It's the end of the year and everyone is jubilant. The company has had an amazing year with record profits and you have hauled yourself up the ladder to be the man they are all talking about. What are you going to do next? I know, lets go the the Christmas party and get inebriated to a point where I think I'm going blind and tell my colleagues what I really think of them! Sounds like a fun night out doesn't it?

This is just one way for your Christmas party to have a crippling effect on your career. Here is a quick survival guide of things to avoid doing at the company Christmas party.

1. Avoid using the terms 'I've never liked you,' 'I've always fancied you,' or 'why won't you promote me?' Each of these will no doubt end in tears. If you feel like one of these is about to come out of your mouth simply say polite, 'I'm going to get my coat.'

2.Stay away from the tittle-tattle corner. You don't want to be implicated in starting any kind of rumour or gossip. Resist the urges to mock your colleagues dance moves or the ridiculous clothes that they are wearing or speculate about who fancies who. Nothing positive can come from any of these behaviours.

3.Do not tell the boss what a mess you think they are doing in running the company. This can only end one way but on a positive note at least you'll have a day off on Monday morning and Tuesday and Wednesday and so on.

4.Do your best to resist the inevitable peer pressure of endulging in Tequila shots. Once you are drunk there is no knowing what might come out of your mouth. If you are really intent on drinking, please ensure to line your stomach.

5.Don't let beer goggles take over your mind. You may have had a few but that is still Doris from reception sitting in the corner. You can get away with making such a mistake on a night out with the lads but at an office party you are only going to see this person every day afterwards. If you suddenly do decide you fancy someone, wait until you sober up and see if they still look like Angelina Jolie.

6.The Christmas party is not the time to show off your hairy chest or ample cleavage

7.Finally, do not phone in sick at work the day after. Everybody will be facing the side effects of a night and you are no different. As long as you left Doris alone there shouldn't be any problems.

All in all, have a good time but just in moderation. Stay in control of yourself and maintain awareness. Do not use the Christmas party as an arena to totally end any hope of a career in your company.

Learn more about this author, Marc Steel.
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