Most embarrassing Christmas party mishaps

09/12/2008

A GMTV survey of their own office Christmas party mishaps has revealed the most frequent embarrassing incidents.

Top of the list was getting intimate with a colleague (16.4%), closely followed by dancing in an embarrassing way (14.3%) and then falling over on the dance floor (9.6%).

Follow our top tips for minimal humiliation at the office Christmas party.

1) Most important of all, remember the booze is not your friend! It's the fuel that fires you up to tell your boss what you really think of them, and gives you the "courage" to make a pass at the colleague you secretly fancy. Still want to drink to excess? You have been warned!

2) Save the comedy for another occasion. It's very easy to cross the line of offensiveness when you tell a joke - even if it's intended innocently. The office Christmas party may seem like an "away from work" occasion but you can bet you won't be in line for that promotion if you upset the boss's wife with a sexist joke.

3) In fact, watching what you say is key to avoiding Christmas party humiliation. Christmas parties are actually rather good networking opportunities - a chance to meet with senior people in your firm within a social context. So eat, drink and be merry - in moderation - and hopefully you'll escape the ritual embarrassment that so many people suffer at such events!