Christmas is approaching and with it the company dinners. You’ve worked very hard all year and tonight can be a fun night.

A good dinner, a few laughs and on top of that you don’t pay. What more do you want? Company dinners can be a kind of catharsis after a year locked up in the office , where you can spend a night out with the people you share the most hours a day. More than with your partner…

How to behave at the company dinner

Business dinners are common in the month of December, just before Christmas. Although some companies, especially those with temporary staff (e.g. in the tourism sector), may organise them when the season is over and carry out a large reduction in staff until the following season. But regardless of the date, company dinners are not a party night with friends, but with your colleagues and superiors .

Therefore, do not forget that the boss (or bosses and superiors) will be present at the business dinner and, therefore, it is important to take care of your reputation, your image and not to diminish your stay in the company. It goes without saying that at these events it is necessary to dress appropriately, according to the situation and the place and it is necessary to arrive on time. But, also, if you do not want to make a bad impression far from the work environment, pay attention to the advice that I give below, which will surely be useful to you in order not to leave the company dinner in a bad way:

1. Don’t sit near the boss

If you don’t want to be in the eye of the hurricane for the whole evening, the best thing to do is not to sit near the boss . Unless you have a great relationship and want to sit together, avoid that area of the table.

You will surely want to enjoy the night, so ideally you should sit somewhere else, with your companions, where you can be you and enjoy their company. So it’s important that you arrive on time and don’t end up sitting right next to your superior because the other seats are taken.

2. Don’t be critical

Remember that company night is a night to put aside all work-related issues. The best thing is to enjoy this pleasant moment and have fun with your colleagues .

But the most important thing, and this should not be forgotten, is to avoid these situations to criticize your colleagues or bosses. Watch your words, don’t make the mistake of being a big mouth.

3. Don’t be the boss’s ball

If the advice of point one is not to sit near the boss, at this point, I remind you that it is important that you don’t go to the other end either and be “the ball” .

Regardless of whether your superior is bothered or not, your colleagues will surely notice your attitude and this will not benefit you at all, because you can make enemies within the company.

4. Don’t flirt with a partner in front of everyone

We can all be attracted to that companion we like so much, and sometimes that feeling can be mutual. What you do in your intimacy is your own business.

However, if you let everyone know that there is more than just a working relationship between you, soon the whole office will know. It’s fine if you’re both serious, but if it’s a “drag”, the best thing is discretion . It goes without saying that if either of you have a partner, this can end badly.

5. Watch out for the glasses (especially if you are working the next day)

People already take for granted that tonight is a night to laugh and enjoy wine and a few glasses . In our culture, for many people, party nights are not understood without the consumption of alcohol. This habit is not exactly good but it is a socially accepted reality, and no one will look down on you if you have a drink.

Now, if you go too far with the drink you’ll look bad in front of your co-workers and your boss, and you can become the laughing stock of the next few weeks at the office.

6. Don’t talk with your mouth full

This is a different night than a day at work, but that does not mean we should lose our manners and let ourselves be carried away by bad manners. Therefore, be polite and don’t talk with your mouth full .

7. Avoid sitting next to someone you don’t get along with in the company

As mentioned, if possible, the ideal is to sit far away from the boss. however, another place that can make you uncomfortable at the table is sitting next to someone with whom you don’t have a good relationship in the company . If you don’t want to have an unpleasant time, find another place where you are more comfortable.

8. Beware of social networks

New technologies and social networks are also present in these celebrations. So, if you want to preserve your privacy, avoid selfies or photos that could compromise you . I’m sure you’ll appreciate it the next day.

9. Behave at the table and at the party

At the table and at the party you must keep your composure and show yourself respectful and polite . It’s easy to lose your temper or your manners with an extra drink. So, if you don’t want your boss to have a bad image of you, behave like an adult.

10. Be careful what you say

Alcohol can also disinhibit us and the informal situation we may find ourselves in at the company dinner can relax us. We must be careful with our words, not only with regard to criticism . For example, when you tell a colleague that you like him or her or when you talk about compromising issues.

11. Don’t even think about taking your partner

Company dinners are usually for employees. If the other guests are going alone and if you haven’t been told that you are allowed to attend with a partner, don’t be an exception. Furthermore, you may end up isolated and talking about your personal life in a place that is not suitable .