It’s here and we’re all supposed to be happy about it, I’m not talking about Oprah, though her arrival did get me a little excited as she came in with her bestie Gayle in a super-jet only a handful of people own around the world. Hundreds of screaming Americans yelling at her as she glides from one venue to the next. Really, it’s remarkable she can function let alone be one of the most influential people in the free world.
No, I am talking about Christmas. Like Oprah’s visit we have had some time to get used to the idea. Didn’t the decorations go up just after Halloween this year?
With Christmas parties banking up one after the other, we all get to experience a part of Aussie culture that hopefully Oprah doesn’t get to see while she is here … boozey nights out on the boss!
It’s the one time of the year where staff get to let their hair down and go wild — well that’s what many think.
Chugging back litres of anything on offer. Tim hooks up with Rachael from accounts, Fran from the front desk spew’s early so they put her in a cab. You’ve know the stories.
The boss can go one of two ways, either stays and gets blotto and runs around with his or her pants down or sticks around for 30 minutes before discreetly disappearing to let the employees play uninhbited.
Then out comes the entertainment — usually some poor junior who can’t hold their liquor; has a secret thing for the guy at the desk next to him; and a penchant for Priscilla or Dreamgirls … or something similar.
Photos are snapped, reputations ruined, and stories from the night embellished. Onwards until the wee small hours of the morning.
So as you get ready for your annual Christmas party a word of warning. Eat before you go; pace yourself; think twice before getting up on stage; and throw a glass of water or soft drink down after every second beverage.
Trust me, you’ll thank me by the times NYE comes around!
