posted by Evi on Jan 3
Those of you who work or have worked in offices have probably attended a holiday office party at one time or another. Nowadays, many of these parties have become rather tame affairs; some even include spouses.
During my many years of working in offices, everyone (or almost everyone) always looked forward to the annual office party – the big mouthwatering spread and all the booze you could consume in four hours.
When I worked for the GAB in New York City many moons ago, our party was usually held in a reserved hotel room. Christmas lights twinkled on the tree and food and bottles sat upon a white cloth-covered table set up along a wall. Us young gals – of which there weren’t too many – would get all glammed up, drink and flirt like hell. Since spouses weren’t invited to these affairs, we all had a blast; no one looking over anyone’s shoulders with reproving glares. Since this was before the days of sexual harrassment awareness, there was also a lot of ass-grabbing going on.
I can recall one party for which I bought a black, sleeveless, lace-covered mini dress – very chic at the time. I accessorized it with long silver-balled earrings and strappy, silver high-heeled shoes. I’ll never understand what possessed me to wear a strapless bra under this dress because there was literally not much to hold it up with. I think I spent more time in the bathroom pulling the bra up from around my waist than I did at the party. Eventually, I gave up, pulled it off and stuck it in my purse. I really don’t think anybody noticed the difference.
I remember other parties when working at other companies. Some were held at restaurants, others in the office building. Alcohol always abounded with plenty of food to sop it up. Some of these affairs were dress-up occasions while others were sit-at-your-desk-and-eat deals.
At one company I worked for in Farmingdale on Long Island, the party was held on the second floor. We’d break work a few hours early and head upstairs where we’d eat, drink and most of us were wasted by the time the party ended. Luckily no one got killed or killed anyone on their way home.
Another great party was held at the Huntington Yacht Club. I remember our employers passing out some really nice gifts like fancy perfumes and things.
In later years, the parties became less memorable as employers became more alcohol and lawsuit aware. In some ways this was good and in other ways, not so good. Parties would consist of salads, sandwiches, cookies and soda and everyone who wanted to join the party had to chip in a couple of bucks. We’d gather in little groups around people’s desks and balance food on our laps, eating and waiting until it was politically correct to bolt out the door and meet our work buddies at the local drinking establishment.
Yeah, those were the days. Now that I’m older and my car is my office, I miss the camaraderie of my office years. I miss all my old working friends and the fun times we had. I still keep in touch with some of the people I’ve worked with through the years, and have sometimes managed to get together with them. I wouldn’t give up those years for anything!
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