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I was terrorized and trapped into agreeing to go to the Company Christmas/Holiday party...

I suspect I will be sorry and it may ruin my career-run, but I agreed to attend the office party. I'm not going to lie, I do feel like it's a small achievement, but now that I am committed the fear and panic is starting to erupt. I'm just not that good in party environments and it now seems with people I know and work with it actually will be worse than if I didn't know anyone at all.

Surprisingly, I am not that good at spontaneous conversation that has no productive outcome or use. It's possible I come across as shy and socially awkward (a bit). And, while I can put on a good act for a short burst of time, all night is going to be literally impossible, not to mention energy depleting. And, I don't know there will be a way to make an easy, early exit. Parties should be banned for work environments.

But, there is no practical way out of it now.
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Punches · 46-50, F
I doubt anyone will bother you.
This is how it is likely to play out - you show up, everyone stares for about five seconds (like people normally do), then they go back to being boring.

A couple people say "hi", then no one bothers you.

Maybe it will be a free meal. Hopefully something good though. You know some companies cheap out and cater in some complete BS that tastes grosser than leftover school lunch.
I mean like the kind of food that a starving Ethiopian would not touch.

But then they hand out gifts, and it is once again junk that NO ONE wants. Like coffee cups or a thin jacket with the company logo.

They wanted to give us jackets one year at my last job, of course with the company logo. They asked my size and I flat out told them NOT to get me one cause I didn't want it. Well I mean JFC it would have just been more garbage to donate to a thrift store.
MarkPaul · 26-30, M
@Punches Wow. Yeah, it was a sleeveless jacket and the joke was the company couldn't afford sleeves this year, so that will be the gift next year.
Punches · 46-50, F
@MarkPaul Meanwhile the company brags about record profits.