How to survive the office Christmas party, Swedish-style

AFP ^ | December 5, 2003

[Charles Henrickson]

STOCKHOLM (AFP) - Don't dress provocatively, don't hit on your colleagues, and don't get tanked: 'tis the season for the office Christmas party in Sweden and companies are issuing guidelines for how to behave, clearly fearing things will get out of control.

In a country where binge drinking is practically a national pastime -- and where Scandinavian firewater aquavit is a key part of the "julbord", the lavish Christmas smorgasbord to which companies treat their staff -- employers are keen to make sure that employees can show up for work the next day.

Preferably with their pride intact.

"It's about finding a balance between being yourself and at the same time not being the one who will immediately stand out in the workplace," says Anders Allebeck, the head of human resources at Swedish bank SEB.

With the "julbord" season starting in early December, the economists' union newsletter recently published a list of do's and don'ts that appears more suited to a band of raunchy bikers than responsible number-crunchers.

"Save the plunging neckline, short skirt, bare midriff and unbuttoned shirt for more private gatherings. Remember, these are your colleagues and this is not an intimate occasion to show yourself off in all your splendour," it said.

Keeping your pre-party drinks to a minimum is also recommended, as the only thing more important than your attire is that you show up sober.

"You don't have to refrain entirely from drinking at a staff party, but you should never be visibly drunk," the newsletter quoted ethics expert Magdalena Ribbing as saying.

Another big no-no is flirting, with companies strongly advising that you not hit on the cute receptionist you've had your eye on, just because your spouse, who will not have been invited, is not around.

After all, you certainly don't want things to go the way they have in neighbouring Denmark.

There, divorce rates skyrocket in December as wives are known to hire private detectives to spy on their husbands at their Christmas parties.

"Flirting is something that sometimes occurs in the workplace. But you do begin to wonder if someone goes a little too public at an office party," says Ernst and Young human resources chief Leif Hedstroem.

If a colleague does however make a pass, Allebeck recommends that you "elegantly try to put an end to it with a good sense of humour".

And while most agree it's okay to casually discuss work issues, never hog the boss's ear. And whatever you do, don't ask for a raise.

A final word of advice is offered for the bosses themselves: enjoy yourself, but don't stick around 'till the end.

"Otherwise it can be difficult for the staff to relax and have fun," Ribbing says.

[Charles Henrickson]

Hej! to the Swedish Ping List.

[Charles Henrickson]

Three women at an office party. Swedish companies are issuing behaviour guidlines for the office Christmas party. (AFP/EFE/File/J.F. Moreno)

[NovemberCharlie]

In a country where binge drinking is practically a national pastime -- and where Scandinavian firewater aquavit is a key part of the "julbord", the lavish Christmas smorgasbord to which companies treat their staff -- employers are keen to make sure that employees can show up for work the next day.

Wouldn't it be simpler (and far more popular) to solve this problem by siply holding the party on a Friday?

[MD_Willington_1976]

I bet Magdalena Ribbing is just an Olga, that doesnt get hit on at Swedish office parties

[BrooklynGOP]

Now, to offset that photo, post the photo of the Swedish bikini team, quick! :P

[Lokibob]

Office parties held on Fridays are a drag. People want to get home and start the weekend, so they leave early.

It sounds stupid, but a Thursday night party will last till 8 or 9 while a Friday one will break up at 5 pm.

[CommandoFrank]

Hey, wait a minute...

That's how I met my wife twenty one years ago...

[dighton]

What's a party without music?

;-)

[Charles Henrickson]

Tack! Very funny! Here's a direct link:

I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas

[SkyPilot]

Yeah, well I can tell now why you need "beer glasses" at a party like this one.

[Charles Henrickson]

Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder.

[SkyPilot]

As requested.

Speaking of Swedish---I still laugh at that scene in the movie Splash where John Candy and Tom Hanks are posing as Swedish scientists trying to rescue Daryl Hannah. An Army guard (who says he is 1/2 Swedish) questions them in Swedish, and they look panic driven, until Candy replies (in Swedish with English subtitles):

"Hey babe, I've got a 12 inch pen_s."

[Clint Williams]

I'm sorry, but 5 minutes in tropical sun and that team will be... um... toast.

[absalom01]

Well, you need the glasses to hold the beer, fer sher. But I think it's the beer goggles that would help in this case. But if everyone at the party is as hammered as these three look, it would seem that both the glasses and goggles are in plentiful supply.

[Jaysun]

[SkyPilot]

But I think it's the beer goggles that would help in this case.

Yes--or beer binoculars.

[Erasmus]

I'm sorry, but 5 minutes in tropical sun and that team will be... um... toast.

I estimate their skin to be about ASA 64.

[bc2]

thanks for the ping!

I had the pleasure of spending Christmas in the city of Visby, on Gotland. I spent the week between Christmas and New Years in Visby, and it seems like there, drinking is not only the national pastime, it's a paid occupation with bonuses provided!

The kids there told me that moonshine is a tradition on their island, as they are not just Swedes, but "Gotlanders!" A bunch of crazed vikings hehehe... IMHO their homebrew white lightnings are some of the best!

I spent the week following New Years in Stockholm and it wasn't such a crazy pace of drunkenness. Although I will admit to being quite intoxicated on several occasions.

Ah, Christmas in Sweden :-)