I hate parties

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I was invited to the corporate staff Christmas party tonight. I went with my wife, the dinner was fine, but the rest of the evening was a disaster.

At age 40, I have no idea what to do at parties. I don't dance, little lone to country music or rap, I don't like socializing. Despite several drinks which usually loosen me up a bit, people were actually noticing that I was uncomfortable, and this bothered them. I would have left earlier, but for the silent auction with $5,000 worth of prizes up for grabs and we had tickets. When the draw finally came at 11 PM, we didn't win anything.

In a real sense, I think I may have actually damaged my working relations with other members of the staff by actually attending at all and being uncomfortable. Its a 'Catch 22' situation; you're anti-social if you don't attend, but if you attend and don't enjoy it, it dampens the mood of other people having fun!

Anyone else out there feel this way? I need sympathy tonight!

I think company Christmas parties are things to avoid. Co-workers drinking and loosening up especially around the boss.

I've never been to one but at a previous job someone who did go drank a few to many and threw a christmas teddy bear at the boss' head and he was fired.

I do hate parties, it really is a catch 22. I suppose the best thing you can do is tell people that you're not really a party person and you enjoy outdoor activities more, invite some of your co-workers along for a walk or a mountain bike ride, that can be a better way to build up relationships with your co-workers.

Explain that you did it to fit in and your family actually only observes Festivus.

I can relate. I despise company Christmas parties and have missed the husband's for several years now.

You could claim that you weren't feeling well. It's a perfectly believeable excuse as lots of bugs are going around right now.

Yup - it's basically a time for people to get pissed, embarrass themselves and have sex in the toilets with someone they have secretly fancied all year.

If this doesn't sound like your bag, avoid.

Why do neurotypicals like going to parties?- I quite frankly, don't see the logic in them!

...and why do they throw parties for absurd reasons, like house parties etc. where they just end up wasting their money on food and alcohol for complete strangers to enjoy?!

I felt like that when I was asked to come on a Christmas meal with the people from the charity shop where I volunteer. I didn't go because I knew I would be just sitting there shy in the corner.

I would find going for a meal easier than going to a party.

The going up to colleagues and making conversation bit is the most difficult bit, especially if you feel you don't fit into any of the social groupings that form (and don't know which of your coworkers are "interacting").

Thank you so much for this thread. I am invited to Christmas party that company I used to work for is organizing next week. I am currently not working as I was a replacement for someone who was ill and came back. However, because I performed well, there is a chance I might be called back when opportunity pops up.
Now, this party could be good for PR but I suck at that. I hate parties, I always end up in corner. Too many people crowded there, multiple conversations, loud noises, laughter and so on. It's too much and I can't stand it. I know it would be good thing to show up but I don't believe I could benefit for being in a corner thinking what should I do o appear normal. It would only stir gossips that had already circulated about me being weird.

i don't understand it either but i do enjoy feasting!

IF i ever get married(very doubtful) but if i do i know what i want for my bachelor party, i get all my male friends abd family together for a Viking themed dinner with all of us sitting around a big oak table eating Frenched Legs of Lamb, and drinking mugs of ale, mead, or raw milk

we will have immense quantities of beef and pork as well i just want to be able to lift my Frenched Leg of Lamb in the air by the shank and yell while drinking mugs of ale lol its not a proper feast without that hahaha

btw im a meat coinesseur i can grade the quality of cuts of meat you have never even heard of, i used to compete in meat judging