Watch CBS News

Keller @ Large: Tips For The Office Holiday Party

BOSTON (CBS) -- I'm looking forward to attending the WBZ Radio holiday party tonight, for several reasons. Due to our busy schedules I rarely get the chance to socialize with my co-workers and managers, and along with getting to know them better and have a few laughs, it's also a chance to say thank you for all the great work they do and for putting up with me.

But as you may already know, the office holiday party can offer some pitfalls as well. Let me share a few common sense tips for enjoying the affair gleaned from many years of observing the human comedy that sometimes plays itself out.

For starters, be careful with the eggnog, if you know what I mean. I have seen careers and marriages endangered by the practice of having one too many and letting the eggnog do the thinking. Plus, you've got to drive home afterward, and driving under the influence is like throwing a hand grenade into a crowded room - just don't do it.

Secondly, don't confuse the office party with an encounter group therapy session. While the holiday party is a fine place to relax a little and chat with your co-workers about more than just business, it is NOT the appropriate time for soul-baring, score-settling, or primal truth-telling. Trust me, you don't want to be spending New Year's week scouring the want ads.

And then there are the less serious but potentially troublesome pitfalls. Are you really as good at karaoke as you think? Is your version of The Penguin a dance-floor revelation or a dance floor disaster? You've worked hard to win the respect of your colleagues, don't throw that away quite so readily.

But hey, I don't want to be a buzzkill. Let's party tonight, fellow BZers! And please - intercede if you see me reaching for the karaoke microphone.

Listen to Jon Keller's commentary here:

Podcast

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. and 12:25 p.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.