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Original poster

Christmas party venue - inconsiderate choice.. AIBU not to go?

139 replies

gailsnails · 10/07/2021 13:55

I work on a team about about 20 people, with with different tastes, diets, food restrictions, views on alcohol etc.
For our Christmas meal (my first in the company, as I'm quite new this year), the senior management simply told us when the meal will be held, rather than canvas our thoughts, put it to a vote (the fairest way to decide I would have thought?) or discuss with staff.
The picked a hugely pretentious, overpriced and very niche kind of cordon-bleu type of place. All fussy food and centered around pork products.
There are 3 people on the team who have declined to go as don't eat pork (2 Muslim and 1 Jewish) and little other viable options on the extremely limited menu. I declined simply because I only like plain, bland and "boring" food... like chicken and chips or something non-fancy/pretentious sounding.
£65 per head for the meal, seems ridiculous when you've not even had any say in where to go. What's wrong with just going for a pizza or KFC lol? Or a buffet type place that caters something for even the most awkward people?
Any one else have this situation at work nights out?
I just find it rude, and totally inconsiderate.

OP posts:

BackforGood · 10/07/2021 15:08

I have TOTAL sympathy with anyone that has been given the poison chalice that is 'organising the works Christmas Party' , and total sympathy for just announcing it rather than giving people a choice.

That said, it doesn't sound like the best thought through plan, though 100 x better than a KFC

However, it is an invitation to go out for a meal. You don't have to go. It's years since I've been for a Christmas meal / night out with our Team, and that's fine. I like them all and get on with them all, but am just not really bothered about being overcharged for a meal / event I don't particularly want to go to.

ahoyshipmates · 10/07/2021 15:09

That is not only ridiculous but a downright discriminatory choice when three out of 20 staff are unable to eat pork for religious reasons. They need to be made aware of this.

lastcall · 10/07/2021 15:10

YANBU, and I wouldn't go either.

Sounds like a very tone deaf choice from senior management, frankly, not to consider that members of staff do not eat port for religious reasons! Surely HR should have said something...

MouldyPotato · 10/07/2021 15:11

I hope the people who can't go put in a claim based on religious discrimination

PattyPan · 10/07/2021 15:11

Yanbu in that they shouldn’t pick somewhere that they excludes common dietary requirements

Yabu to give kfc as an example of an alternative since they also don’t really cater for vegetarians (they have a vegan burger but their chips aren’t even vrghje). So maybe you can understand how their thinking went wrong.

PattyPan · 10/07/2021 15:12

*veggie, not whatever that came out as

Viviennemary · 10/07/2021 15:13

You won't please everyone all the time. Somebody has to make a decision. Never encountered anywhere with just pork products

TheAwfuITruth · 10/07/2021 15:15

The picked a hugely pretentious, overpriced and very niche kind of cordon-bleu type of place. All fussy food and centered around pork products

Yes absolutely how one would describe 'one of those hog roast places'

It's almost like the OP wants to create a bit of a bun fight.

Shadedog · 10/07/2021 15:18

Yanbu - it’s not good to organise a pork only meal

Yabu - a pork or sausage sandwich is not pretentious or fussy

Yanbu - £65 for a pork sandwich

Yabu - KFC

We have a big party in a hotel that does work Christmas parties, think it’s about £35 and has 3-4 choices, one of which is Christmas dinner. I never go. We also have an smaller one for just our section (12 of us) and go for a curry. I guess we spend £15-£20 each. I would be reluctant to spend £65 on a work meal.

30degreesandmeltinghere · 10/07/2021 15:20

Imo they should have chosen via vote regarding price!! That's a huge cost near Xmas for most people!

CastawayQueen · 10/07/2021 15:22

YANBU. They don’t actually want you lot there. They just want to have a fancy meal and claim on expenses.

3luckystars · 10/07/2021 15:24

The way things are right now, I don’t know how they even have the (pork) balls to be planning Christmas parties in July.
Although maybe we will probably be on to the Hotel or Tango variant by then and will be free to enjoy a night out. It’s still a bit early through isn’t it?

I went to an outdoors restaurant last week with the family and they had no vegetables, no chips and no vegetarian options, only fish on the menu. Just fish that’s all. I had to eat the free bread, imagine no chips even.

CastawayQueen · 10/07/2021 15:24

@BackforGood

I have TOTAL sympathy with anyone that has been given the poison chalice that is 'organising the works Christmas Party' , and total sympathy for just announcing it rather than giving people a choice.

That said, it doesn't sound like the best thought through plan, though 100 x better than a KFC

I love organising! Although my job’s made a bit easier because the company pays and there are only 3 restaurants big enough to accommodate us near work so it’s just a question of getting a date before other teams 😂😂😂

Muchasgracias · 10/07/2021 15:24

I don’t believe the restaurant is centred around pork. Can you post a copy of the menu - name removed, just the dishes?

Thoughtcontagion · 10/07/2021 15:24

KFC and pizza is for one the way back when you’re pissed at the bus stop.

I eat meat but I don’t think I’d like such a porky affair.

whatthejiggeries · 10/07/2021 15:26

I have never ever been to a restaurant that mainly focuses around pork products so that sounds v odd. Additionally if I did I would take a vegetarian option which I am sure they have. I don't get the problem. You can't canvas the opinions of 20 people

Bryonyshcmyony · 10/07/2021 15:27

What restaurant only serves pork?

Bryonyshcmyony · 10/07/2021 15:27

65 a head is expensive but probably quite typical for a posh ish Xmas meal tbh

maddy68 · 10/07/2021 15:29

They won't only do pork realistically will they? It's also not insensitive. I have food allergies should the majority base their choice where I can have a more varied selection?

If you don't like the menu or place don't go. I definitely don't think they've done anything wrong

EverNapping · 10/07/2021 15:32

I need to see the menu.

Bluntness100 · 10/07/2021 15:32

So a pretentious place that serves hog roast for 65 quid a head and has no other menu options?

You’re going to have to post a link op

Your issues with food are not common. Not many of the staff would be delighted to habe their crimbo meals at a kfc or the equivalent just because you like chicken and chips

ittakes2 · 10/07/2021 15:39

I appreciate you don't like the menu and it does seem a poor choice if the only option is pork but this is a surprise as I don't know a restaurant in the world where there is only one option.
Are you sure they are expecting you to pay for the lunch?

Nohomemadecandles · 10/07/2021 15:41

It must be a lot of flipping hog roast for £65 too. Crikey. Or at least a gallon of mead to go with it!

EastWestWhosBest · 10/07/2021 15:48

Muslims eat Halal which is just as beastly for the animal

All Halal means is that a tape of a blessing is played while the animal is slaughtered. Nothing ‘beastly’.

Nohomemadecandles · 10/07/2021 15:49

@EastWestWhosBest

Muslims eat Halal which is just as beastly for the animal

All Halal means is that a tape of a blessing is played while the animal is slaughtered. Nothing ‘beastly’.

Unless you're the one being slaughtered. Both fairly evenly beastly.

PP said Just As not More

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