to want to scream that I do not want to go to the works night out?

[MummikinsOopNorth]

My small department of 8 are going for a christmas meal next week. It is quite far from where I live and I have recently been unwell and the biggest reason is I don't like most of my colleagues, therefore, why would I want to go out with them? Problem is they mithered and mithered and wore me down and i'm supposed to be going. I can't say that the DC are ill or I don't have a babysitter as they know that they're away with their dad and grandparents at the moment.

What can I do? I've been worrying about it all week

Work up to seeming a bit ill on the couple of days before, go to the do, but develop a headache and make an exit as soon as feasible. Then you will have made the effort to go and it won't look like you were avoiding them, but you can keep it brief.

In future, don't commit to it - wait until the date is fixed and then have an important prior engagement.

I went on my work night out tonight. I'm 38+1 weeks pregnant. Luckily I got out of having to dance, lol.

If you are not well, then don't go. But don't be surprised if they give you the cold-shoulder as they will most probably realise you are calling off due to lack of inclination. If that doesn't bother you, then just stay at home- unless the table etc has been booked and it will really inconvenience everyone to have you drop out.

Get everyone else drunk and set yourself a challenge to find an embarassing secret from everyone. Then when someone's really annoying you in the New Year you can reminisce and share their secret with everyone else. [evil emoticon]

I still remember the Christmas party when the most outrageously camp member of the team revealed he was about to get divorced, for the third time.

Flippin heck mummikin... If there's only 8 of you in your department and you don't like most of them how can you stand your job? I would have thought getting on and likeing people in your team makes a job enjoyable. I too work within a small team but really enjoy working with everyone there and if I didn't like anyone it would make the job so much harder to do (Admitedly I'm not going to the Christmas do though!)