How to Survive an Office Party

If you’ve ever been to an office party odds are you’ve experienced some strange and interesting behaviors out of your colleagues. For some, an office party is an invitation to let loose and be yourself, but that isn’t always the best thing to do. There are certain things you can do at an office party to meet new people or become closer with your coworkers, but you can also cross the line of what is acceptable.  The following are some do’s and don’t’s to surviving an office party.

The Do’s

Office parties are a great way to interact with your coworkers on a more casual level. The key to successfully maneuvering your way around is to do everything in moderation. If there is alcohol available, only have 1 drink, 2 max depending on the length of the party. Too much alcohol and you create an image that can’t easily be erased. Work the room – don’t just stand and talk to those who you work the most with, branch out and meet new people. This is important because the more familiarity people have with you, the more likely your name is recognized, which can help you in the long run. If you stay and talk to only those that you work with you are putting yourself in a box, and you can fall into the “unknown employee zone” which doesn’t bode well for recognition’s sake. Lastly, avoid the office drunk. If one of your friends is pounding drinks, stay away from them. If they get drunk and make a bad decision, and you are spotted with them you are automatically associated with that sloppy behavior.

The Don’t’s

This seems simple enough, but I’ve seen it over and over again, DO NOT GET DRUNK AT THE OFFICE PARTY. Logical right? Too many times I’ve seen a coworker get drunk at an office party and make regrettable decisions. It only takes on time to get drunk in front of your coworkers to leave a lasting impression. You instantly become that person who can’t control their drinking.

Do not hit on, or hook up with, a coworker at an office party. Flirting with a coworker might seem like a harmless thing to do, but if feelings development it can create an awkward working environment. Mixing work with pleasure is a slippery slope.