the worst though). I thought it was just me being silly.
Grendalsmum · 16/12/2021 10:42

Ours was last night - l didn't even go and l'm cringing on behalf of my eldest, who's temping with the same outfit - they got rat-arsed at the free bar, lost their phone, threw up and DP was summoned to collect the remains by smug work-gossip woman who is never going to let it go ... Ever!

You were fine, don't worry.

Chocolatier9 · 16/12/2021 10:42

Now I threw up on a married colleague who was trying it on with me at a Christmas party once, that was embarrassing

😂. 👏

Sounds like the perfect response to me. ‘This is how much you repel me, you would be adulterous lech’. Not embarrassing at all.

Polmuggle · 16/12/2021 10:43

Could be worse, you could have slept with your boss... I'd take your cringe any day! Blush

OhdearOhdearOhdearIndeed · 16/12/2021 10:45

If it makes you feel better, I once lunged at a guy I fancied at work because in my drunken state, I thought he wanted a snog. He didn't. I worked with my family who were there too and witnessed it, so that was fun.

In my defence, I was 16 and it was 25 odd years ago.

I think it's better to be open and have fun, than like how I normally am. I feel and look awkward in these situations and then get drunk and actually just feel worse as I'm trying not to look drunk and be a twat. This is why I avoid staff do's of any sort. It's a shame really.

HolidayTime2021 · 16/12/2021 10:45

@Polmuggle

Could be worse, you could have slept with your boss... I'd take your cringe any day! Blush
One of my friends did that- they were both bitterly shy

20 years and 3 children later.........

FlowerFlour · 16/12/2021 10:50

@ANameChangeAgain

You didn't make a fool of yourself, it sounds like you just let your hair down a little, the same as everyone else. Now I threw up on a married colleague who was trying it on with me at a Christmas party once, that was embarrassing! Xmas Blush
Don't feel bad, that was karma punishing him for being a creep!
Monkeymilkshake · 16/12/2021 10:53

Dont worry! If you look at it from the other side - how often have you thought about how embarassing someone else was at the party? Not that often… it’s the same for everybody. They’ll all be worrying about what they did and not many (if any) will be thinking about what you did.
It’s all fine!

CaMePlaitPas · 16/12/2021 10:54

This sounds like me in a normal social situation and I don't even drink Blush

NatWestPigFamily · 16/12/2021 10:55

I’m still cringing about a work xmas do 10years ago. Got very drunk, had a nice but very sexy dance with a new Russian lady and then later puked all over the toilets just before leaving. Nice older lady helped clean my shoes.

Essexmummy88 · 16/12/2021 10:57

This doesn't sound too bad compared to what I did in 2016. I got very drunk, grinded with a random from a diff department on the dancefloor and ended up kissing a manager. I left shortly after (due to the shame) and blocked every single person I knew who worked there. I still cringe when I think about it, it honestly makes me feel deeply anxious.

ThatsNiiice · 16/12/2021 11:01

@Moff2k

No not this year. There's a serious pandemic. I can't actually believe people are going....
YAWN!! We have been vaccinated 3 times, the pandemic isn't as bad as they make out. Life goes on, if you want to waste away on your couch be my guest but don't give people shit for living their lives
VickyEadieofThigh · 16/12/2021 11:04

I did once try to snog my head of dept at a party.

In front of his wife...

Floyi · 16/12/2021 11:06

Why is it the ultimate of cool for Brits to get drunk at a party. They can never 'remember' what they said or did, just letting our hair down etc. all relayed to an audience to show just how 'happening' they are.

Why can't you drink moderately and just be yourself? why would not being drunk mean you can't have fun? this false ideology seems so enmeshed in everyone.