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By: Stayce Wagner,
Founder of Spencer Crane Etiquette, LLC
(Guest Blogger)
Allow me to set the scene. You just approached the firm’s water cooler holding one of those lovely, red, plastic Dixie cups, to grab yourself a tall drink of water in the midst of a long day of paralegaling, when suddenly – you bump into Stayce Wagner! Much to your delight, you learn that Stayce is an expert in the area of etiquette. Even better, she turns to you and says, “Oh, you’re going to the office party this year? Should be a great time! Let me tell you what you really need to know about office party etiquette in real world terms.” Now, you’re obviously all ears because this really cool person just happens to be an expert and is telling you exactly what you need to know. Me, too!
Let’s see what she has to say…
It is office holiday party season. Finally, an opportunity to throw off those boring work clothes, forget about those pesky business etiquette rules and let the real you out!
Just kidding. (And if you didn’t catch the joke…I highly recommend that you continue reading.)
Seriously, have a great time – mingle, laugh and if you please, even imbibe a little, but never forget, you are at work. Even if the boss takes everyone on a trip to Hawaii or rents Malfoy Manor, you are still at work. Repeat after me: The office holiday party is a work function. The office holiday party is a work function. The office holiday party is a work function.
This doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time. I simply want you to avoid becoming one of the stories circulating at the water cooler on Monday morning – or worse, losing out on a hard-worked-for promotion. So remember…
1. Clothes make the woman (or man). The firm holiday party is not the place to express your fashion individuality. Nor is it is your Red Carpet moment to be daring. Ladies, this means no plunging necklines, bare backs, skyscraper heels or daringly high hemlines. Think glam, not Pam (as in Anderson). (Not to disparage Ms. Anderson, but I think she would agree that her look doesn’t resonate as the go-to office party look.) Guys, wear a nice jacket and a nice pair of freshly pressed slacks, minimum. And if the event is formal, wear a tie, please!
Bottom line: you want your boss and your colleagues to think, “she/he looks great,” not “what is she/he wearing?”
2. Proceed to the bar with caution. Yes, some of your colleagues will get drunk at the event. Don’t let that be your cue to follow suit. It isn’t worth the risk to your reputation or your career. If you are a lightweight, stick to soft drinks and water. If someone asks why you are not drinking alcohol, just say that you are a designated driver for the evening.
Bottom line: enjoy alcohol with great moderation. You don’t want to be caught crossed-eyed, slurring words or staggering to the open bar.
3. Be entertained, not the entertainment. I regularly warn against participating in karaoke, the most horrifying of office party add-ons (whose idea was this?). But if you just have to take to the stage, limit yourself to one song (a group effort is always a safe bet) and make sure the lyrics are office and event appropriate. Leave the sexy or expletive-laced songs for a night of fun with friends.
Bottom line: even if you really can sing, your colleagues didn’t come to the holiday party to be serenaded by you and as you launch into song number three, I all but guarantee that they will begin to wonder what is wrong with you.
4. Play, don’t work. Circulate and socialize with colleagues and higher-ups with whom you don’t work on a daily basis. Of course, be aware of your firm’s culture. (I once worked at a law firm that held separate holiday events for the attorneys and the staff. Morale at the firm was, not surprisingly, very low.) Avoid using the holiday party as a forum to pitch your new ideas to your boss – she may really want to enjoy the festivities, so why risk annoying her?
Bottom line: have fun, but adhere to your firm’s rules of protocol and of course, follow the rules of appropriate work conversation: avoid politics, sex, religion and health issues.
5. Mingle, don’t commingle. The office holiday party really isn’t the time to make your move on the cute guy or girl you’ve been crushing on all year. While you both may be consenting and available adults, remember two things: (1) that even the tiniest bit of alcohol can impair judgment, and (2) it could be the excitement of the event, not the person, that is urging you to take action.
Bottom line: regret is a powerful emotion. And to quote Forrest Gump, “That’s all that I have to say about that.”
Have a great time!
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Stayce Wagner works as an intellectual property paralegal. She is also the owner and founder of Spencer Crane Etiquette, LLC, located in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Wagner is a certified Corporate Etiquette and International Protocol Consultant trained by the Protocol School of Washington.
Spencer Crane Etiquette is dedicated to teaching the art of using business etiquette skills to advance careers and to build productive and pleasant work environments. Clients of Spencer Crane Etiquette learn proper and relevant business etiquette and dining skills in an informative, entertaining and supportive environment. All consultations and training sessions are tailored to each client’s specific situation and needs.
You can visit Stayce’s site, Spencer Crane Etiquette, LLC at: www.spencercrane.com
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We hope to see Stayce hanging out at the TPS water cooler again soon, don’t you, TPSers?! We just love her articles.
We’ll see you on Friday! Until then, seize every moment, and obey the holiday party etiquette rules… so you can avoid becoming the next fascinating topic of conversation when that delighful co-worker makes the grand approach to the water cooler holding that red, plastic Dixie cup, following this year’s holiday office party!
Bottom line: Enjoy the water! Maintain the reputation.
See you soon.
p.s.
You can bet your bottom dollar you’re probably going to see some of the things listed in our 2 recent etiquette articles as “no-no’s” at your holiday party this year. If so — come tell us about it!
The Paralegal Society™ 
I really liked this article. I agree with everything Ms.Wagner wrote. I’ve attended all kinds of holiday parties. Anywhere from just me and the boss at a local pizza parlor, to a full blown catered dinner at the golf course with dancing and open bar afterwards. Although I enjoyed the dancing at the time, I prefer the pizza parlor these days. One thing that ran true for me in this article is to remember that your are still at work. I think she said this like 10x. Don’t act like a dork just because it’s a more relaxing setting. I always try and find the people I feel most comfortable with and try to hang with them as much as possible. Even though an office party is a chance to mingle with others I find myself clinging to those I’m most familar with and just try to make it through to the end. One other thing I would recommend for those trying to score points with co-workers is to offer to set up or clean up. Parties don’t just happen by themselves. They take a lot of work. People appreciate it when you offer to help and sometimes you can bond with other co-workers in the process.
Thank you Eric! It is always great to hear when a blog strikes a chord with someone. The phrase “office party” really is an oxymoron, don’t you think?
Very good article, good points, timely. The question is, will those who really need to read it – read it? Maybe someone could print it out and post it on the fridge in the cafeteria or on each stall in the mens and ladies’ rooms. Gotta get the word out!
Great post! Very informative, thought provoking and amusing. Over the years, I’ve attended many “office” parties and have had the pleasure and also the pain of observing first hand some of the scenarios Stayce describes in her blog.
This advice is great – and something that benefits all of us as a teaching point but also as a reminder. It is funny this is posted because I was just talking about our annual office party with someone last night. We were trying to figure out what motivates a person to drink too much in front of not only the boss but the boss’s boss and up the line. She said that she believes it is because people think that they are “entitled” to eat and drink as much as they want because “the company or firm owes it to me.” So, I would add to Stayce’s advice to remember that you are not owed anything. Be grateful for what you have and act accordingly.
Jennifer – glad you enjoyed the blog.
Great insight! I hadn’t thought of it that way, but I agree that the entitlement devil seems to be at the root of some of our misguided manners choices.
Great article Stayce. As a musician I’ve experienced a fair share of corporate events and private parties. The day after stories about employees and/or their family have become legendary examples of what not to do for years (and years…and years…and years) later. Employees may leave, but their stories live on as office gossip for generations of new comers to enjoy and learn from. We’ll have to find the time to in the near future to recall some of my favorites.