Poll time...Is this ridiculous? Or am I just an a-hole? (Workplace related)

[CubSmurf]

Got this email today from the building director:

"This year’s annual Christmas Dinner is going to be at (local mexican restaurant) December 6th from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. It is open menu, you order what you want…. no you have to pick what we give you lists here!!! It is of course, pay your own way (we’re broke too!) <grin>"


This is now the 2nd or 3rd 'Christmas party' where NOTHING is provided. Look I understand we're broke, but isn't the idea of an office Christmas party to give something back to your employees? I do not expect caviar and champagne, but saying we're going to have a party but you have to pay for everything yourself is POINTLESS. I do NOT consider this a Christmas party. Why even bother??

Thoughts?

[MEC5LADY]

People at my work do potluck for occasions. :willy:

[OddBall]

So don't go ya old grinch.

[Bill]

Order water and eat the free chips and salsa. Tip accordingly. Problem solved.

Seriously, that's kinda wrong. We always try to give some kind of bonuses, even when times are bad. Your best bet is to just skip this function, unless you think office politics demand that you be there, in which case, deduct the cost of the meal as a work related expense from your income tax.

Any way to put the cost of the meal on your company expense report for reimbursement? Hell, if you have a company credit card, just charge it on that.

[NeedSpeed]

Seems a pot luck is in order.

[CubSmurf]

So don't go ya old grinch.

I haven't gone, because I think it's silly to INVITE people to a party where they have to pay.

For the record, not upset about it. I just think it's silly. It's the same as saying "Hey Oddball we're having people over for a BBQ this weekend. You should come by. Oh, bring your own steaks."

Who does that?

[kingpin]

How many people is the party for?
Is it hundreds or 10-20?

[CubSmurf]

How many people is the party for?
Is it hundreds or 10-20?

Maybe 30

[lspencer534]

OP, FWIW it could be worse. I have a client that no longer does this, but for many years it hosted a conference where all its attorneys in the U.S. had to attend. It was usually a 3-day conference, but it was always held far away and at the most expensive hotel available. One year it was at the Four Seasons on Naui. Another year it was at the Ritz in Naples, FL. And we had to pay for our own transportation, room, meals, and drinks. Sure, it was tax deductible, but that was little comfort.

[OddBall]

I see and understand your point. But some folks just want to get together for the cheer and goodwill and don't mind buying their own meal. I think MEC5LADY's outfit has the right idea if the funds are tight. Isn't celebrating the blessings that you do have, even in the face of hard times part of what the holiday season is about?

But yeah, your building director could have worded it differently.

[kingpin]

Maybe 30

If I was the owner of the company with that little people I'd have a potluck like everyone mentioned or I'd cook for everyone at my house or BBQ at work.

[OddBall]

doing the math on 30 people...
lets say your company bought everyone a $30 dinner, which in these parts is a decent dinner, at any local mezzican joint anyway.
That's $900. Let's go ahead and round it on up to a $1000

Now $1000 over a year is around $2.74 a day for each of the 365 days,
and 3.83 a day for just working days.

I would think someone could have kept a change jar going for that.

[CubSmurf]

doing the math on 30 people...
lets say your company bought everyone a $30 dinner, which in these parts is a decent dinner, at any local mezzican joint anyway.
That's $900. Let's go ahead and round it on up to a $1000

Now $1000 over a year is around $2.74 a day for each of the 365 days,
and 3.83 a day for just working days.

I would think someone could have kept a change jar going for that.

$30 is fine dining here :rofl:

I'd cut that number in half. At the restaurant they're having it, $15/per person would still be a decent meal...

Honestly, you could probably order fajitas for 30 for less than $200 and say the rest is on you...

I would certainly understand that type of arrangement.:seasix:

[Stangkiller]

Can it be ridiculous and you still be an A-hole? :leaving:

But that's pretty sad, the owner should own up to either canceling it all together, or foot the bill.

[OddBall]

Maybe should should pitch the idea for next year

[LisaJohn]

Op, Do you work in a public school system? We chip in $5 and have a Christmas party at the principal's house. We can't purchase food with school funds and we don't because I am the school bookkeeper.

[Jeff '79]

I don't hang with people from work anyway.
Even if it was paid for, I probably wouldn't go.
20 years ago, they gave away TV's and trips, and gift certificates.... I did go then, but now??? Forget it.

[Blademaker]

I always went with the *potluck*.
My brownies were always the most popular..........:leaving:

[Jeff '79]

I always went with the *potluck*.
My brownies were always the most popular..........:leaving:

My mushroom salad was always a "hit" too....:D

[MikeB]

I do not expect caviar and champagne, but saying we're going to have a party but you have to pay for everything yourself is POINTLESS. I do NOT consider this a Christmas party. Why even bother??

Thoughts?

No, it's not pointless.
Just don't go.











Scrooge.

[LisaJohn]

Guess I need some new up to date recipes!:D
My teachers always ask me to make lemon layer dessert or Granny's red cake when we have a get together.

[kingpin]

When I had the club I would take everyone out every other Friday night.
There would be 50-80 of us at 3am at a Chinese restaurant.
They would close down for me and the menu was set with a whole lot of everything including 200-300 oysters as appetizers every meal.

It was an easy $2500 twice a month. Keep the troops happy and they keep you happy.

[CubSmurf]

Op, Do you work in a public school system? We chip in $5 and have a Christmas party at the principal's house. We can't purchase food with school funds and we don't because I am the school bookkeeper.

I do work for a public school district. We do pitch in money every month, but it generally pays for the (bad) coffee and retirement items.

The building director has nothing but good intentions, he's a good guy. Just seems hollow is all. I'd much rather do a potluck. This is just dinner with coworkers...

[...Whitepower...]

Dont go and start looking for another job asap.

[island14]

1: PM Gozar for Chili recipe.

2: Eat lots of it so you are full, and won't have to pay for food at the restaurant.

3: Video peoples faces at the party when you dust crop the room to post at VBOT

[Millenium Vette]

1: PM Gozar for Chili recipe.

2: Eat lots of it so you are full, and won't have to pay for food at the restaurant.

3: Video peoples faces at the party when you dust crop the room to post at VBOT

Brilliant idea! Lemme help out with that:

Abbreviated version...

2 Habenero Peppers (use 1 for less heat)
3 Red Chili Peppers (use 2 for less heat)
3 Cerrano Peppers
1 Jalapeno Pepper
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Green Bell Pepper
2 cans tomatoe paste
1 large can of tomatoe sauce
2 cans stewed tomatoes w/peppers

1 fresh clove of garlic (actually, the whole damn thing...with all its 20 cloves inside. A food processor works best for this)
2 white onions
1 bag of black beans
1 bag of kidney beans
1 bag pinto beans
(make sure they are small bags)
1 lb of THE BEST ground beef (use 2lbs for a meatier chili but you will most likely need an extra crock pot.)
1 - 2lb pork roast - (optional but adds good flavor as it slow cooks in the chili)
2tbl spoons cayenne pepper
2tbl spoons chili powder

Soak the beans for 8 hours then rinse.
Brown the ground beef with a little of your diced onion and a little of your diced garlic.
Dice all the chili peppers together. Wear a freakin mask!
Dice all the bell peppers.



Mix the tomatoe products, meat, peppers together in a large mixing bowl since it will most likely not fit into one crock pot. Once completely mixed pour into one or two crock pots. I

NOTE: You may have too many beans depending on the crock pot. Discard the rest. Do NOT over-bean your chili. I make 2-3 crock pots worth of chili using full bags and 2lbs ground beef.


Add two cans of water.
Add salt and pepper as desired.

Crock for 6 - 8 hours. Stir every 1.5 hours.


Send your family members my condolences....

Corvette Forum - View Single Post - The voices came to me last night.... [PIC] (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1562895102-post39.html)

Like the kids say, it is the shit.

:rofl:

[island14]

No problem next year..... :D

He won't be invited! :rofl:

[Sea Six]

Brilliant idea! Lemme help out with that:



Corvette Forum - View Single Post - The voices came to me last night.... [PIC] (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1562895102-post39.html)

Like the kids say, it is the shit.

:rofl:

Thanks!

[VatorMan]

Working for the .gov-I've NEVER had a paid Christmas party. I may talk to Obama about this injustice. :leaving:

[Midnight85]

I spent 35 years with an employer who wouldn't so much as buy us a pine float. The women on each shift took it on themselves to raise money throughout the year to be used as our own Christmas party. They put on one hell of a potluck and everyone received a gift and the gifts were always something of value. This meant more to us guys than anything the employer could have done. And as far as Christmas bonus?? All we got was a Christmas bone, if you get my drift.

[ConstantChange]

I don't hang with people from work anyway.
Even if it was paid for, I probably wouldn't go.

:iagree:

[CubSmurf]

:iagree:

That's part of my point. Nobody hangs out with each other, so why would anyone go especially when you have to pay...

[onedef92]

Pot luck at the office.

[VITE1]

Welcome to the new normal. Before I got laid off in July of last year that company went from having very nice Christmas parries to none the last three years. All 401k contributions went from 50% plus good profit sharing to 0, zip, Nada.

Be happy you have a job. If the people are nice and you get along with them go. If it's just a job to you don't.

[Millenium Vette]

No problem next year..... :D

He won't be invited! :rofl:

:rofl:

Thanks!

No problem, but thank Gozar. He is the evil genius who invented this demented brilliant witches brew. So potent it can stop a yard mowing in a nano-second. Make a young family member puke on the spot.

:D

[Fasglas]

That's part of my point. Nobody hangs out with each other, so why would anyone go especially when you have to pay...

Seems you've answered your own question.

[Bucwheat]

The Bank I work for has 300 employees and they provide a very nice Christmas party each year complete with fine dining and a band for dancing. It kills me to hear employees bad mouthing the food or music choices when so many companies don't even give xmas gifts or bonuses much less provide a party. Maybe you could all take up collections during the year and have your own party.

[Doug28450]

The OP is just looking for free stuff.

[ft laud mike]

People at my work do potluck for occasions. :willy:
:iagree:
I see and understand your point. But some folks just want to get together for the cheer and goodwill and don't mind buying their own meal. I think MEC5LADY's outfit has the right idea if the funds are tight. Isn't celebrating the blessings that you do have, even in the face of hard times part of what the holiday season is about?

But yeah, your building director could have worded it differently.
:cert:
1: PM Gozar for Chili recipe.

2: Eat lots of it so you are full, and won't have to pay for food at the restaurant.

3: Video peoples faces at the party when you dust crop the room to post at VBOT

:rofl:
Since my job is 24/7, there is no way we could have a "shift party", so throughout the year, the supervisors throw in some cash, someone does the cooking and during the shift staff can come down & grab a plate / drink

[MmaNDY]

It's the same as saying "Hey Oddball we're having people over for a BBQ this weekend. You should come by. Oh, bring your own steaks."

Who does that?

Um, your BROTHER does that & we skip that invite as well. :rofl:

[CBonsall]

last place i worked at paid for a dinner, we had to buy our drinks.

[onedef92]

My mushroom salad was always a "hit" too....:D

Spiking the punch bowl with Everclear or the egg nog with brandy, bourbon or rum never hurts, either. :leaving:

[kingpin]

Abbreviated version...

2 Habenero Peppers (use 1 for less heat)
3 Red Chili Peppers (use 2 for less heat)
3 Cerrano Peppers
1 Jalapeno Pepper
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Green Bell Pepper
2 cans tomatoe paste
1 large can of tomatoe sauce
2 cans stewed tomatoes w/peppers

1 fresh clove of garlic (actually, the whole damn thing...with all its 20 cloves inside. A food processor works best for this)
2 white onions
1 bag of black beans
1 bag of kidney beans
1 bag pinto beans
(make sure they are small bags)
1 lb of THE BEST ground beef (use 2lbs for a meatier chili but you will most likely need an extra crock pot.)
1 - 2lb pork roast - (optional but adds good flavor as it slow cooks in the chili)
2tbl spoons cayenne pepper
2tbl spoons chili powder

Soak the beans for 8 hours then rinse.
Brown the ground beef with a little of your diced onion and a little of your diced garlic.
Dice all the chili peppers together. Wear a freakin mask!
Dice all the bell peppers.



Mix the tomatoe products, meat, peppers together in a large mixing bowl since it will most likely not fit into one crock pot. Once completely mixed pour into one or two crock pots. I

NOTE: You may have too many beans depending on the crock pot. Discard the rest. Do NOT over-bean your chili. I make 2-3 crock pots worth of chili using full bags and 2lbs ground beef.


Add two cans of water.
Add salt and pepper as desired.

Crock for 6 - 8 hours. Stir every 1.5 hours.


Send your family members my condolences....

Just reading that gave me the shits!