Office Party Etiquette: Remember Your Business Professionalism

Holiday time is here, and party invites are flowing.

Time for fun … and time for faux pas a plenty!

Here is my list of 9 holiday party mistakes to avoid making …

1) Not RSPVing when asked. Always respond to invitations – whether or not you can attend the event. This includes citing any guests who will be coming with you, too.

2) Making wardrobe mistakes. Always plan your wardrobe carefully, and ensure it’s appropriate attire for the event. For women, this means remembering that a party isn’t the time to show off cleavage. For men, the reminder is that no one needs to see your chest hair or 6-pack. For both genders, remember to limit how much skin you show in general.

3)Not knowing the exact location. Find out the exact location of the party before you leave, so you arrive on time. No last-minute scrambling to get directions or set up your GPS. “Fashionably late” isn’t fashionable.

4)Drinking too much alcohol. Limit your alcohol intake. Alcohol consumption is not a license for poor behavior. I don’t care if there IS an open bar, that’s not an excuse for drinking more than you should.

5)Talking business. Always keep conversations to small talk and not major business-related topics. There’s a time and place for everything.

6)Sticking with one or two people the whole time. Mix and mingle at all work and business parties. Don’t spend too much time with any one person. Parties are for socializing and meeting new people.

7)Pigging out at the buffet. Remember, it’s NOT about the food. So, when you eat at these holiday affairs, avoid overdoing it. And, watch your table manners!

8)Overstaying your welcome. You certainly don’t have to be the last person to leave. But worse yet, never put yourself in a position where you’re asked to leave.

9)Forgetting to send a thank-you note. Always send a thank-you note to the host or hosts. You will be remembered for the right reasons.

Now, the fun part is up to you!

A Thank-You Still Goes A Long Way

Ho, ho, ho!

Oh no, oh no, oh no!

More gifts I don’t like, what to do?

If this may be what you're thinking ...

I’m not your mother, but let me remind you of two things when it comes to gift getting and being gracious.

1) A “thank you” goes a long way. When you receive a gift, regardless of your inner reaction – smile, and say, “Thank you!” If you can feign a little enthusiasm, too, it shows appreciation. After all, people have different tastes and different budgets, so they are doing the best they can. A follow-up thank-you note is a nice gesture, too.

2) When the gift has been sent or given to you by someone other than the “gift giver” in person, it is essential that you send a note. OK, a phone call is better than nothing, and an e-mail is further up the food chain, but nothing beats a handwritten note. It shows consideration. It shows class. And think about it -- what, really, is the cost to you? Probably 5 minutes and the price of a stamp. So, keep a box of notepaper handy, and write a three-sentence note. It can say something like: “Dear ____. Thank you so much for ________. I will be able to use it to __________. Your (creativity, imagination, thoughtfulness) are greatly appreciated.”

Remember, people have spent time and money (OK, so maybe there’s a bit of re-gifting going on, but they still took the time to think of you!). The least you can do is show some appreciation.

And, who knows, maybe next year, you will like the gifts you get.

Watch Watercooler Chat

Everyone likes to chat about the latest developments on their favorite reality TV show – come on, who won’t cop to watching “American Idol?” “Big Brother?” “Survivor?” “The Biggest Loser,” “Celebrity Apprentice?” or other reality shows?

I, too, can’t wait to share my take on what happened the night before with various staff members.

But, when it comes to gossip, and spreading rumors, that’s a whole other story. Although tempting, it’s just not nice to share stories about those you work with – whether your bosses or colleagues. Gossip can be hurtful, dangerous and rude.

So, resist the temptation to chime in, when others start dishing their latest theories on who’s been dating who, or having an affair. Also, stay away from gossipers -- you don’t want to be associated with them.

Remember, what goes around comes around.

Karma’s a funny thing … you certainly don’t want to be the topic du jour for next week!

Business Travel Used To Be Fun.

Well, maybe it wasn’t fun, but it sure wasn’t as frustrating as it is today.

Aside from late arrivals and departures, hours on the tarmac, no food, overbooked flights, and lost luggage (carry-on rules!), the behavior of fellow travelers has deteriorated to the point of no return.

Let me tell you about a recent experience.

I was returning after speaking in Las Vegas, and enroute was struck once again about the impact of our travel behaviors. On my flight from the East Coast was a group of people who were attending the convention and sponsoring a booth. To say that they were rude on the flight is an understatement. The beer and vodka flowed. They were loud and even “hit” on one of the flight attendants. The other passengers around them were not amused by their disruptive behavior. As I observed, I was wondering if any of their customers were watching this.

The next day I did an educational session called “Successful People Are Connected People.” At one point an audience member said, “I was flying here from the East Coast yesterday and a group of attendees were so obnoxious on the flight. Before the trip I had thought of contacting them about buying some or their products, but I wouldn’t consider it now.” This was no surprise to me. I had to wonder how many people felt the same about the group on my flight, and how many other flights this same thing was happening.

If you are a fellow road warrior, you probably can relate – the goal, of course, is to put up a mirror and ask yourself, “Is she talking about me?”