Why the Holiday Party Is Not a Party—It’s Work

Reader Comments
Back to blog

I've seen some awful situations where people have drunk too much and regretted it the next day. It's never pretty.
Being close to teetotaller myself, I've been able to make some fantastic connections and network while watching others drink too much!
BTW, nice to see what you look like EHRL! :-)

Melinda 10:08PM December 15, 2008

I don't take my wife to work so I don't take her to business functions either. Work life stays at work. Private life stays at home.

Anonymouse of WA 12:22PM December 12, 2008

Great article, Evil HR Lady.

wwds of MN 9:54AM December 12, 2008

About 1/4 of a drink per hour is enough alcohol for YOU. Let the others load up and you do the polite listening. You will learn a great deal about people you work with. They get tipsy. You do not, but rather tune up your radar.
After my first Christmas party with a difficult boss, I went to the HR guy and asked him (jokingly) if we could change the no alcohol policy at the company to allow this particular CEO to be under the influence of precisely 3 beers at all times. He was a much more empathetic person about nearly every subject while in that condition. Sober, he was ever on the defensive.

of 11:10AM December 11, 2008