When the festive season arrives, that can only mean one thing: it’s the time of Office Christmas Parties! Whether you look forward to or dread these occasions, there are a few points of etiquette that can help them flow more smoothly and be more enjoyable, too.
Here are a few of our tips for handling conversations at the office work party.
Do you really have to go?
If the thought of attending the office party is a source of dread for you, you can always plead a prior commitment that night and skip it. But if you possibly can, we really recommend going.
At their best, work parties can give you a less formal environment in which to get to know your colleagues as people. They can break down barriers between senior management and more junior staff, and help to build on those strong relationships that are essential for harmonious workplaces.
Think of Christmas parties at work as part of your job
While things may be more relaxed than in the office, the work holiday party is really an extension of the workplace. So while you can let your hair down a little bit, remember that these people are still your colleagues and you will still need to sit across the conference table from them on Monday morning. Handle conversations and behaviour accordingly.
Stay Positive
We hope it goes without saying that you should not badmouth your boss, your coworkers, or the company at the office holiday party (or anywhere!). It’s also not the place to air grievances from other areas of your life or to make mean or snide comments about anybody.
Try to keep your topics of conversations light and maintain a positive attitude throughout the event.
Have a few “safe” topics ready to go
Small talk is an art that doesn’t come easily to many people. However, you can get better at it! It’s a good idea to have a few safe topics of conversation that you can fall back on if necessary.
A few ideas might include:
- The party itself (is it in a particularly interesting venue? Is the food delicious?)
- Entertainment (what they’re currently reading, listening to, or watching on Netflix).
- Hobbies and what they do for fun (this is a great area to find unexpected common ground).
- The local area (how long have they lived there, what are their favourite things to do in the area?)
- The weather (it’s a classic for a reason, especially in the winter months).
- Give a work-appropriate compliment (for example, that you love the dress they’re wearing or their Christmas jumper).
- Pets – everyone who has a pet will love talking about their furry/scaly/feathered friend.
If you know a little about the person you’re talking to, you can always draw on the things you know to start a conversation. For example, you might ask how their evening classes are going or how their new puppy is settling in.
A favourite office party small-talk question is, “are you doing anything nice for the holidays?” This gives people a way in to talk about their families, travel, any fun traditions they particularly enjoy, or just enjoying some time off work.
Don’t try to have in-depth conversations about work
If you find yourself sitting next to someone you barely know, asking them what they do in the company and other small-talk questions like how long they’ve been working there is absolutely fine. But don’t use the office party as an opportunity to solve work-related grievances, tackle a problem project, or pitch a new idea to your boss.
Avoid conversation danger zones
It’s widely accepted that the big three no-go areas of conversation at work are religion, sex, and politics. This etiquette applies at work parties just as much as in the office. Other areas you’ll want to be very cautious of include money, health, family or relationship problems, and appearance.
The golden rule is this: if it’s a topic that is likely to be very personal, very divisive, or both, avoid it.
Don’t drink too much
Alcohol often flows freely at work events, particularly if your company is footing the bill. It’s fine to enjoy a drink or two at the holiday party, but know your limits and don’t get too drunk. This is the fastest route to saying or doing something you’ll regret.
Enlist a work friend
Is there a person in your team you get along well with? If so, let them know you’re a little nervous about the holiday party and ask them to be your party buddy. This means you’ll have someone to talk to when you first arrive. If they’ve been at the company longer than you, they’ll also be able to introduce you to some more people.
Offer to help out
If you’re worried about standing around feeling awkward, find the party planner and ask if they need any help. Taking on a small task will give you something to do for a few minutes while you acclimate to the environment. As a bonus, you’ll be remembered as a kind and helpful person who is willing to pitch in.
Exercise: comfortable conversation starters
Think of five easy conversation starters you could use at a work party to chat to people you don’t know very well. These should be things you could comfortably say to anyone from your peer to the CEO. Write them down if it helps, and keep them in your metaphorical back pocket so you’re ready to dazzle people with your conversational skills.
Finally: Be yourself!
It’s easy to overthink office holiday party etiquette, but at the end of the day you just need to be yourself. No-one will mind if you are a little quiet or if there’s a moment or two of awkward silence here and there.
Follow these basic rules and if nothing else, at least your work party experience will be better than those described in this post.
