Etiquette Tips | Manners & Communication
Follow Etiquette Tips on TwitterSubscribe to Etiquette Tips FacebookSubscribe to Etiquette Tips RSS

  • Home
  • What is Etiquette
  • Top 15 Etiquette Books
  • Gift Giving
  • What is Smart Casual Dress Code
  • Advertise
  • About
You are here : Etiquette Tips | Manners & Communication » Business Etiquette » 7 Questions About Corporate Party Etiquette

7 Questions About Corporate Party Etiquette

Published On May 10th 2012. Under Business Etiquette  Tags: office life  

If you look up ‘office party etiquette’ you will notice that the protocol advisors unanimously recommend to remember that the corporate events are more about business than about party.

Yet somehow, extensive drinking and lewd behaviour are common at the team building events. I should confess, there were several office party moments that still make me blush.

Table Dancing via Listentoleon.net

To get the best out of the next event and avoid the morning-after shame consider the following:

1. What’s the purpose of a corporate party?

Business parties are social affairs that give you a chance to communicate with your co-workers in a more casual setting.

In addition to rewarding employees and letting them have some fun, such gatherings are meant to boost company morale and encourage a sense of teamwork. Managers should take advantage of these events and try improving relationships with their team.

2. Can I skip the annual office party?

Etiquette experts advise against it. A professional speaker and corporate trainer Lydia Ramsey offers to see corporate events as part of your job and put your best attitude.

Keep in mind that your absence will probably be noticed and can hurt your career. Of course you are not required to stay all evening, but try to be there at least for an hour and a half.

Use this time to talk with senior executives of your firm and don’t forget to tell the coworkers and team members how much you appreciate their help and support.

If you arrive early after the event is scheduled to start you have much better chances to thank the company CEO for hosting this party. It can also be a great opportunity to chat with the boss, just avoid monopolising him.

3. Who should I take with me?

No one, unless the invitation mentions you and a guest. Corporate parties are often made for employees only. Always confirm in advance whether it is all right to bring dates. If guests are welcome don’t bring an inappropriate person as your “plus one”.

You can take your children only when the invitation reads “the family”.

Baby in the office - via Mad Men

4. What do I wear?

Your attire should depend on the event schedule. If the party happens on the weekend or later in the evening you can opt for something more relaxed. But however tempting it might be to put on your night club attire, super high heels or favorite ripped jeans, stick to clothes that are more sophisticated and less revealing.

Whatever you choose to wear keep in mind that your look should reflect well on you professionally. You can also check directly with the host what is the event’s dress code or see our recommendations about smart casual attire.

5. Do I bring gifts?

It’s unusual to bring gifts to corporate parties.

Presents are only appropriate when you are asked to bring something to exchange with your coworkers or in case of more formal dinners. Then you can consider bringing the host gift baskets with gourmet food or chocolates, or a bottle of good wine (but make sure he drinks alcohol).

If you decide to bring flowers make sure they are prearranged in a vase so your host wouldn’t need to bother about where to put them.

6. What should I talk about?

Keep your conversations positive. Avoid complaining, bragging, gossiping or ridiculing others. Stay away from offbeat jokes or controversial topics (like politics or religion).

Because business parties is a great possibility to get to know your colleagues better on a personal level, try to limit your business talk. Good conversation topics are kids, local sports, movies or travel.

Network and mingle. It’s an opportunity to chat with people from other departments, employees from different locations and top management. These functions are designed to initiate new business relationships and strengthen existing ones.

Show interest in others. Allow people to talk. Think ahead about good open-ended questions, use “tell me more” form and you won’t have troubles with conversations.

7. What’s with eating and drinking?

Here is a great advice from Dr. Randall S. Hansen, the founder of Quintessential Careers:
“Do keep one hand free during the night so that you can offer handshakes to people as they come by. And do keep your drink in your left hand, so you are not offering people a cold, wet handshake all evening.”

In general, moderation is the key. You are not there for the meal, so avoid piling your plate with dainties and try to limit alcoholic cocktails to 2 per evening.

It’s better to have a plan B just in case you have had a little too much to drink. Book a cab or arrange for a designated driver.

Tequila Shots

Earlier today I spoke with Julia about different company cultures. She believes that it’s important to detect the signals that executives send to their employees. ‘Who drinks more tequila shots’ game can be a traditional part of the entertainment program for one company and outrageous for the other.

Julia is right, customs vary office to office. Some firms are more reserved, others are low-pressure, especially during the business parties. The trick is to pay attention, understand your environment and integrate while staying true to yourself.

Let us know if you have any questions about corporate party etiquette. Leave a comment below!

Logging In...

Profile cancel

Sign in with Twitter Sign in with Facebook
or

Not published

« Mothers Day Gift Idea: Flowers
Mothers Day Gift Idea: Cherry Quartz Necklace »

    Get the latest Etiquette Tips updates delivered to you for free via Email!

  • Related Articles
    Elevator Ride

    9 Tips on Elevator Etiquette

    June 14th 2012  

    In case you get to use elevators daily, check out these 9 practical tips from ...

    business cards exchange etiquette tips

    5 Business Card Etiquette Tips

    May 9th 2012  

    Business cards are usually the size of 89 × 51 mm (3.5 × 2 in) ...

    the windsor knot

    How to Tie the Windsor Knot

    May 7th 2012  

    "A well tied tie is the first serious step in life." Oscar Wilde Until recently I had ...

    Hugo Boss Professional Attire

    What to Wear to a Job Interview for Men

    May 2nd 2012  

    If you want to impress your future employer instantly, we suggest to start with wearing ...

    power of handshake

    How to Perfect Your Business Handshake

    May 1st 2012  

    “I can feel the twinkle of his eye in his handshake.”  Helen Keller Did you know ...

  • Categories
    • Business Etiquette (12)
    • Dress Code (29)
    • Digital Etiquette (3)
    • Table & Dining Etiquette (3)
    • Wedding Etiquette (8)
    • International Etiquette (2)
    • Good Manners Daily (5)
    • Events and Celebrations (28)
    • Christmas (10)
    • Etiquette Discoveries (5)
    • Travel Etiquette (1)
    • Gift Giving (14)
  • Popular Tags
    birthday bridesmaids business etiquette business formal attire business meeting casual for men christmas Christmas gift ideas christmas outfits clubbing cocktail communication cubicle etiquette dress code events eye contact facebook family manners father's day first impression gift giving gifts for mother graduation day graduation gifts im instant messaging mobile etiquette mothers day night out office life personal style prom small talk smart casual smart casual ladies table manners Thanksgiving Theatre Etiquette travel vacation Valentine’s Day ideas wedding what to wear white tie xmas party dress code
  • Archives
    • February 2013 (1)
    • January 2013 (1)
    • November 2012 (3)
    • October 2012 (1)
    • June 2012 (7)
    • May 2012 (17)
  • Sites We Like




  • Follow this blog
SohoBox WordPress Theme By MagPress.com
Cheap Philadelphia Phillies Tickets | iPage | Trucks
Copyright © 2018. All Rights Reserved.
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Accept Find out more here