Christmas is approaching and with it the company dinners. You’ve worked really hard all year and tonight could be a fun night.
A good dinner, some laughs and on top of that you don’t pay. What else do you want! Business dinners can be a kind of catharsis after a year locked in the office , where you can spend a night out with the people you spend the most hours a day with. More than with your partner…
How to behave at the company dinner
Business dinners are common in the month of December, just before Christmas. Although some companies, especially those that have staff with temporary contracts (for example, in the tourism sector), can organize them when the strong season ends and carry out a large reduction in staff until the following season. But regardless of the date, Company dinners are not a night out with friends, but with your co-workers and superiors
Therefore, we must not forget that the boss (or bosses and superiors) will be present at the company dinner and, therefore, it is important to take care of your reputation, your image and not to undermine your stay in the company. Needless to say, in these events it is necessary to dress appropriately, according to the situation and place, and it is necessary to arrive on time. But, also, if you do not want to make a bad impression away from the work environment, pay attention to the advice that I give you below, which will surely be useful to avoid leaving the company dinner in a bad way:
1. Don’t sit close to the boss
If you don’t want to be in the eye of the hurricane for the entire evening, The best thing you can do is not sit near the boss Unless you have a great relationship and want to sit together, avoid that area of the table.
You will surely want to enjoy the night, so the ideal is that you sit somewhere else, with your companions, where you can be yourself and enjoy their company. Therefore, it is important that you arrive on time and do not end up sitting right next to your superior because the other seats are busy.
2. Don’t start criticizing
Remember that company night is a night when you should leave work-related topics aside. The best thing is to enjoy this pleasant moment and have a good time with your colleagues
But the most important thing, and this should not be forgotten, is to avoid these situations to criticize your colleagues or bosses. Watch your words, don’t make the mistake of being a loudmouth.
3. Don’t be the boss’s boss
If the advice in point one is not to sit near the boss, at this point, I remind you that It is important that you do not go to the other extremes and be “the ball”
Regardless of whether your superior is bothered or not, your colleagues will surely notice your attitude and this will not benefit you at all, because you can make enemies within the company.
4. Don’t flirt with a partner in front of everyone
We can all feel attraction for that partner that we like so much, and, sometimes, that feeling can be mutual. What you do in your privacy is your problem.
However, if you let everyone know that there is more to you than just a working relationship, the entire office will soon know. It’s okay if you’re both serious, but if it’s a “roll,” discretion is best It goes without saying that if either of you has a partner, this can end badly.
5. Be careful with drinks (especially if you work the next day)
People already assume that tonight is a night to laugh and enjoy wine and a drink In our culture, for many people, party nights are not understood without the consumption of alcohol. This habit is not exactly good, but it is a socially accepted reality, and no one is going to look at you badly if you have a drink.
Now, if you drink too much, you will look bad in front of your company colleagues and your boss, and you may become a laughingstock for the next few weeks at the office.
6. Don’t talk with your mouth full
This is a different night than a work day would be, but that does not mean that we should lose our forms and let ourselves be carried away by bad manners. Therefore, be polite and don’t talk with your mouth full
7. Avoid sitting next to someone with whom you get along badly in the company
As mentioned, if possible, the ideal is to sit away from the boss. nevertheless, Another place that can make you uncomfortable at the table is sitting next to someone with whom you do not have a good relationship in the company If you don’t want to have an unpleasant time, look for another place where you feel more comfortable.
8. Be careful with social networks
New technologies and social networks are also present at these parties. So, if you want to preserve your privacy, avoid selfies or photos that could compromise you I’m sure you’ll appreciate it the next day.
9. Behave at the table and at the party
At the table and at the party you must maintain composure and appear respectful and polite It is easy for us to lose our temper or our manners with a few too many drinks. So, if you don’t want your boss to have a bad image of you, behave like an adult.
10. Be careful what you say
Alcohol can also disinhibit us and the informal situation that we can find at the company dinner can relax us. We must be careful with our words not only in terms of criticism For example, when telling a partner that you like him or when talking about difficult topics.
11. Don’t even think about taking your partner
Company dinners are generally for employees. If the other guests are alone and if they have not told you that it is allowed to attend with a partner, do not be the exception. Besides, You can end up isolated and talking about your personal life in a place that is not ideal