How Do You Mix Business With Booze?
Happy hour can be a bonding experience for coworkers, but don't let the fun atmosphere fool you. Drinking with coworkers can mean more than just tossing back a couple cocktails. Sometimes the after-hours functions you attend can be an important part of moving up the corporate ladder. While you probably know that you shouldn't dance on the bar or do body shots off of Lisa from Accounting, there are other happy hour etiquette rules your should always follow.
One of the most important things to remember when boozing with your office-mates is to remember the consequences. The next morning, you have to wake up and be professional with your coworkers, there's no avoiding them. The things you say or do with coworkers during happy hour can be used against you in your professional life. Even if your boss is drinking too much, do not follow suit. Remember your job and reputation before loosening your tie and slamming down tequila shots.
Think of happy hour as a less formal networking opportunity. It can be valuable face-time with your boss, other colleagues or clients and can help create more of a ''team'' vibe by being outside of the office with coworkers. Usually people will let their guard down in social settings, so take the time to get to know your coworkers.
Practice ''active listening'' by taking an interest in other people. Focus on the person you are talking to and don't get distracted by surveying the room to see who else is around. Give your undivided attention and ask questions to help the other person open up.
Even if you don't drink, it is important to attend functions with colleagues outside of the office. Order a club soda with a lime instead of a cocktail. While socializing with coworkers, carry a drink around even if you aren't drinking it.
Know your limit! Instead of guzzling down drink after drink, pace yourself. Order a drink you don't normally get so that you drink it slower. Decide how much you are going to drink in a certain time frame before going out and stick to your limit. No one wants to be known as the office lush.
Do not use happy hour as a chance for a drunken hook up with the new guy in sales that you've had your eye on. In some work places, office relationships are frowned upon. Even if a work relationship is acceptable, a drunken hook up will make for an awkward morning at the office and may make it difficult for you to do your job.
While office happy hour can be a great time to network and bond with coworkers, it can also be the quickest way to destroy your career. Remember these happy hour rules and you'll be just fine!
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