Do's and don'ts during office X-mas parties revealed
London, Nov 14 (ANI)
The office Christmas party is one of the highlights of the professional social calendar, but it seems this annual festivity can be as daunting as it is fun.
Over half of Britons confessed that they avoid the festivities completely for fear of committing a faux pas in front of their colleagues, the Daily Mail reported.
Small talk trepidation and dance floor dread means many of us will shun the champagne for the sofa, in a bid to avoid festive fun altogether, with women more likely to stay away than men.
A new survey has revealed that more than one in five (22 percent) of office workers admitted to their very own Bridget Jones moment after misreading the dress code during the party season.
Drinking too much is the biggest fear among a fifth surveyed, with alcohol-fuelled embarrassment a particular panic for those in the North West (27 percent) and London (28 percent).
A not-so-subtle one in ten admit to having called in sick following the work Christmas party with Londoners being the most likely to pull a "sicky" (22 percent) compared to just 5 percent of those angels in the South West.
Making inappropriate remarks makes nearly one in five nervous (17 percent), while mishaps under the mistletoe puts the fear into one in seven (14 percent), and one in ten admit to worrying about setting tongues wagging with dubious dance moves.
However, this year a firm set of "Dos" and "Don'ts" is available for the less socially skilled amongst us to guide professionals effortlessly through the networking nightmare that can ensue when career, colleagues, alcohol and bad music are mixed.
The guide has been written by Debrett's the authority on modern manners and etiquette, and includes advice on maximizing networking opportunities and top tips on what to avoid such as letting 'bonhomie turn into sleaze and keep goodnight kisses innocent.
Jo Bryant, etiquette advisor for Debrett's, said: "Although festive celebrations can seem intimidating, the office party is the perfect place to impress."
"There is the opportunity to talk to those hard-to-reach people, as well as socialise with colleagues outside of the confines of the office.
"Join in the camaraderie and indulge in the Christmas spirit, but know when to draw the line. It is important to maintain your professional gloss at all times," Bryant added.