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Office holiday party where you find out what your coworkers are REALLY like

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So much for holiday cheer: three in five people have gotten so embarrassed at a company holiday party that they didn’t want to go to work the next day.

That’s the takeaway from a new survey of 2,000 Americans over the age of 21, all of whom typically attend large gatherings during the holiday season.

Sixty-two percent admitted that they’ve “dreaded” the day after an office party, while another 56% have even worried about getting fired themselves. 

And another 64% admitted that they couldn't look at some of their coworkers the same way once the celebration ended.

via GIPHY

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Ritual Zero Proof, the poll also found that one coworker always takes it too far at holiday office parties, according to 67% of respondents.

Three in four even said that the holiday party is where they “truly find out what their coworkers are like.”

This also proved to be one of the top reasons people attend office parties, with 46% seeking to discover the hidden sides of their coworkers.

At the same time, 62% confessed that they’ll drink more than usual if there’s an open bar — despite the fact that 69% believe too much booze is served at these events. 

But the problem isn’t confined to the business world — 58% also admitted that their family drinks “too much” at similar gatherings, and 63% said someone always ends up getting out of line.  

Forty-seven percent said politics is their least favorite dinner table discussion topic, followed by more intimate ones like family gossip (42%) and personal drama (41%) — with Mom (31%) and Dad (30%) leading the charge in bringing up uncomfortable subjects.

via GIPHY

According to 43% of people surveyed, leaving early is one of the most common behaviors exhibited at family parties, followed by yelling (39%) and drinking too much (38%).

“The lowered inhibitions that can come with ‘liquid courage’ aren’t always a good thing, not just for our egos but for our well-being,” said Marcus Sakey, founding partner of Ritual Zero Proof. “That’s why many Americans are becoming more sober-curious — they want to experience the benefits that drinking in moderation can yield, like increased energy, better sleep, and most importantly, a clearer head.”

When asked about the most embarrassing thing someone has done at a family holiday get-together, one respondent took the term “lit” a bit too literally and “fell in a fire pit.”

via GIPHY

Another popular, embarrassing misconduct was vomiting, whether it be “on another person,” “on the table” or even “on the host.”

And workplaces aren’t exempt, either. According to one respondent, “[A] coworker got drunk and fell into the Christmas tree and knocked it over, then threw up in the boss's driveway.”

​​“We’re all more health-conscious these days, but moderation doesn’t need to mean sacrifice, especially during the holidays,” added Sakey. “Swapping in a nonalcoholic beverage is all about balance, so you and your social circle can celebrate without the hangover, embarrassment or regret.”

 TOP ALCOHOLIC DRINKS THAT CAN RUIN A HOLIDAY PARTY

  • Beer - 43%
  • Whiskey - 43%
  • Wine - 40%
  • Tequila - 37%
  • Mixed cocktails or punch - 35%

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