iStylista’s Essential guide to surviving the office Christmas party

After the third pint of Malibu and pineapple the room is on fast spin, your make-up is on the slide and suddenly Kevin from accounts is beginning to look fanciable. You may be in the festive spirit with your colleagues drinking and acting like there’s no tomorrow but you can be sure that your boss will be looking on as sober as the day they interview you.

Of course we want to let our hair down at the office Xmas party but what we don’t want in the morning is rumors and regrets.

Spirits run high and emotions can be as mixed as your drinks as a combination of awkwardness which comes with combining the social with the professional creates a confusing atmosphere. Should you be friendly and familiar or frosty and in control? It’s no wonder people don’t know how to behave.

So here are a few simple tips on how to survive the office party, have fun and come out it with your sanity and prospects intact.

• Decide before you go to have no more than two alcoholic drinks. Three drinks means a loss of control so don’t risk it. Keep topping up with water and there’s no need to tell others what you are doing. They’ll only force your hand.

• Don’t wear revealing, trashy or provocative clothes. You need to maintain your professional reputation and you could be remembered for your sequined basque rather than your ace presentation skills for evermore.

• Don’t get drawn into gossip. If the conversation turns that way either say nothing, change the subject or move places.

• Don’t say, do or act in any way that you would not do in your workplace. The Polaroids the next day could mean the difference between promotion or passed over.

• Remember people paste pics onto Facebook now. Enough said.

• If someone is getting overly amorous remove yourself and make for the toilets. Don’t allow the bad behavior of others make you the subject for gossip the next day.

• Don’t assume colleagues or your manager are friends. Never share personal details or grievances about the job and colleagues in this seemingly relaxed environment. It could be later used against you.

• Do keep your ear to the ground for information about staff morale and office politics.

• Remember you don’t have to stay til the bitter end. Set yourself a time limit and slip away when you feel like it.

• Even if you do have someone romantically in your sights don’t let on. Some companies operate a no-fraternisation policy so beware.

• Use the opportunity to network, introduce yourself to people from other departments and learn insider knowledge. This could give you a competitive edge.

• Decide how you are going to get home upfront and have the number of a good cab company and get knowledge of the tubes/buses etc before hand so you are not left alone and stranded.

• With a little aforethought and restraint you can get through the work “do” with your dignity and reputation intact. Save the table top dancing and sequined hot pants for another night out with friends!

Have a very merry Christmas x

To book a free half hour telephone coaching session with Carole Ann visit her website at www.realcoachingco.com.