8 Things NOT to Do at the Holiday Office Party

Shared from GIJobs.com Unlike a lot of post-military transition elements, holiday parties should be one that isn’t completely foreign to you. Whether they were holiday themed or not, military balls, dining outs and even “mandatory-fun” gatherings should be extremely familiar to you at this point. But in this case, familiar most definitely doesn’t mean the same. Here are a few tips on things you shouldn’t do at your new civilian company’s holiday party. 8. Be a Live Twitter Feed You don’t work for TMZ. You’re not Perez Hilton. And I’m willing to bet your twitter following is smaller than your last unit. So there’s no reason that you need to be updating the world real-time of the party’s happenings. Your new co-workers will be grateful for you not broadcasting party photos or leaking the interoffice make-out session you walked in on. And as for your twitter, trust me, less is more. 7. Show Too Much Skin Listen, I’m a female. I get it. Going to a semi-formal function and not having to wear a dress uniform has to be closely comparable to escaping the Amish sisterhood. But unless you want a questionable reputation right from the start, I’d leave the club clothes in the closet. Classy, not trashy, is the name of the game. 6. Discuss Hot Political Topics Just like you don’t work for TMZ, chances are you don’t work for CSPAN either. So interviewing your co-workers on recent Supreme Court rulings or polling for a company-wide presidential rating at the holiday party is highly discouraged. There will be enough personality conflict in the workplace; drawing political lines in the sand will only add unnecessary animosity come Monday morning. 5. Confess Whether any of us are willing to admit it or not, alcohol loosens thy lips. So listen carefully as I emphasize this point. Now is not the time to confess your secret attraction for the office secretary. Now is not the time to confess to HR the little white lies on your resume. And now is most certainly not the time to confess any deeply hidden wartime regrets. If you start feeling these confession urges, put down the alcohol and make an appointment with your local priest. 4. Get a DUI The military is generally known for its strict rules on DUIs. And if you’ve ever been unlucky enough to be standing at the BN CSM’s desk on a Sunday morning with three of your closest superiors, you know what I mean. It just so happens DUIs are also frowned upon in the civilian workplace, go figure . So that coupled with most states following at-will employment laws, you could easily be terminated when your company sees you as a liability. 3. Not Mingle As you’re reading this whole list of things not to do, it’s easy to start envisioning yourself sitting in the corner dressed in a trench coat, drinking nothing but water, and not uttering a single word to anyone for fear of politics or a confession slipping out. But let me remind you, this is the prime opportunity to mingle with new people you might not see every day. So use this list as a guideline; don’t dwell on everything that could go wrong. Get out there and introduce yourself to the CEO, key clients or co-workers from satellite offices. The relaxed party environment is perfect for making a great first impression. 2. Regurgitate your DD214 You’re the new kid on the block and with the alcohol flowing, chances are your co-workers will become a little more bold and start asking about your time in the military. In my personal experience, I’ve found it best to have a few, short and to the point canned responses to offer. Keeping it short and sweet will save you from a two-hour recount of everything from wetting the bed your first day of basic to a detailed reenactment of your third firefight in the dirt alleys of Fallujah. 1. Get Hammered Last on the list should (hopefully) mean first in your mind. For the love of all that is red white and blue. Do. Not. Get. Drunk. Yes, I can already hear you proclaiming, “But, I proudly earned my Drinking Buddy Ribbon on a post-deployment four-day bender outside Fort Hood! I can handle my liquor!” Trust me when I tell you, everything I’ve listed on this list is easily avoidable by keeping your alcohol consumption in check. And if you’re still feeling the urge for some heavy drinking, save it for your family party, where you’ll really need it. Connect with us on Facebook!

8 Things NOT to Do at the Holiday Office Party

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