Survive (and thrive) at office happy hours
Getting the chance to see your coworkers outside the office can be a lot of fun, as long as you maintain a level of professionalism. More often than not, seeing your office mates outside of work comes in the form of happy hour following a long day at the office. Happy hours are an excellent way to get to know your colleagues on a personal level, but there are a few things you should keep in mind. Remember: It’s not worth it to ruin a professional reputation for one night at the bar.
Here are four things to remember as you try to get the most out of your office’s next happy hour:
1. Attend the event
The first step in finding some success at a happy hour is to make it there. Don’t be afraid to attend social events with individuals you work with. The last thing you want is to gain an anti-social reputation around the office. Happy hour is an excellent chance for you to develop friendly, meaningful relationships with your coworkers. Be a team player and go out with the rest of your colleagues.
2. Behave
Being outside the office, even at an establishment that serves liquor, doesn’t give you an excuse to relive your college days at the fraternity house. Do not drink to excess! Casually sip on something, but don’t start pounding shots like it’s going out of style. A helpful trick to pacing yourself for an evening of drinking is to drink a glass of water between alcoholic beverages. Not only will you slow the rate of alcohol consumption, you’ll also be hydrated by the end of happy hour.
3. Eat something
Just because you’re attending a happy hour doesn’t mean that alcohol is the only item on the menu. Look into what kinds of appetizers and finger foods are available wherever you are. Sharing food is another fun way to interact with coworkers. Plus, eating something can also help deter you from drinking too much.
4. Make a cut-off time and stick to it
It’s fairly common for office hours to be held on a weeknight. This means you’re most likely going to have to wake up for work the following day. Prior to attending the happy hour, decide on a time you’re going to head out. When that time comes, politely excuse yourself after saying goodbyes and call it a night. There’s nothing wrong with leaving early – you just don’t want to be the last employee slouched over the bar at the end of the night.
