Should I go to my company holiday party?

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I bet this is a common problem for us.

My company has TWO holiday parties. One for our overall big department that's at night and I guess fancy. One that's just our division within the department that's held during the day.

What I've always done is go to the smaller one. I basically at least know the people there, and can often talk about computer things (basically the only thing I can talk about, that's also safe to talk about). One year it was weird as our department boss warned us not to talk about work, but I was talking about work with another person, and he left the table. I didn't know what else to do though

The "big" party is the one with drinks, and you bring another person with you, and that type of thing. I don't have anyone to bring, I don't drink, and I don't have the foggiest clue what to do. I'd just be standing/sitting there awkwardly, without anyone to talk to. The biggest problem with the little party is figuring out where to even sit, as I feel like other people wouldn't want me there, and I don't like having to impose myself.

I just got another reminder to RSVP. Even doing THAT makes me uncomfortable, and I don't most years. Guess I will though, as I can just say "I'm unable to attend" or something.

Hi Norah,

If you like your job, if you plan on working there for many more years, and especially if you want to climb the corporate ladder, then I am afraid that you have to go to your company's holiday party. I did not attend most of the social gatherings/ events at my last job, and it did have a negative impact on my career. In my defence, I hated that job, and I was just biding my time until I could save up enough money to move.

Assuming you do go, try to arrive late and leave early. You mentioned that there were drinks before the dinner. Try to find out what time dinner is supposed to start, and arrive about 10 minutes before that. Unfortunately, it sounds like leaving early will be more difficult to accomplish.

Listen to these pieces for some other tips which will hopefully be helpful:
- Small Talk Secrets for the Holiday Season
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=5040682
- Interview: 'Art of Small Talk'
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=4958660
- Holiday Office Party Tips
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=5036843
- The Office Party: You MUST Attend
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=6551972

Finally, some humour for you to read or listen to:
- The Unger Report: Office Party Survival Guide
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=4225347

Good luck!

Pffff, I haven't been to a party hosted by my employer for a few years now and I'm actually so unnoticed at parties, except by my friends/colleagues who hassle me about it, it doesn't have one bit of impact on my career (which is nearly non-existent anyway).
An example: at the end of a holiday with friends (not anything to do with work), there was a bbq, which I didn't attend, I got a question from the organizer of the holiday asking me if I'd left my camera at that party.
I go to meetings, or other activities, by the under-35 age group of company, if the type of activity or meeting looks interesting. I've just turned 34, so won't be able to participate in them a lot longer. I stay the hell away if the activity by the group is followed by another event open for all employees, because everyone will expect me to stay for that event too and that might have a bad reflection on me, with the other people in that group.