Holiday Office Party Etiquette
At certain times of the year, business owners host formal and sometimes elaborate holiday parties. But at the very least, excess celebration and etiquette mistakes can become fodder for next day stories and eventually legend for future parties. Worse yet, these mistakes can be devastating to one's professional career and even be the end of it.
So, what do you need to know to navigate the holiday office party like a pro? Sharon Schweitzer offers ten rules for navigating the do's and don'ts of holiday office party etiquette as follows:
- Do RSVP: Be sure to respond to an invitation within 48 hours, regardless of whether it comes via Evite, email, telephone or traditional methods. As much as you may not wish to attend, you must. Attendance is practically mandatory — failing to go to the annual holiday party sends a negative message. Executives and upper management will take note.
- Do Arrive & Depart on Time: Pay attention to the time that you arrive and when you leave. Arriving "fashionably late" is inappropriate. Do not arrive early, but do plan to arrive within the first 15-20 minutes. Even if you truly do not want to attend, avoid arriving 30 minutes before the end just to make an appearance.
- Don't Bring an Extra Guest: Be sure to read the invitation carefully. Know the company policy on guests, or whether the event is "Employees Only" or has a "Plus One"'. Discreetly check ahead of time to determine whether spouses or dates are welcome.
- Greet Hosts, Colleagues & Party Planners: When you arrive at the party, be sure to greet, thank and shake hands with your hosts and the party planners. If it is a company or partnership owned by more than one individual, be sure to thank all of them! Chat briefly and compliment an aspect of the party that you sincerely enjoyed such as the catering, music, or décor. Limit this to 5 minutes and move on.
- Don't Hide in the Corner: Everyone watches the entrance to a room. When you arrive, do not head straight for the bar or buffet. Enter, pause, step to the right, greet and shake hands with the person standing there. Executives enjoy speaking with employees. Your company party may be one of the few times you see them in person. Introduce yourself, state the department you work in and shake hands. This is a good time to become visible to your organization's leadership. Greet your superiors, and chat with as many colleagues as you can, introducing yourself to those that you do not know well. Greet co-workers warmly, and with a smile on your face. Resist the urge to spend the entire evening with your office buddies — get in the spirit and mingle with people from other departments. At all costs, avoid appearing bored and ready to dash for the door.
- Don't Give a Monologue: Strive to keep business talk to a minimum! When socializing with business colleagues it can be difficult not to talk shop. Instead, view the office party as an opportunity to get to know colleagues a little better on a personal level. Stay with topics such as travel, children, sports, pets and movies. Remember to avoid politics, sex and religion. Keep discussions positive and no more than 5-10 minutes. Avoid gossiping, complaining and bragging. The party is intended to be a time to celebrate the successes of the year. A cheerful mood is in order!
- Don't Wear That! Pay attention to the attire listed on the invitation. The holiday party may be a festive occasion; however it is still attended by your coworkers. This especially applies to women who are sometimes tempted to use company parties to strut their stuff. Leave short, tight or revealing clothing in the closet. Use good taste to select an elegant outfit and leave the over-the-knee-boots for purely social events. Creating a professional image is hard work; don't undermine it in one evening.
- Don't Binge at the Buffet: Eat a small amount of protein beforehand. You were not invited because the hosts thought you were hungry! Be considerate of others and remember your etiquette basics — keep hands clean and avoid a mouth full of hors d'oeuvres. Avoid walking around with a full plate, do not double dip or eat over the chafing dish, and properly discard toothpicks, napkins, and plates.
- Don't be Monday's Gossip: This is probably the most common mistake that executives make during the holiday party. Alcohol and a loose tongue may add up to a regretful Monday morning equation. Consider tea, club soda or water. If you choose to drink, do so responsibly. Remember to carry your refreshment in your left hand. Leave your right hand free for handshaking.
- Don't Clap for Yourself: The CEO may offer a toast during the evening. When the toast is for a colleague, raise your glass at the conclusion of the toast, when the host raises their glass. Do not touch your glass with everyone else; it is unnecessary and distracting. Pause afterward and watch. The recipient will most likely reciprocate with a toast. If you have been a star performer, you may be honored with a toast. Stand and accept it gracefully. Refrain from drinking to a toast offered in your honor; this is akin to clapping for yourself. Be sure to stand and make a toast to the person who toasted you, thanking them for the recognition.
Editor's Footnote
In the Western culture, if you want to get along, you need to go along — but with what? We think that Sharon provides here the necessary insights to basic behavior at typical high-visibility business management functions.
Be aware, however, that when travelling in the international arena on overseas projects, customs amongst other countries and their cultures can sometimes be significantly different. So, as Sharon Schweitzer noted at the beginning, take time to research and learn about what is acceptable, expected, and comfortable for both you and your contacts. In short, do your homework before you travel!
If you are interested in Asian business etiquette, Sharon is also author of the international business book: Access to Asia, which has business etiquette advice for Western travelers to any of 10 Asian countries.
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