How to survive the office Christmas party, Swedish-style

0 Comments | AFP, December, 2003

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...