Work Christmas Parties: 2009 Edition

mike_v_s · #1 11-21-2009, 07:06 PM

Too early? Too bad. My work is already gearing up for this year's suckfest, so I'm already bitching about it. I read through last year's thread and realized I never capped it off.

(rewind)

So, I ended up going, though I can't remember why. As predicted, it WAS like being a passenger on the Titanic, only with bad food, no lifeboats, and people walking around knee-deep in freezing water talking about what an awesome cruise they were on.

It was held at the (horse) racetrack....again. There was a buffet. I'm not normally a buffet-guy, but I needed something to put in my stomach to accompany the alcohol, so I ventured over to the table. My best guess is that the "beef-like" meat was the loser of the previous race. The chicken/fish was OK, but I stopped eating it when a coworker and I couldn't decide which one it was. Salad and rolls ruled the afternoon.

Along with coworkers I'm not too fond of, the owner brought his mom and his brother brought his mistress. I went downstairs to the bar with a few friends. I emerged later a changed man and just in time to watch the boat sink as our secretary (who insisted the Christmas Party be renamed the "Year End Party") put the finishing touches on what appeared to be some rehearsed "thank you" BS that eventually named everyone there and gave us all fake nicknames that didn't seem to line up with any characteristic.

My fellow employee-bar patrons and I planned a trip to the French Quarter and I called my wife to met me down there. We abandoned ship. That evening involved a lot of unwise drinking and at least two people attempting to violate marital vows with coworkers. I wasn't one of them, but some dude did lick the side of my face.

Bringing me to today (no, I never called that dude back). The party is planned again this year at the same disasterous location and two of the after-party-drinkers are already making plans that involve me on Bourbon Street. Last year was messy in the social sense and made for a lot of uncomfortable conversations lasting into the new year about what did/didn't happen. I had people that didn't attend asking me who did what and what I saw. One of them was the owner. The easiest explanation that got me off the hook? "I was too drunk to notice". Nice. And classy, too.

So, as usual, I'm not looking forward to this year's "celebration". Finding a good excuse is the speedbump. I'm thinking of voluntarily involving myself in a single car accident.

Mike

CBgaragebassist · #2 11-21-2009, 07:11 PM

Sounds like an alright night after you ditched. Apart from the people almost breaking their vows and such. And the face-licking. That's never fun. Just wondering, why the racetrack?

mike_v_s · #3 11-21-2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBgaragebassist

Sounds like an alright night after you ditched. Apart from the people almost breaking their vows and such. And the face-licking. That's never fun. Just wondering, why the racetrack?

It had several downsides, but I was trying to keep it somewhat topical and short(ish). Hard to respect some people after what I saw.

I can tell you it was chosen in 2007 as something new. I think we've stuck with it because the guy footing the bill is cheap and has zero taste in food. He loves buffets. I seriously might have preferred salted roadkill over the beef-like offering from last year. I've been a little sick this year, so I'm not sure my immuse system is up to the challenge. If I go, I'll either sneak a taco in or see what else they have to offer that isn't cooked in battalion quantities.

Mike

iamlowsound · #4 11-21-2009, 09:51 PM

Mine was tonight, the food was great, the people were fun and only a few people got felt up (uninvited) and I wasn't one of them. All in all a great night with a profit sharing cheque at the end.

lowsound

Jim Campbell · #5 11-21-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_v_s

It had several downsides, but I was trying to keep it somewhat topical and short(ish). Hard to respect some people after what I saw.

I can tell you it was chosen in 2007 as something new. I think we've stuck with it because the guy footing the bill is cheap and has zero taste in food. He loves buffets. I seriously might have preferred salted roadkill over the beef-like offering from last year. I've been a little sick this year, so I'm not sure my immuse system is up to the challenge. If I go, I'll either sneak a taco in or see what else they have to offer that isn't cooked in battalion quantities.

Mike

usually best to show up,say hello to everyone you need to and have a "family gathering" that you are"late" for as a bailout plan

crimson_basser · #6 11-22-2009, 01:37 PM

Mine is on the 5th of December.

Last year was the first time I was even invited to the Christmas Party. I had been working there for 2 years already.

It was a joint party, for all the stores that our owner owned, and we were the worst represented of them all. I work for a pharmacy, and the only people there were about 6 lab techs, 6-7 cashiers/floor people, no one from cosmetics and ONE manager.

Not even the pharmacist himself was present.

Either way, most people from my store found out I worked there THAT night. Since then however, I have made friends with most of the cashiers and floor people, as they are mostly my age anyways.

This year, it seems like a good 80% of the store is going, and almost everybody knows who I am, so I think it will be a lot more fun this year.

Our party is held a pretty big hall that serves good food. I dont drink, but from what I was told the bar was decent as well. Plus, the desserts were buffet style. Cant beat all you can eat cake and pastries.

I think its going to a lot of fun for me this time, there is music and dancing and from what I understand, the plan is were all going to make fools of ourselves on the floor.

Im actually looking forward to it.

Joe Gress · #7 11-22-2009, 01:46 PM

Unemployed.

capnsandwich · #8 11-22-2009, 01:57 PM

We usually have one every year but it's been canceled for the last 2 years since funds aren't there for it, (I work in the automotive industry.) I've been working here for 9 years but I have yet to go to one of these parties due to hearing about stuff that happened that's very similar to the stuff that happens at the OP's party. I can't succumb to that kind of behavior. I don't drink and I don't cheat so what else is there to do? Be bored I guess. I see these people 5-6 days a week so why would I take one of my days off and hang out with them? I have nothing against the people I work with but they're not necessarily people I'd consider hanging out with. There's a few guys and girls there that I've played music with but they're thinking the same thing I am and they won't go IF they have it this year. I have a wife and kids that would love to spend the evening with me so I think I'm doing that this year....again!

Microbass · #9 11-22-2009, 04:04 PM

Our clique in uni go for a meal then hit the clubs - a night that has been aptly named Physmas.

Last years work night out was good until the very end and things got a little messy. This year is nice knowing that I shall be within walking distance of home so can leave whenever I want; however it seems likely that there's going one person present not from our store that I have recently had a growing disdain for (read: married man with a kid on the way has been hitting on the girl i'm seeing).

crimson_basser · #10 11-22-2009, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Gress

Unemployed.

Party on Wayne

blendermassacre · #11 11-22-2009, 06:08 PM

Bad Work christmas parties always end up like good highschool parties: cheap beer, loose women, bad food, and awkward mornings.

JimB52 · #12 11-22-2009, 06:30 PM

Our company Christmas parties used to be fantastic.
Held in 4-star hotels, great food and drink, good bands, lots of funny stories to tell the next day.
One year it was held after hours in a major art museum, with amazing food, top shelf booze, 2 bands and celebrity guests.
Due to repeated budget cuts, we haven't had one at all for 3-4 years. I kind of miss them.

Ziltoid · #13 11-22-2009, 07:00 PM

Mine is somewhere in december, around the 12th I think. Chinese resto...
It's going to suck knowing every part time loose their job in January...

Chunk-O-Funk · #14 11-22-2009, 07:12 PM

No Christmas party. I work for some real stingy people.

Joe Gress · #15 11-22-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crimson_basser

Party on Wayne

Oh I plan on it. We don't have to follow rules when we party either.

crimson_basser · #16 11-22-2009, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Gress

Oh I plan on it. We don't have to follow rules when we party either.

If its your own party, you make the rules. Win/win if you ask me.

Absentia · #17 11-23-2009, 05:13 AM

Got the yearly ummmm... charity? Christmas party, going to be balls out crazy as usual and take 2-3 days to recover from.

ADbassman · #18 11-23-2009, 05:54 AM

I work for a gourmet restaurant/catering company in a historic hotel, so we usually have a good time. We usually make a massive buffet and have an open bar while watching a football game or something. Food is great since we're all trained culinarians, so it's a good time.

coreyfyfe · #19 11-23-2009, 06:31 AM

We're doing ice skating on Boston Common followed by dinner at a fancy restaurant. Works since we're a small company (25 or so). It's in a few weeks, but I also have a final scheduled for one of my classes that night 6-830, so I have to try to get the professor to let me take the final earlier in the day, take a half day from work, and then meet back up with them before heading out. Should be interesting. The last one I went to was for an internship I did, which was hosted in January as a "holiday party" to avoid conflicts with scheduling. That one was nice, good food, nice place, good band, plus everyone had a guest. My company now is a little small for that.

buzzbass · #20 11-23-2009, 08:14 AM

I'm skipping mine this year. Things are very tight, and I'm just not feeling festive. F-christmas