How to express I am not interested in joining the Christmas work 'do'?

[user1471867483]

They're arranging a Christmas night out in December at work. Not only do we have to pay for it, but it's far from where I live, plus it's on a night I don't work; so I'd have to travel in on my day off. A coworker said he could drive me, but I'm just not feeling it - I don't want to go. How can I get him to accept I pure and simply don't want to go? I only like my own friends to socialise with and I never socialise with people from work. He's a pushy type.

"No thank you."

Repeated at intervals until he shuts up?

Say "unfortunately I cannot attend"
If they push on about it say "please accept I cannot go".

Don't give excuses why you can't go. It's not compulsory to attend.

Say you have a prior engagement.

"No thank you" on repeat if needed

You are under no obligation to explain!

This.

So long as there’s no chance they’ll offer to change the date to accommodate you, just say you have other plans.

It’s true. Even if you plan to watch telly that’s still a plan.

'I'd rather shit in my hands then clap... But thanks for the invite!'

I just say straight up I don't mix work and pleasure. End of conversation.

"Sorry I can't make it, have a nice night "
If he persists
"I've said I can't make it"

This. I've also been known to say this. I make sure I'm not approachable on a social level at all.

No thank you.

It’s not a big deal.

I just say no, I never go to them if they are in my own time, the only ones I have been to are the paid for ones at lunchtime as that is part of the working day

I have rarely gone on a works Christmas do. Absolutely hate them.

I just tell them - "I see you for 40 hours a week. I don't need to see you drunk outside of those 40 hours".

I never used to go.

Just said "oh, no... not my thing at all... hope you have a great night"
Followed by "no, I won't be going" as needed.

This. I never go and never have, I just say "it's not my thing, I don't enjoy group nights out but thanks for asking and I hope you have a great night." Once people accept it it's easy as they stop expecting you to join in their (awful) events

Just say you're already busy that night, surely?

Just say No.

‘What a kind invite, I’m afraid I have plans, Christmas is such a busy time!’.

You don't need to give any explanation. Just refuse the invite.

I never understand companies that make staff pay for a Christmas party.

I have only attended Christmas celebrations when they were in a local venue, or at the office, did not involve me having to pay and only if I liked my colleagues and enjoyed spending time with them.

I ignore any invite to staff parties, leaving drinks and Christmas event in my current job as I live far from the office and I do not like the majority of my backstabbing, self-righteous colleagues....

Just say “sorry but it’s not really my thing.”

Towards the end of my working life I got fed up with the hysteria and drinking habits of colleagues. They soon stopped encouraging me to go (which was very kind) but understood my decision not to.

Just say it and stick to it.

"No, thank-you".
Never explain, never apologise.

And I'd never get a lift with anyone-if you want to leave early and they don't, you 're either stuck or have to get an expensive ride home. I declined a works do once, because they were all going and returning in a booked mini-bus. (And it was miles away)

Thanks for thinking of me but I can’t make it! Repeat, repeat. Repeat.

I used to say ‘oh no I hate Christmas’
The reactions varied

Don't make an excuse or pretend you have plans. Just say outright that it sounds like your idea of an absolute waste of money and an evening off and not your kind of thing at all. And you'd rather shit in your hands then clap.