Do you do the Christmas work do?

SailorSam

I've been self employed most of my working life and worked alone so haven't had to go to many 'works dos'

Justamum

I'm a SAHM, but this is my husband's 12th Christmas in his job, and he hasn't been to a single work's do. They used to ask him every year and he'd always refuse so now they know not to ask him.

My 19th year old daughter has two jobs - one full-time and one part-time. Last year she went to both work's dos but this year she's not bothering with the full-time job's one. There's no need to find an excuse, just say you don't want to go.

bossymoo

Ours is funded by the company. To be honest, they are quite nice. Travel is included, in work time as its in another city. We generally have an afternoon department-wide meeting with lots of updates, some awards and usually a quiz or other fun activity.
People then check in to the hotel, then meet up for the meal. Some head out to party after if they wish, but no-one is questioned if they want to leave after the meal.
Our theme this year is christmas jumpers - who can come up with the foulest

Goldiegirl

Now that I've finished with work, I don't have these anymore. But the last one I attended was about 1990. I just got fed up with the poor behaviour of certain colleagues. To be honest, it was embarrassing. So I just started saying 'no' to work do's. I never felt pressured to go, or to explain myself - a simple 'no thank you' sufficed.

LameWolf

I retired on medical grounds 15 years ago - but yes, when I was working I was always under pressure to go. I always resisted mightily on the following grounds:
1. I can't afford it (I was at that time skipping meals to make ends meet)
2. I don't do Xmas (I'm a Pagan, and celebrate Yule, the Winter Solstice)
3. I'm vegetarian, and sitting with 30 or so people all tucking into meat makes me feel ill.
4. I don't do crowds.
5. (The one I never actually stated) I work with these bu88ers all year, why on earth do I want to socialise with them?

Islandmaid

LameWolf wrote: »

5. (The one I never actually stated) I work with these bu88ers all year, why on earth do I want to socialise with them?

I concur with the above, I work with mainly men, and a 'night off from the misses' as one quaintly put it, seems to be a pass to drink as much as physically possible and make a whally of one's self....:eek:

The positive side of working with mainly men, is that you can be pretty blunt without causing too much offence - manager was just hacked off as he chose the venue, which is, in my opinion one of the worst places I,ve ever eaten in.

Glad I,m not the only 'misery' saying no to the do. X

To those who enjoy their do's - good on you, have a wonderful time X

VfM4meplse

We have a lot of corporate and social events at work - its a good employer.

I point blank refuse to stomach another overpriced and sub-standard meal I do not want, so opt out to "save the company money". With friends, I join them for post-meal drinks but again avoid the meal itself.

burtha

Gosh no :eek: .. have had the same job for 28 years , early years did the do (always paid for by work) , and hated it ..bunch of $&^_//^= giving daggers for what dress you had on,how much they had spent on dress,hair etc etc ....twisting about meal when getting hammered ... soon learnt to say no ..If they want a reason ...simple why would I want to spend time with people I dont like , eat plastic food ( vegatarian option always comes last lol) ,watch them get hammered,then get talked about for weeks for what I had on .... my option is quality time with my kids and no hassle ...

melanzana

Forced jollity with some of those you may not get on with? NO

Forced attendance at something that you might feel uncomfortable with? NO

TBH I gave up this lark for the last twenty years. i.e. the company "do" and no one ever missed me.... as I thought! But as long as I was happy who cares!

Anyway no more of that for me now as I escaped 10 years early. And loving it.

Meeting different groups that I worked with over the season is fantastic. No more than 6 at a time. We cope and enjoy it thoroughly and gossip to our heart's content!

That is because we want to, not because we feel we have to. There is a difference.

But some love the company do. Good luck, we are all so different. Making the call to suit yourself is the key.

PenguinOfDeath

bossymoo wrote: »

Ours is funded by the company. To be honest, they are quite nice. Travel is included, in work time as its in another city. We generally have an afternoon department-wide meeting with lots of updates, some awards and usually a quiz or other fun activity.
People then check in to the hotel, then meet up for the meal. Some head out to party after if they wish, but no-one is questioned if they want to leave after the meal.

Ooh do we work at the same place?!

bossymoo wrote: »

Our theme this year is christmas jumpers - who can come up with the foulest

Oh maybe not, thank god!