Good Grief! Etiquette blunders to avoid at holiday office parties
How will you avoid excessiveness at the office holiday party?
Charlie Brown and Linus are trudging through the snow on a frigid, blustery day. They encounter Snoopy, shivering and miserable beside his very empty dog dish. Offering encouragement, they say to their hungry, furry friend, “Be of good cheer, Snoopy.”
This classic Peanuts cartoon serves as a timely reminder that we need to “be of good cheer” at holiday work parties. Tis the season to celebrate with colleagues, but party-goers often are remiss in exercising their responsibility to be gracious guests of good cheer — albeit not too much good cheer. Too much of a good thing (i.e., excessiveness) can lead to disastrous outcomes that leave unfavorable impressions.
Excessiveness is defined as “going beyond what is usual, normal or proper.” The harsh reality is that any excessiveness in consumption/behavior leads to problematic outcomes. For example, excessive borrowing and spending lead to high debt and bankruptcy; excessive eating may lead to unhealthy weight gain. You get the point.
The next time you promptly RSVP “yes” to an office party, heighten your self-awareness and self-restraint and avoid these blunders of excessiveness:
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption– Being the “life of the party” can jeopardize your professional reputation under the watchful scrutiny of upper management. Eat a snack before and set a personal limit of moderation. Personify sophistication while holding a wine glass, too. It’s called stemware for a reason. The proper way to hold a wine glass is by the stem, not the bowl.
Avoid arriving excessively early or staying too late– Arrive on time, especially if there will be congratulatory toasts or expressions of acknowledgement. Don’t linger and overstay your welcome.
Avoid excessive chattering – Keen listening is the key to brilliant conversation. It energizes conversation partners, making you a delightful guest. Unfortunately, some have an illusion of superiority and think their listening skills are better than they actually are. People often listen to reply, instead of listening to understand. The French philosopher Voltaire eloquently cautioned, “When I listen, I have the power, but when I talk, I give it away.”
Avoid excessive complaining – “Be of good cheer” and exude positivity. No one likes to be around a Debbie Downer or a Negative Ned.
There’s a question at hand for the end of the occasion too: When leaving a party early, should I find the host and say goodbye or discreetly slip out the door? The answer depends on the number of party attendees. If it’s an intimate gathering, say 10 or fewer, it’s polite to bid a personal farewell, thanking the host for a lovely time. If it’s a larger gathering, explain to the host before arrival that you unfortunately must depart early and then leave quietly.
Most importantly, touch the heart of the host with a handwritten note attached to a thoughtful host gift. Express in the note why you value their relationship. Be creative and give something other than wine, which is perfectly acceptable but all too common. Other gift ideas include baked goods/homemade breakfast casserole to be enjoyed by the fatigued host the next morning; holiday candles; an eclectic frame holding the party invite; or a floral centerpiece delivered the morning of the event for all to enjoy.
In the beloved “A Charlie Brown Christmas” TV special, Lucy ponders, “Are you afraid of responsibility, Charlie Brown?” Charlie Brown laments, “Everything I do turns into a disaster.” Protect your career and avoid your own disaster. Good grief! Be elegant with your holiday etiquette so that you are invited back and your next time in the office is a pleasant one with no regrets.
Reported by: Bizjournals.com
Charlie Brown and Linus are trudging through the snow on a frigid, blustery day. They encounter Snoopy, shivering and miserable beside his very empty dog dish. Offering encouragement, they say to their hungry, furry friend, “Be of good cheer, Snoopy.”
This classic Peanuts cartoon serves as a timely reminder that we need to “be of good cheer” at holiday work parties. Tis the season to celebrate with colleagues, but party-goers often are remiss in exercising their responsibility to be gracious guests of good cheer — albeit not too much good cheer. Too much of a good thing (i.e., excessiveness) can lead to disastrous outcomes that leave unfavorable impressions.
Excessiveness is defined as “going beyond what is usual, normal or proper.” The harsh reality is that any excessiveness in consumption/behavior leads to problematic outcomes. For example, excessive borrowing and spending lead to high debt and bankruptcy; excessive eating may lead to unhealthy weight gain. You get the point.
The next time you promptly RSVP “yes” to an office party, heighten your self-awareness and self-restraint and avoid these blunders of excessiveness:
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption– Being the “life of the party” can jeopardize your professional reputation under the watchful scrutiny of upper management. Eat a snack before and set a personal limit of moderation. Personify sophistication while holding a wine glass, too. It’s called stemware for a reason. The proper way to hold a wine glass is by the stem, not the bowl.
Avoid arriving excessively early or staying too late– Arrive on time, especially if there will be congratulatory toasts or expressions of acknowledgement. Don’t linger and overstay your welcome.
Avoid excessive chattering – Keen listening is the key to brilliant conversation. It energizes conversation partners, making you a delightful guest. Unfortunately, some have an illusion of superiority and think their listening skills are better than they actually are. People often listen to reply, instead of listening to understand. The French philosopher Voltaire eloquently cautioned, “When I listen, I have the power, but when I talk, I give it away.”
Avoid excessive complaining – “Be of good cheer” and exude positivity. No one likes to be around a Debbie Downer or a Negative Ned.
There’s a question at hand for the end of the occasion too: When leaving a party early, should I find the host and say goodbye or discreetly slip out the door? The answer depends on the number of party attendees. If it’s an intimate gathering, say 10 or fewer, it’s polite to bid a personal farewell, thanking the host for a lovely time. If it’s a larger gathering, explain to the host before arrival that you unfortunately must depart early and then leave quietly.
Most importantly, touch the heart of the host with a handwritten note attached to a thoughtful host gift. Express in the note why you value their relationship. Be creative and give something other than wine, which is perfectly acceptable but all too common. Other gift ideas include baked goods/homemade breakfast casserole to be enjoyed by the fatigued host the next morning; holiday candles; an eclectic frame holding the party invite; or a floral centerpiece delivered the morning of the event for all to enjoy.
In the beloved “A Charlie Brown Christmas” TV special, Lucy ponders, “Are you afraid of responsibility, Charlie Brown?” Charlie Brown laments, “Everything I do turns into a disaster.” Protect your career and avoid your own disaster. Good grief! Be elegant with your holiday etiquette so that you are invited back and your next time in the office is a pleasant one with no regrets.
Reported by: Bizjournals.com
