Office festivities: to kiss or not to kiss under the mistletoe? Mistletoe, together with rosemary, boxwood bush, Christmas holly, and the prominent Christmas tree, is displayed throughout the Christmas period and is probably (and ironically) the world's most famous parasitic plant. The tradition is based around the ancient Celtic and Scandinavian rituals of a "kiss under the mistletoe". This ritual allowed young men the privilege of kissing girls under the mistletoe, each time pulling out a berry from the bush after the kiss; the privilege ceased when all the berries had been plucked. "Good idea, ancient Celtics!" our male readers may well be thinking. However, let us explore the habits, rules, and accepted behaviors that have changed over time, particularly with regard to the mistletoe kiss. As most have witnessed, in different cultures, the traditional festive season (incorporating Thanksgiving, Christmas, Western New Year, and Chinese New Year) tends to loosen-up otherwise perfectly behaved, well-respected members of almost any society. Read on, about these quaintly primitive cultural festivals, about what is commonly accepted behavior, and what is not in so-called modern times… While Thanksgiving is a type of harvest festival, Christmas marks and honors the birth of Jesus of Nazareth 2008-or-so years ago and has a religious historical background. Both Western and Chinese New Year celebrate the end of one year and the arrival of a new one, and have a cultural (rather than religious) origin. These festive season celebrations are celebrated in many offices, as a source of joy, harmony, or reflection, providing an opportunity to spend quality time with your peers who you share your daily routine with. On the other hand, inappropriate behavior, the wrong word said in the wrong situation, and a lack of sensibility for the culture from which the festival originates can end up in resentment lasting much longer than the actual event itself. Following are a few points for your consideration before your next celebratory party. Respect cultural attitudes While certain festivals may have religious or spiritual overtones, this is not the time to voice your opinion or try to convince others to change theirs. The festive season has meaning for different people in different ways. For some, it is a time for self-reflection and private family gatherings, for others, it is a time to party, eat, drink and be merry. By respecting different cultural attitudes, this adds to the enjoyment, and potential personal growth, of the season. Saying "Happy Holidays" to other people, is considered a kind, polite and non-religious expression. It is an OFFICE party When it comes to office parties, remember that these are business functions and the host is your employer. Senior managers consciously or unconsciously pay attention to how people handle themselves at corporate events - they might not know your name, but they will remember your face and your behavior. Both national and company culture plays a role in the acceptable level of alcohol consumption, so be aware of what is considered appropriate in particular contexts. Enjoy yourself, and avoid going to extremes in any area – what is acceptable in a corporate environment is different in a private environment – so act in a way that you feel is appropriate in your normal office situation. It is important to remain professional whilst having a good time; this includes refraining from saying or doing anything that may be considered sexist, racist, or sexually suggestive. This leads us to the mistletoe – to kiss or not to kiss? As said, refrain from any activity that may be interpreted as sexually suggestive. This means a big, soap-opera style passionate kiss is a definite no-no, regardless of gender, position, relationship or level of inebriation. If you find yourself standing under the mistletoe, with a colleague of the opposite sex, a quick peck on the cheek is acceptable in most circumstances, and if you do not feel comfortable doing this, or office policy does not allow for physical interaction between opposite sexes, a smile and saying "Season's Greetings" will suffice in the workplace. The benefits of office parties go further than only free food and drinks. Here, you can talk to other people from other departments who you may not regularly chat with, and you have an excellent opportunity to show your manager and even the company owner your professionalism, appropriate grooming / attire and communication skills. Damaged reputations and hurt relationships can become a career hurdle, and in the case of sexism or inappropriate behavior, this may end in serious, perhaps even litigious, consequences. Often-seen excessive drinking at office parties may jeopardize one's attempt to behave in the best way possible. Admittedly, alcohol seemingly helps quickly narrow the gap between peers, business partners, or superiors and subordinates. If you need this kind of stimuli to make contact easily, you might ask yourself whether there are other – more secure – ways to achieve the same objectives. As a bottom line, make sure that you always stay in control of the situation. Being seen behaving in the best way possible can be a step towards future success. And finally, remember to thank the host(s) for organizing the party. Overall, for many, the festive season is about giving thanks, sharing, enjoyment and having a good time with friends, family and colleagues. May your festive season be filled with a fun and entertaining atmosphere, some excellent food and wine, and a bright and successful start to the New Year! Go to overview ->