Xmas Work Dinner

[Aquarius1234]

How to get through another works do, when you arent friends with anyone outside work.
Knowing the 3 course meal will be rubbish esp the Turkey.
Overall atmosphere will be boring/ dull.
I also cringe at anyone talking group photos.

YABU to have agreed to go if you can’t stand any of it. These things are optional

I wasnt allowed to opt out.

@Aquarius1234 is it happening during work hours?

Just drink through it? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Well don’t you sound fun!

No. After work.

Im a very light drinker! Lol

Then of course you're allowed to opt out.

Unless it's written in your contract that your attendance is mandatory?

lol of course you can opt out!

You might enjoy it. People can be different outside of work.

Did they put a gun to your head then?

How do you know the meal will be rubbish. Last few years ours has been very nice. Admittedly I have had the veggie option but everyone else enjoyed it and there has always been a choice of at least 3 different options per course.

Something like that unfortunately.
Unless genuinely unwell, you are pretty much forced to go. Staying late is optional.

Then don't go, they can't force you to go in your own personal time.

Something like that unfortunately.

Can you say exactly?

Is it in your contract that you must attend an Xmas work dinner outside of your working hours?

Because if it isn't, I can't think of what the 'something like that' could be?

Listen, stop thinking it into something awful. Sit there, smile, make an effort, actually think about the people nearby and what they might like to talk about. Then, enjoy the food, have your preferred amount of alcohol and give it till a fair time, then go home and put pyjamas on.

Plenty of folk don't get a Christmas dinner, will it be a nice three course one? Make the effort and think yourself lucky.

It does depend where you go. My rule was large city centre hotel, fuck the food nail the free bar, chips on the way home. Decent restaurant enjoy the grub then nail the bar. In any case make sure you get your money's worth if the company is paying.

First rule always have a big lunch.

I could be wrong. But Xmas dinner in chain type pub/ restaurants dont tend to have proper chefs. Shepherd neame etc.
Couple of times were better when in a smaller place.
Didn't fancy the fish or vegetarian option.

Just don't go. I assume nobody has a gun to your head?

My entire department refused to attend ours this year as we HATE our new boss 😂
HR got involved and it was still a defiant “ no chance “ from one and all …
they took to calling some of us individually begging attendance so that it would “ encourage “ others to show up …
Cancelled completely 🤣🤣

Take some sandwiches

I'll definitely make sure I get some food at lunch, for when I leave early..
No way am going I shopping afterwards.

<cough> <sniff> ... Starting to feel a little unwell OP?

Time of the month tomorrow, so thats a great excuse..

... and there's a lot of 'flu going around atm...