9 Tips On How To Survive And Thrive
At Company Holiday Functions
Don’t be the one everyone talks about at the water cooler the day after for saying what you really think about your co-workers or for dancing the Macarena on your boss’s table.
Follow these nine etiquette rules to ensure yourself an enjoyable time and continued employment.
- Attend – absences are noticed. Be on time and stay an appropriate amount of time. 80 percent of success is showing up”- Woody Allen, American screenwriter, director, actor
- Dress properly – it is a business get-together, so nothing too low, too short, too casual or too extreme. If you’re unsure of the proper dress for the event, call the event organizer.
- Inform your spouse or significant other – on suitable dress and appropriate and inappropriate topics of conversation. Their behavior reflects on you.
- Introduce your spouse or significant other to co-workers and management. If you’re single, be sure to check with the event organizers to see if it is appropriate to bring a friend.
- Behavior does matters – don’t gossip and don’t make personal revelations. Try to interact with people you normally would not interact with at work. This is a social event – be social.
- Body language – it’s important not to let others know if you’re “bored to tears”. Don’t frown, glare, or stand off by yourself. It’s rude and bad business manners to let others see that you’re bored or not interested.
- Stay sober– at social business parties it’s easy to lose control, don’t drink too much. Eat a little before you go and keep your intake to one or two drinks. You are responsible for your behavior and there will be consequences for inappropriate conduct.
- Dining Manners – regardless if the event is a breakfast, lunch, reception or dinner proper table manners still apply.
9. Send a Thank You note - to the party’s organizer. A handwritten note on a thank you card or holiday card is the correct thing to do. It should be a simple sentence of thanks and a positive statement about the organizer and/or the event.
Remember; when you act well you do well.