Not drinking at work Christmas party

redrabbit29 · 5 Dec 2016 at 16:53

I'm sure many have been here - not wanting to drink at a social occasion but feeling like you're being anti social or a bit of a kill joy.

My team consists of about 10 people. I've been there 9 months and only been out once socially for a leaving party.

I'm reluctant to drink for two reasons:

1) I've heavily drank the last few weeks to the point that I really need a break as it's had an impact physically and mentally

2) I know work parties can get really messy and don't want to really stay till 2am with work colleagues (not friends).

I did consider just having a few drinks but you know what it's like, people often get drinks in without asking and suddenly you're drinking more than you wanted. This may sound like I have no control - partly true I guess - but equally it's so easy to get swept up in the party spirit.

I'm not a fan of work Christmas parties at all, I've spoke to others who feel similar.

Anyone else been in a similar situation?

gjrc · 5 Dec 2016 at 16:55

well just don't drink.

or just drink lightly.

i also have no control but its possible to go the whole night on pints of shandy (say 3) you are still drinking but will only end up having 1.5 pints total.

scorza · 5 Dec 2016 at 16:56

Yep - been told it's compulsory to attend the Christmas Do. Will use having to drive home as an excuse for not drinking and leaving early.

ruffneck · 5 Dec 2016 at 16:57

If you don't want to drink, don't drink.

your welcome

MikeTheNative · 5 Dec 2016 at 16:58

I never turn down free drinks.

If you don't want to drink then don't, I don't the others will mind. Probably will want a lift.

Sliver · 5 Dec 2016 at 16:59

ruffneck said:
If you don't want to drink, don't drink.

your welcome

This. Take control of your life and stop letting your life control you.

Tummy · 5 Dec 2016 at 16:59

'I'm just having a couple tonight.' or 'I'm not drinking tonight, thanks for the offer though.'
'Thanks, but I'll just have a <insert non alcoholic drink here>.'
'No, really it is ok, but I'm not drinking tonight.'

Have a back bone, just say you are not drinking or will only have one or two.

AHarvey · 5 Dec 2016 at 17:03

buy coke, tell them it's vodka and coke. If someone buys you one, leave it somewhere or tip it away or give it to someone else.

But, just saying, "nah guys, i've drunk too much in the last couple of weeks and want a night off" should be more than enough for a bunch of grown ups to understand.

TacticalFish · 5 Dec 2016 at 17:05

Just embrace it and get completely spangled.

Toxophilus · 5 Dec 2016 at 17:12

If you don't want to drink then simply don't drink. If you want an excuse then just say you are on Antibiotics or something like that and that you need to stick to soft drinks.

You should never feel under pressure to drink and if your colleagues don't respect your decision then you should be questioning what value any social relationship with then would have.

adolf hamster · 5 Dec 2016 at 17:14

Drive. Problem solved

scorza · 5 Dec 2016 at 17:15

It's not quite as easy as saying "just tell them you don't want to drink tonight" though is it? A lot of places have a "work hard, play hard" culture and you're expected to fit in with both bits. Not taking part in workplace nights out and banter can be a career limiting move.

ttaskmaster · 5 Dec 2016 at 17:16

I'm always "driving", as far as such people are concerned.
I also have three dogs at home alone, so I have to leave early if I want to avoid a house full of dog ****.

If they still can't accept that, they're not the sort of people I'd be partying with in the first place.
I don't usually go to such things anyway because I'm an anti-social *******, but that's just me!!

CREATIVE!11 · 5 Dec 2016 at 17:19

Just don't drink?

grudas · 5 Dec 2016 at 17:20

Want to drink - drink
Don't want to drink - don't drink

simples

AHarvey · 5 Dec 2016 at 17:20

scorza said:
It's not quite as easy as saying "just tell them you don't want to drink tonight" though is it? A lot of places have a "work hard, play hard" culture and you're expected to fit in with both bits. Not taking part in workplace nights out and banter can be a career limiting move.

if that's how it is then it's not a place I'd like to work because it's full of salesmen types who's ego's are over-enlarged to make up for a small man hood

You can still join in, have a laugh and a joke about without getting slaughtered or even drink. I used to attend a lot of works events and it never effected how people saw me that I didn't drink. I lived a £40 taxi ride away so always drove. No one gave two hoots.

Dave M · 5 Dec 2016 at 17:24

scorza said:
It's not quite as easy as saying "just tell them you don't want to drink tonight" though is it? A lot of places have a "work hard, play hard" culture and you're expected to fit in with both bits. Not taking part in workplace nights out and banter can be a career limiting move.

You're driving and will be setting off at 6am so you get to Ben Nevis in time for your night time hike up the north face?

or

You're driving and need to be up early to take your sick mother to her chemotherapy.

Whichever suits the work environment better.

Cosimo · 5 Dec 2016 at 17:25

It's not too difficult to make a few drinks last and not get slaughtered. So no need to worry, go out and enjoy your evening.

Slam62 · 5 Dec 2016 at 17:27

Don't go sounds crap

MadMossy · 5 Dec 2016 at 17:32

I don't drink so its a non issue, I am the designated taxi driver though, and of course I will be the one capturing the stupidity of my work colleagues to bribe them all with later on