Going to an office Christmas party can be great fun. It can also be like walking through a mine field. Make a major mistake in your behavior and it'll probably be remembered and talked about for years. It can also come into play at your next performance review. Chances are it won't be mentioned but it can still linger there, an unspoken dagger in your professional heart. So what shouldn't you do at the party?

First on the list is don't get drunk. Alcohol can relax you and help you enjoy the evening, but get too "relaxed" and you'll be saying and doing things that can harm your reputation and lessen the amount of trust your superiors are likely to place in you. If you can't depend on yourself to limit the amount of alcohol you drink, don't drink any at all. Do that and you'll find yourself enjoying one of the best parts of an office Christmas party: watching other people drink too much and make fools of themselves. It's much better to wake up the next morning with a sense of sober superiority than a hangover.

Second on the list is think twice about what you choose to wear to the party. This is especially true for women because they have so many options. For men it's tie or no tie, slacks or jeans, dress shoes or sneakers. A guy can make a fashion mistake but it's not likely to be fatal. A woman on the other hand can select a wardrobe that makes a real statement about herself. So when you're standing in front of a mirror trying to decide what to wear, think about the image you want to project in the office and select something that fits that image. You want to be noticed but you want people thinking you're stylish and appropriate. You don't want Joe in accounting thinking "Wow! What a babe!". That's great for another party but not this one. So limit the amount of skin that you show. If it's something you'd wear to your parents' wedding anniversary party you're probably safe. Unless your parents are rock stars.

Dancing is often a staple at office Christmas parties. If that's the case and you're going to the party alone, spread yourself around. Dance with a lot of people. Think of it as a chance to have a one-on-one conversation with people you don't ordinarily spend a lot of time with. It doesn't have to be a deep conversation, just three minutes of casual chit-chat, assuming the music isn't so loud you can't be heard. Another thing to consider is the way you dance. These days the dance floor can be R-rated, but at office parties it's best to dance the way you'd dance with your brother or sister.

Another thing to avoid is office talk. A party is not the time to discuss the Jenkins contract or the problems you're having with a co-worker. After all, no one is there to make decisions and that co-worker might be right behind you listening to every word you say.

Some people think the office Christmas party is the perfect time to cozy up to the boss. It's not. You want to speak to the boss, spend a few minutes with him or her and thank them for the party. But don't try to kiss his ass or make her your best buddy. They'll know you're trying to manipulate them and your effort will probably backfire.

Food will be a big part of the party. If you don't like the spread, keep it to yourself. Don't complain about the menu or how much is being spent on the party. Nothing good will come of complaining.

Bottom line, behave at the party the way you'd be expected to behave if it was a client party. Keep it dignified, light, and friendly. The rules of good office behavior don't change because someone opens a bottle of champagne. If anything, they get even more important. Break them and people will remember. For a very long time.

Learn more about this author, Stanley Teater.
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