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Not sure if anyone has done a statistical study on this particular issue, but in business folklore there
is the common belief that many a career has been torpedoed at the annual holiday office party.
If not torpedoed, certainly embarrassed.
When it comes to office party etiquette it seems that many of us are like the toddler who has to learn from experience not to touch the stove because it's hot---you can tell us a million times but until we get burned we can't seem to help ourselves.
Or maybe we simply don't care if we do get burned. Perhaps its just the fun of seeing coworkers ,managers and bosses let their hair loose. Perhaps seeing this other side of co-workers makes it easier in day-to -day negotiations to have that picture of that person doing that thing at the office party.
For what its worth when I went surfing to see what others had to say about office party etiquette it does seem that the women bloggers are more concerned about this issue than their male counterparts. It's actually hard to find a business etiquette piece written by a guy. Does that mean that guys don't believe that their behavior at said party could actually change the direction of their career? Or do men just think the only thing they have to keep in mind etiquette wise is to stay sober?
There are two genres of holiday office etiquette. There's the real advice from business etiquette experts and there are the cautionary tales from those who have been there and done that.
If you are seriously looking for advice on this topic there are lots of people sharing their opinions. Just type in Office Party Etiquette and Google will provide you with lots of people who have something to say about what you should and shouldn't do at your office holiday party. Lydia Ramsey of The Sideroad has answers to questions like, "Do I Have To Go?" and "How Long Do I Have to Stay?"
Personally, my preferences go to the genre of the office party cautionary tale.
From Kathy Zappa, Blog Navigator for The Power Up! Blog
Oh the stories I could tell! One of my favorite stories happened just last year when I was employed at a very large company. At the party, there were numerous photo booths placed around the ballroom. You know, the cheesy ones you see in the malls where you cram in and try to smile normally as an incredibly bright flash renders you squinty eyed and dazed after the first shot. Employees lined up at the booths all night and as the night wore on and more drinks were consumed the pictures got a lot more interesting. Little did anyone know, all the pictures were recorded and posted to the company website Monday morning before anyone could screen them. As word got out, phone calls, emails and texts were flying back and forth between departments and screams, gasps, “Isn’t she married?” “Nice tattoo.” “I didn’t know they were dating!” “Are those real?” and “I’m so fired,” were heard numerous times before the site was finally shut down a little over an hour later. By then, the damage was done.
While many companies hold their parties off premise, there are some that still have their annual party festiviities in office. For that Miss Mentor has some advice on what you CAN do with a copy machine.
1. BEFORE the bottle is open, you can copy a picture of your smiling FACE next to the bottle. When the original comes out decide if you will use it as the interoffice invite (deliver by hand for extra style points), your holiday card (shrink to postcard size and copy onto card stock), or simply as fine art for your cubicle (please remove after 2 weeks).
2.AFTER the bottle is open, don’t even think about going near the copier. Don’t do it. You’ll look like a Scottish fella in a field full of sheep. You’ll be busted by the office prude so fast your head will spin . . . more. Remember, YouTube is everywhere. It’s worse than Big Brother.
In 2005 SharpWoman Granberry Nunnally did provide some advice to men on achieving a "Highly Successful Office Holiday Part Interaction." It deals with advice on selecting the perfect date.
Conservative vs. Flashy: If you work in a pretty traditional workplace — (coats and ties, significant number of older folks, religious
