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.

I find it quite worrying that you're a manager with such a judgemental attitude.

I did do that for a while. But I work work these people already know them pretty well. I just got so bored. Definitely not an exciting person haha otherwise I'd have been the life and soul wouldn't I and I wouldn't be on here?!

I don’t know why people are giving you such a hard time over it. It sounds like a crap do, with no food by 7:30. Fuck that, life’s too short! If anyone mentions it just say you weren’t feeling well, I doubt anyone will though

Btw
You are my hero!!!
Seriously!!
I would have loved if all my colleagues left one by one because I didn't have the guts to do it in my 20's.
In my 30's, I don't bother attending. I don't bother with an excuse but if probed will say I'm visiting relatives etc.
Hate the whole staff outside of work gatherings.

Because Op is far too fabulous to spend time with such a dull bunch.Im sure they will all try to be more like Op.Or ,more likely, they'll just think you are
Odd.
On the spectrum.
Incredibly rude.
Totally socially awkward.
It's unlikely to do you any favours in 2025 Op.

It's not a very good first impression. I'd have stayed for a bit and then made an excuse I had to be up early for something and I definitely would have said goodbye. I think it was rude to have not even said goodbye.

Agree. As a manager myself I find this quite unprofessional. Illegal or amoral actions aside, it’s not my business to judge my staff members’ behaviour outside work.

Not really I'm just no good at it. And it feels dull..oh the weather oh so and so outfits nice isn't it oh weren't the trains a mess earlier. Yawn. Surely there is an alternative?? Some people are really magnetic don't get me wrong and they can make any topic seem amazing and interesting and they are full of relevant anecdotes. But many of us mortals aren't!

Going, showing your face, then leaving - well done OP. Just pretend you were around most of the time, with 50 odd people there nobody will have noticed that you left and you can say that you went. I admire you!

I'd probably have said goodbye to a couple of people just to feel better about the whole thing.

It absolutely reeks of thinking you’re better than everyone else and they’re beneath you spending your time with. So, so rude. As someone else has already said, if every single conversation you have is boring, the common denominator is you.

What kind of industry are you in? Do companies really have several “do’s”, must have a lot of cash anyways!

Erm
Maybe she just values her own time.
Why should she care what people think
Good for her!!!
I'm proud of her for not forcing herself to sit through someone she didn't want to!!!

I think you should have told someone, even if you had made up a reason. Texted someone to phone you, taken the call, and then left because of an alleged reason to need to be home.

I worked once with a team who were largely boring to be with socially, and would have reasons not to go to such events, other than the odd one once a year so it did not look too bad.

It's a big global company, work across multiple teams.

It would have been OK to leave if you had done so in a polite and friendly manner. You didn't and all your answers on here are rude and snippy as well. I think that speaks volumes

People trying to make small talk with a new colleague? God yeah, so yawn. If there’s an alternative why didn’t YOU initiate that alternative conversation if you’re so much better than them? Tbh sounds like your colleagues have had a lucky escape that you’ve pissed off early.

I was at mine earlier, I was bored and fed up and wanting to go home after about 2 hours. I was the organiser so I couldn't really but boy was I desperate to go home. I left after seeing everyone that mattered and knowing my parking had 30 minutes left.

For me it wasn't the people but it was noisy (and I couldn't concentrate on the conversations),, I couldn't hear anyone and I wasn't drinking. My tinnitus is now playing up and all I can hear is ringing in my ears.

Not really
Maybe she just isn't into what the office people are into.
Maybe she is too bright.
Jeez
People are so damn judgy on her. I for sure would not want to be in an office with them

I like your style, an Irish goodbye. Stealth mood. Whoosh you’re gone
YANBU

Pretty sure I'm boring too haha so yes? What's your point? They are boring, I'm boring, why stay?

no food? when did they expecct you to eat

souns like just a piss up at the loal pub rather tan work do

How is it unprofessional though? It might not win you friendliness points, but unprofessional??? I wouldn't have gone to begin with, myself. You're not slagging off the company to clients or bringing it to disrepute by getting hammered.

Standing with you OP. You have done nothing wrong. 💪🏼

I wouldn't worry about it.
With 50 people there it's likely they didn't even notice what time you left.
Some people will vaguely remember seeing you there at some point I'm sure. I don't think they'll really care.