To have walked out of my work Christmas party in favour of dining alone

[Namechangey23]

New employer..I don't know many people as yet. Works Christmas party on Oxford st. No real entertainment, no food (yet!) and dull dull small talk, which, to be honest, was never my strong suit. God it bored the absolute tits off me. So I've walked out at 7.30pm in favour of dinner alone in a nice Turkish restaurant. Sod wasting a child free night on that rubbish! Life's too bloody short! Should I have stayed to show willing, AIBU for leaving...or would you do the same? Yes I've seen the mistake in the title and no I can't change it.

Rude of you to attend and then walk out.

Nah, I wouldn’t have gone in the first place but frankly I don’t blame you!

I would have stayed longer out of politeness, but I do hate office parties.

Did you tell people you were leaving?

How will you feel when you go into work?

Enjoy your dinner and then pop back and see if it has livened up?

No. French exit. And I'm not french.

Have the employers paid for it or have you paid for a ticket/meal? If employers have footed the bill then that's pretty damn rude...

That’s really rude and will have marked your card in your new job.

Don’t go, fine. Go and stick it out, but learn your lesson and don’t go next year, also fine.

Go but walk out because they’re not good enough for you, offensive.

How do you do a Christmas party without food and entertainment?

Not sure anyone really loves small talk, it's not a get out clause

You showed your face which is more than enough if it’s dull. Enjoy your meal.

Brave decision on both counts (walking out and eating alone) but I prefer team players to selfish prima donnas so YABU.

Well I didn't! I mean it was a bar basically. There was a band but they were very sporadically playing. It was a bit.... sparse

That's rude if they were paying.
I think for me it would be a case of eat my food, smile sweetly then depart and make plans to be busy that evening next year.

But I refuse to believe everyone is utterly dull.

They probably won't have noticed or might just say "oh yeah, where did Carol go?". Not a big deal unless it's a tiny company / team.

Obviously don't go next year though. You can't do that again

I’d have probably made more effort to try to get to know my new colleagues.

I think it’s important to consider how you are perceived by others in some scenarios.

You'll have to come up with a plausible excuse, like a family emergency, surely? Because on the face of it this is blisteringly rude and will have got your new colleagues' backs up.

They might be worried whether you are safe if you just disappeared from the venue.

Surely talk is only as small as you make it? Why not have a proper conversation with somebody? It really does make life a lot nicer if you develop relationships with colleagues.

19:30 is early, I'd imagine it hadn't got started yet. I'd enjoy your meal and then head back in.

what time did it start? I think it’s fine to show your face for an hour or so and then leave. You can always say you had to leave unexpectedly (exiting without saying anything is perfect for this). If they’ve paid for food/drink for you though it’s not great.

I completely agree. I think you were incredibly rude.

Pretty rude to just leave without at least making an excuse.

I bloody well hope it hasn't marked my card! I wasn't exactly the life and soul of the party so don't think I'll be missed.