 |
Funny, but one could say the same thing about the so-called news media... |
Posted on 12/18/2002 5:03:57 AM PST by Jimmyclyde
Co-Workers Get Cozy at Holiday Parties
Wednesday, December 18, 2002
By Catherine Donaldson-Evans
NEW YORK — At this year's company holiday party, you probably won't see Mommy kissing Santa under the mistletoe — unless Mommy and Santa are the names of two of your co-workers.
A recent Match.com poll of singles found that the majority thinks there should be mistletoe at company holiday parties, while 17 percent say it's OK to kiss a co-worker and 8 percent advocate going gaga and mashing multiple colleagues.
"Where are they working? Because I want to work there," joked single woman Kristen Bloom, 32, of Baltimore.
Match.com's "vice president of romance," Trish McDermott, was taken aback at the answers to the online dating service's survey.
"I was a little surprised by the results," she said. "Many of us understand the implications of both office romance and improper behavior. Yet at the holiday party, some of that concern seems to go out the window."
For many people who plug away in corporate America, the year-end party is their one chance to let their hair down with co-workers.
"People tend to dress differently, the lights are lower, there is food and alcohol and music … all these reminders that you're not actually in the office," McDermott said. "We may find our co-workers more compelling and attractive in that situation."
The biggest numbers came in answer to the question of whether it's OK to flirt with a co-worker at the party: 57 percent of the 1,300 surveyed said yes.
"Mild flirtation is OK," said one 31-year-old, Washington, D.C., woman, who asked not to be identified and didn't participate in the survey. "But flirting with married people is crossing the line."
Of course, the term "flirting" means different things to different people. Friendliness might be perceived as flirtation, even if it's not intended that way.
"A great deal of flirting has nothing to do with romance or sex; it has to do with charming people into enjoying working with you and having a good, friendly relationship," McDermott said.
Still, it's unclear what the singles who responded to the survey had in mind, since what Match.com meant by "flirting" wasn't explained.
"It depends on your definition — I flirt with everybody all the time," said Bloom, when asked how she felt about flirting with co-workers. She suggests striking a balance.
"Have fun and be yourself, but certain lines shouldn't be crossed over unless you're looking for trouble," she said. "You have to maintain a professional reputation."
And that's exactly what business etiquette experts say, warning employees who are tempted to get amorous with an officemate to look before they leap.
"People have to be very mindful at a holiday party that how they conduct themselves is going to stay with them," said Pamela Holland, co-author of Help! Was That a Career Limiting Move? "Just because it's now off-hours and there are festivities, don't let your guard down to believe it's not business-related."
In other words, it's difficult to shake the image of a co-worker fooling around with someone at the holiday party the next time that person is, say, doing a presentation. Holland advises against antics that could compromise credibility — including dressing in an overly provocative way.
"They won't take you as seriously. It will end up haunting you," Holland said. "Anything that is going to overshadow your judgment and have people remembering it more than your competence on the job is not a good thing."
Free-flowing booze at parties is often the primary culprit when employees get too wild.
"People drink too much, say things," said the D.C. woman, who is single. "Office parties are situations fraught with pitfalls."
Some firms avoid the potential minefield by holding alcohol-free luncheons or at-office gatherings.
Liquor or not, holiday parties aren't the time to test new waters in office etiquette.
"Just be mindful of your company's culture," Holland suggested. "Know yourself and know the people you're dealing with."
Savvy advice, considering that 23 percent of men and 14 percent of women have "morning-after" regrets, according to the Match.com survey.
McDermott said there's probably a simple explanation for the survey's results: desire for holiday romance.
"This is the time of year when there's a lot of pressure to be in a relationship," McDermott said. "Singles say Christmas is the most stressful time of year. That may explain some underlying, basic human need that plays out at the company party."
Advertise on FOXNews.com Jobs at FOX News Channel. Internships at FOX News Channel. Terms of use. Privacy Statement. For FOXNews.com comments write to foxnewsonline@foxnews.com; For FOX News Channel comments write to comments@foxnews.com © Associated Press. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2002 Standard & Poor's This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Copyright FOX News Network, LLC 2002. All rights reserved. All market data delayed 20 minutes.
Tis the season to get HAMMERED!!!!
No comment.
"I wasn't flirting with that cutie from marketing, dear. I was merely charming her into enjoying working wth me and having a good, friendly relationship."
Company Christmas party is tonight!
Will be taking my spouse along as I always do...
I'm not crazy about the idea of alcohol at office Christmas parties either. Just too many ways to trip over your **** and tell the boss what you REALLY think.
Note to self, don't do 15 shots of Jagermester.
|
Funny, but one could say the same thing about the so-called news media... |
Don't dunk your donut in the company coffee.
I’ve never understood that. We had one female that was built like a young Anna Nicole. She’d wear the lowest cut blouses and tightest, shortest skirts you have ever seen. I’m telling you that she could literally not sit in a chair unless she had a jacket to put over her lap/legs. I bet if you had a pin you could pop her skirt like a balloon. Any time she’d walk across the room she had to constantly fiddle with it to keep it pulled down.
Another had a black pantsuit-type outfit that was made out of some sort of sheer see-thru material. I’m not talking about something you could see through if you happened to catch her back-lit standing in front of a window or something – I’m talking about material like those gauzy see-thru curtains are made of.
I have to question the mental health of someone that wears stuff like that to work. It’s fine for eye-candy though. And in their defense, they were probably only 19 or 20 years old so I guess it’s good that they get it out of their system while they’re still young enough to wear it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.