Yes, company politics is the only politics.

I'll see myself out the door in a second. . . but I want to go by the open bar one more time.

 

I know, the date on the memo was 2009, so that was a clue.... but it still makes me smile.

 

We had our second work party yesterday. Free lunch in the cafeteria with silly reindeer games and an ugly sweater contest. Wednesday is the day I usually go out for lunch with a couple of friends. We opted to stick with tradition and left the building.

 

Our sister company has sweatshirts made and passes them out the day before Christmas. The boss handed me one today in case I didn't make a stop next door tomorrow for the luncheon. I told him I'd stop by...it's a quick luncheon in the shop. Grab a plate of food, stand around a bit, wish a few folks (most of whom I do know) Merry Christmas, then out the door. I can do that!

 

We have one for our group'. It's about 140 people spread out among a few sites. I enjoy going for the afternoon - it's usually at the local golf course/catering hall. We all get 2 drink tickets to use, then it's a cash bar afterwards. Non-drinkers like are more than willing to pass ours along. There's usually people I don't see often so I enjoy the social aspect. The VP brings in an 'event' each year. We've had Murder Mystery, Casino Night, and this year was a game show company. The food is good. This year was also the 'everyone' retirement part for our VP. I'm now in a different group, so we'll see what next year brings.

The smaller bunch of people on my old team also do a pot-luck with a white elephant. We have it onsite at a building just for events. That's a little more fun, has about 25-30 people attend. Then we just go home when it's done.

In year's past, our entire division would have 2 events a year - a summer party, often at either Six Flags or the Trenton Thunder, then a Holiday party at Dave and Busters. Cost cutting I'm sure drove those cutbacks.

 

Sounds like your company knows how to have a good time, Gary.

 

I did stop at the business next door (our "sister" company) yesterday to wish folks a Merry Christmas. The "party" is in the shop, which is cold, people were smoking...there was even a cigar smoker or two. I didn't stay too long and next year I may not even hang around to eat. Can't deal with the smoke....People are not supposed to smoke in business establishments, but at times, management looks the other way.

 

At the company i was associated with in the 90's had the traditional mid-December Xmas until our party got cancelled by a blizzard.
It was held at the New England Aquarium in Boston. The next available date wasn't until mid January.
Turns out that everyone loved the Mid January party. it was a nie break after the hectic holidays.
From then on, it was always a January party. The fact that it was cheaper to hod then wasn't bad either.