The most annoying aspects of office Christmas parties
From boring conversations to underwhelming secret Santa presents, these are the worst parts of the festive celebrations with colleagues
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The biggest Christmas party irritations have been revealed in a new study.
The survey, conducted by LateRooms, showed 40% of the 2,000 people polled said their boss making them pay for their own drinks was the most annoying part of their annual festive gathering.
It also revealed 75% of people dread the annual office party, with the average adult saying they spend 2.5 hours of the event “bored senseless”.
It is estimated most Britons will attend four big parties over the festive period with the most popular dates for office parties being “Mad Friday”, which falls on the final Friday before Christmas each year.
Other party irritations include intense, drunken conversations about work - as raised by 22% of people - and the themed element of some gatherings cited by 20%.
A total of 7% of people said their biggest irritation was getting stuck talking to boring people in IT and accounts.
The full list can be found below:
- A pay bar – tight-fisted bosses cutting costs (41%)
- Rubbish food from a dated set-menu (26%)
- Intense, drunken conversations about work (22%)
- Year-end motivational speeches from bosses (21%)
- Ridiculous themes such as fancy dress (20%)
- Getting home (17%)
- Facebook/Twitter/Instagram – people posting pictures without your consent on social media (16%)
- Secret Santa (inappropriate or unwanted presents) (15%)
- ‘Witty’ end of year award ceremonies (honouring the company’s top blagger / funniest / waste of space) (14%)
- Unwanted sexual attention – amorous colleagues and bosses (13%)
- Sexy ‘party games’ (balloon dance/spin the bottle, etc.) (12%)
- Joining up with lots of other Christmas parties who no one knows in a big Marquee (11%)
- The work hangover (unable to face colleagues next day/week following) (10%)
- People bringing their partners (9%)
- Getting stuck talking to boring people in IT/accounts (7%)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments