Work "Holiday" Party

[ryanvc76]

Okay, here it is and I'm curious what others think about it.  

I received an email this morning about the company "holiday" party, which is taking place during normal work hours.  I thought to myself, "okay, I'll just work instead."  Shortly afterwords, I receive another email, this time from my supervisor, explaining that we will all close our offices for half of the day to attend the "xmas party".

I replied to my supervisor with the following:  "I would prefer to remain open on the day of the holiday party in order to better serve my customers.  I have no problem allowing my employees to attend the party if they so choose."

My supervisor replies shortly thereafter with the following:  "All offices will be closing to attend the party, no exceptions.  We all have better places to be, but until someone higher up says otherwise, you will be there."

Also, I should mention that the party isn't free.  The meal costs 12 Euro ($18) per person for a buffet.  

So, do I be an allout ass and upset all of my bible-thumping supervisors or do I just keep my mouth shut and go?  If I do go, casual clothing, or atheist t-shirt with tattoes exposed???  

If they start the party of with a prayer - new ball game and I'll be up at bat!  I am a civilian employee of the US Army, which, the last time I checked, was a government agency.

I would love to hear everyones thoughts and suggestions on this.

[SteveS]

Wow.  My thought is that holding a mandatory Xmas party, which costs you money to attend, should not just be considered wrong but also illegal if this is being put together by the US army.  Doesn't this fly directly in the face of the non-establishment clause?

My company throws a holiday party, but we do it on the weekend in the evening and attendance is completely optional.  Also, the company pays the entire bill.  We do this as a party for the employees - not to burden them with another obligation!

Those are my thoughts - suggestions are harder  :?  .  I guess if its going to get you into an uncomfortable situation to skip out, then I'd suggest going.

[MommaSquid]

Sounds like it's mandatory that you have fun!  

That's an order, son!

Cheap out and get the buffet so that you can excuse yourself early if the need arises.  (Faking a stomach ache is fairly easy.)

Definitely let those tats see the light of day.  (I hate having to cover mine for work.)  You might want to reconsider the atheist t-shirt...one oddity at a time.  

[ryanvc76]

The more I calm down and think about it, it looks like I'll end up going.  I'm still not feeling the $18 for lunch though - I'm trying to lose weight, so eating my money's worth isn't an option.  

I suppose I'll refrain from the shirt too...  It's just too bad more people don't know the meaning of my tats.  I might have to get my new ones done before then too...   I will be getting the words "godless" and "infidel" on my arms, on the insides, between my inner elbow and wrist tattoes.  These are the only ones of my nine that will be visible in a t-shirt:

[SteveS]

The first one looks like the invisible pink unicorn.  But I don't know what the second means?

[ryanvc76]

The first one is the IPU - and it is actually round, I just had my arm stretched wierd in the photo, giving it a strange shape.  

The second is an idea that was being tossed around to represent freethinkers.  It is similar to a pansy, which is commonly known as the symbol of freethought.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freethought#Symbol

The version I chose is explained best here:

http://intepid.com/2005-05-25/00.39/

[McQ]

Don't know the rules in Germany, so maybe not much help. If it's a mandatory christmas party, then you may have some rights of refusal. If it's just an office party at the christmas holiday time, it's different, as far as I see.

I'd take any chance I get to loaf and not work. I'd take all the holidays off if they let me, no matter what reason!

[rlrose328]

What the heck... just go and enjoy yourself.  You don't have to observe a holiday to go to a party.  Will there be booze?  If so, have a drink and relax.  If not, have a drink before you go and relax.  :-)

As for the tats... LOVE THEM!  I want to get my atheist logo (by name, just the gear and A) tattooed on my arm or ankle... probably ankle... easier to hide from the mom, who would FREAK and at her age, that's not good.  LOL!

Ooops... forgot I changed to Weird Al.  Here is the logo:  http://www.cafepress.com/nostupid/721361

Full color with the globe would be ideal... I wonder if I can get it done by Kat at LA Ink... Hmmm...

[ryanvc76]

I like that one! I think I just found another tat idea... hmmm, where will it go?....

[Bella]

If I liked my coworkers and felt like going, I'd go. If not, then there are probably all sorts of excuses you could come up with. Personally, I think Xmas is a waste of time, a waste of money, and the whole concept is just a lie. But, a party is a party. People don't celebrate it for God, they just feel social pressure to send out a bunch of cards and presents.

[jcm]

Okay, here it is and I'm curious what others think about it.  

I received an email this morning about the company "holiday" party, which is taking place during normal work hours.  I thought to myself, "okay, I'll just work instead."  Shortly afterwords, I receive another email, this time from my supervisor, explaining that we will all close our offices for half of the day to attend the "xmas party".

I replied to my supervisor with the following:  "I would prefer to remain open on the day of the holiday party in order to better serve my customers.  I have no problem allowing my employees to attend the party if they so choose."

My supervisor replies shortly thereafter with the following:  "All offices will be closing to attend the party, no exceptions.  We all have better places to be, but until someone higher up says otherwise, you will be there."

Also, I should mention that the party isn't free.  The meal costs 12 Euro ($18) per person for a buffet.  

So, do I be an allout ass and upset all of my bible-thumping supervisors or do I just keep my mouth shut and go?  If I do go, casual clothing, or atheist t-shirt with tattoes exposed???  

If they start the party of with a prayer - new ball game and I'll be up at bat!  I am a civilian employee of the US Army, which, the last time I checked, was a government agency.

I would love to hear everyones thoughts and suggestions on this.

Holy crap you have to pay? That is total crap! I’d go get some fast food.

If you do decide to go…compromise and wear an atheist t-shirt as an undershirt.

[Tom62]

Any company that I know of in Europe pays the christmas meal for their employees. Sometimes they ask for a small contribution (for the alcoholic beverages), but that's just it. Having to pay for your buffet meal yourself is outragious (and bad people management). Best christmas meal that I've ever had (fully paid by the company ofcourse) was held in a michelin star restaurant in Amsterdam. No nonsense about Jebus etc. just great fun, great food and lots and lots of alcohol.

[Whitney]

I don't think you should be required to attend and especially not required to pay for participating in any off hours office party.

My office is shutting down at noon the day before thanksgiving so we can have an office thanksgiving lunch...yet, it's not manditory to attend or bring something.  Personally, i like most of the people I work with so I enjoy hanging out with them.

[rlrose328]

If I liked my coworkers and felt like going, I'd go. If not, then there are probably all sorts of excuses you could come up with. Personally, I think Xmas is a waste of time, a waste of money, and the whole concept is just a lie. But, a party is a party. People don't celebrate it for God, they just feel social pressure to send out a bunch of cards and presents.

I LOVE celebrating the holiday season!  I call it Christmas just because I always have and I'm unwilling to give up Christmas cookies, gifts, singing, candy canes, the tree, and everything that goes with it.

And I do holiday cards every year... I make them myself using all of my scrapbooking stuff.  I look for the perfect design and get them all done myself.  I don't get near as many cards as I send out but it's still one of the most fun things I do every year.

As for the Christmas party... I don't care what they call it, if it's a social event, I'll go and have fun.  I don't get that many social events as a stay at home mom, wife to an asocial hermit.  

[ryanvc76]

The more I think about it, it seems to be the $18 for lunch that is upsetting me - I highly doubt they'll be serving steak and lobster!  The part that further upsets me is that I have to close my office to go.  The military postal system already has a bad enough reputation for being slow due to us being understaffed.  How does it look when we close during normal business hours to have a party?  If this were outside of office hours and not mandatory, I'd be all for it!