Written by Deborah Rothberg; Illustrated by Brian Moore
210 Office Holiday Party Landmines to Avoid – 1. Blow It Off
Either show up or have a good excuse about why you are otherwise engaged. You may risk offending the exact people you want to impress and subtly convince to advance your income bracket.
310 Office Holiday Party Landmines to Avoid – 2. Not Know Who You Are Talking To
Even if you dont recognize your boss without his or her fangs, its no excuse to not clarify who you are speaking to and how they got there before you mouth off about the sub-par quality of the appetizers.
410 Office Holiday Party Landmines to Avoid – 3. Get Plastered and Tell Your Boss How You Really, Really Feel
If you know you cant have more than two drinks without singing show tunes or slandering your workplace, for the love of God, please dont have three.
510 Office Holiday Party Landmines to Avoid – 4. Forget to Loosen Up
Tired of people only talking to you when theyre trying to pick out a keyboard or video game for their middle schooler? This is your chance to fix it.
610 Office Holiday Party Landmines to Avoid – 5. Wear Your Torn-Up Circa-1987 Guns N Roses Live T-Shirt
Nobody, we repeat, nobody wants to see your favorite teams football jersey or your most revealing ball gown at the holiday party. So play it safe and dont wear anything you wouldnt wear to the office. Remember, there will be pictures.
710 Office Holiday Party Landmines to Avoid – 6. Bring Uninvited Guests
Unless the office party invitation expressly invites you with guests, odds are they, and you, will be made to feel unwelcome.
810 Office Holiday Party Landmines to Avoid – 7. Spend the Whole Night Only Talking to Your Office Buddies
Hovering in the corner with the same two people you eat lunch with everyday doesnt make you look like youre very happy to be at the company and is a terrible impression to make when all the bigwigs are watching.
910 Office Holiday Party Landmines to Avoid – 8. Only Talk Shop
Leave the technobabble at the office. Everyone needs a break from work once in a while.
1010 Office Holiday Party Landmines to Avoid – 9. Assume People Wont Remember Your Foot-in-Mouth
If you step in it, clean up your mess with a quick, authentic apology and move on. Its the best way to make your blunder ancient history.
1110 Office Holiday Party Landmines to Avoid – 10. Forget Your Manners
No matter how big or impersonal the office party, make your mama proud: RSVP, arrive on time, dont overstay your welcome and thank your hosts before you leave.
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