How do you feel about works 'christmas do's?

[OutVileJelly1]

I always approach these with trepidation as some folk can to get overdrunk and show themselves up or say things they wish they hadnt

I think I actually hate them and im dreading ours but cannot get out of it now - if you back out at a late stage they make you pay for your place

It’s a very good way to undo a year’s worth of work. I go to mine but have sneak and drink and go home.

I used to work in a school and avoided Xmas dis like the plague as married teachers would inevitably end up copping off with each other and it used to make me very uncomfortable

Haven't gone to one in years. Used to make excuses to leave early and feel guilty the whole time now I just don't go. I enjoy my colleagues when we are on shift and do keep up with some old faces but it's very much a work relationship. It's 100% a me thing, just the thought of spending £60, dressing up, going for a meal that has to suit x amount of people and then getting drunk with people I work with fills me with absolute dread.

I'll always work the shift so people can go to it though.

Yep, same here! We mostly work remotely now too so it's such a nice chance to catch-up. My colleagues are fab. We are out from 2 till last trains!

Ours is a big office (200+ people) so it's easy not to go. I haven't been since 2019 and if asked why i've been honest and said I don't want to go!! I have so much other stuff in December that a night of being nice to people I don't speak to the rest of the year isn't high on my agenda, I'd rather spend the time with people I like. A small group of us usually go out for dinner and a catch up instead.

bl00dy hell!!

We are having a Christmas do at work. Everyone is really pissed off with changes being made in the company and the lack of a shit they give over our welfare so everyone is boycotting it. They have hired a place out, and are trying to sell us tickets. Yes, even got to pay for your own cheapo crap Christmas do with one free drink included and canapés, except its not because they are charging us £20 each.

The other day we had a massive meeting and were asked who was going and not one person put their hand up. It was embarrassing. We are getting together in small department groups and just going for a meal together.

Total disinterest

My colleagues are very dull.

We have two Christmas parties this year, a lunch and then another one in the evening. I'll just go to the lunch. If work would pay for a hotel for the evening do, I'd go. But they are chepa so I won't go. And I refuse to catch the train home late at night.

Yes, even got to pay for your own cheapo crap Christmas do with one free drink included and canapés, except its not because they are charging us £20 each

^

Had this at my old workplace in a school

£25 for catered crap in the school gym??? Er, no thanks

🤔

@Natsku

You have to come back and tell us more

🏆

my spidey senses tell me that that arrangement will work for everyone! 😆

I haven't been to a works do for a few years, I realised mixing work and pleasure isn't a good idea and I don't even particularly like most of the people I work with presently so why would I pay to spend extra time with them. Why are you even going at all if you don't think it's a good idea?

I like the people I work with but I never socialise with my colleagues on my own time.
I have just spent 40 hours with them.
I will spend free time with friends and family.

Haven’t been in a couple of years. Always ends up with the organiser pissed off as most of the people find something to moan about. One year someone ordered in pizzas as the food was so bad. People and spilled their biggest secrets and thrown up eveywhere lovely. The office stink who you try to avoid the welcome hug eugh. The one who lost his brain and wondered off looking for the very people trying to find him. Cringy photo booths and silent office the next working day. Was free though.

Don’t miss it.

I never attend them. I work with these people, I do not want to socialise with them after work.

Urgh

I’m going to three. Full department evening meal that’s paid for, sub department lunch we pay for and team lunch that we do every other month and take turns paying for (it’s my bosses turn this time). I’ve never known anyone get drunk to point they are sick or totally out of control. If you won’t enjoy it just don’t go? I had a few years when kids were small I skipped the evening ones as I just couldn’t be bothered with being out that late and I skip some of the bowling/darts & similar themed nights as it’s not really my thing.

I've been working in a new section for a few years now - have always shown up at all social events but this year I just don't want to. Team leader has been bullying me a little and she wound up having to apologise profusely. While we are getting on fine now I just don't want to deal with work any more than I have to. It's taking place on a day I don't work so I'll be elsewhere!

LOVE a work christmas night out! I'm on maternity leave this year and the team have just messaged me today to invite me along because they know how much I love them. My colleagues - some I consider friends - are an amazing laugh and we still laugh about things that have happened on nights out!

I used to go and vaguely enjoy them, (or the meal at least) and then bugger off quite early.

In later years I got really good at saying, 'Sorry - can't make it' with absolutely zero regrets at not trailing out in freezing weather to face an evening with people I'd been with all day.

I’d run like hell, can’t remember enjoying any works parties. The last place I worked it was our boss and 7 ladies. He was a great boss but a right letch when drunk, I only went one year, ended up chaperoning another female employee home because I didn’t trust him with her alone in our taxi if I’d have been dropped off first as planned.

in about October I’d have my excuses all ready. DH was busy in social circles so I’d use his events as excuses.

Hated them when I worked for a large business. I don't drink, everyone was all for getting wasted , and getting off with whoever they could.
I went to one for the whole business.
Did a few just our depth, but our dept had a bit of a divide young/ older. Us older ones went for a nice meal and that was it. Was much nicer

I now wfh and don't have to worry about all that

Can I work where you work please?

I worked in a fabulous place 17 years ago but had to move due to a relocation. I was heartbroken - my colleagues were lovely and we had fab Christmas parties.

My current workplace isn't much fun.

Fun! But I limit myself to two drinks so I don’t say anything stupid. And then sit back and enjoy watching other people not be so sensible…

Really looking forward to it, but mine is a lunch out with my two lovely colleagues who I also consider good friends.