Work Christmas evening do

[ThrillingChilling]

Our work Christmas do has been arranged but I don’t want to go. I never want to go and managed to get out of it last year as I was sick (oh what a shame…).

Its at a place I’m not bothered about eating at again with colleagues I’m not bothered about socialising with.

I hate lying but feel it’s the only way to exit out of going. What should I say?

"I have a prior arrangement that evening". It's a prior arrangement involving pizza, a DVD, and your cat, but that's your private business that you don't have to share. If they press you, "film night with a good friend" is still accurate.

Oh I always just say “I am no going sorry hope you all have a nice time”

no one has ever questioned it and I been at the same workplace albeit different teams for 15 years

I would hate saying no but I’m a people pleaser. How much is the night and is it pre paid?

depending on cost I would probably even pay and last minute come down with “sickness bug” or flu.

I don’t think this is the right thing to do though. You should just be honest - I should take my own advice.

I hate lying but feel it’s the only way to exit out of going. What should I say?

Just say no.

I never attend work social events and have never lied as it's against my nature. I just say something alone the lines of 'thank you for the invitation, but I won't be attending, have a good time'

I’ve done it! I have said that I cannot make it, but have a lovely evening.
Im feeling so relieved as it’s quite a large team, I know very few of them and I don’t like the place that they’ve booked as it is.

Well done op one less thing to worry about now 🙂

Well done.

You are allowed to say no to events. Hopefully it will be a little easier for you next time.

Well done, OP. That must be a relief for you.

Hurrah! Well done for advocating for yourself! We've spent so much of our lives being told that our feelings don't matter that it's really hard to start acknowledging that they are real and valid