Ask Dethroner: What Do I Do at an Office Casino Party?
3 Comments Published by Joel September 7th, 2007 in Ask Dethroner, Jobs. Share ThisAlert! Reader Malcolm O. has a problem and needs us to help:
My workplace has decided to have a night out on Saturday. Usually, it’s a rowdy 150 people or so in a bar (or bars) on the night after payday. This time however, they’ve decided to go upmarket, and take advantage of the hospitality of a local business intimidated by a new arrival. A Casino.Now, I know full well I am going (It’s a rare opportunity to socialise with my fellow co-workers without them almost passing out from alcohol poisoning), but sadly my knowledge is a combination of playing a bit online and watching reruns of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Add to that the fact that this is the UK and therefore is more stuffy than Las Vegas, and the fact that I have no idea what the hell I’m doing in most work-related social situations, this means I need help.
What the hell do you do in a UK Casino, without (a) looking like a fat and badly dressed James Bond-alike, nor (b) ruining anyone else’s gambling with casino faux pas aplenty…
This is going to be a tough 48 hours…
First of all, don’t fret. Casino’s are never as classy as they may seem, even if they are in merry ol’ England.
Dress sharp, but don’t overdress. Bond is a casino, despite your worry, is about right. A jacket and an open shirt, perhaps, but ditch the tie. (And I figured you weren’t even considering the tux.)
Work related social situations are all about letting your co-workers get drunk before you do. Head in, order a scotch and soda—heavy on the soda—and begin your slow sip. Walk around, giving everyone a couple of hours to get loosened up while you retain your wits. Hell, you could even show up a couple hours late. You’ll look cooler and will still have a spring in your step while they’re drooling all over each other telling stories about the sale that got away.
If you don’t know how to gamble, don’t. Most casinos don’t mind you standing at the table along with someone else, allowing you to enjoy the drama without risking any money of your own. All the better to be the guy with a few pounds in his pocket when some poor upset co-worker loses all her cash and could really just use a drink.
Jacket sounds about right. I actually wear a Jacket and pants in AC myself (it’s amazing how if your dont dress like a ass, you get treated like your a high roller even when the most you gamble is 200 out of pocket)
And I would agree, DONT GET DRUNK. Make that drink last a hour or more. The less you drink the funner the night becomes as your co-workers get shitfaced.
It becomes a great opportunity to see what they REALLY think about things.
As for gambling, very often you can find tables that will lead you through things without denting your pocket. Im personally not a table player (you get little to no comps from tables or poker, only machines) but my fiance is a nasty poker player and as shy as she is was able to jump right in. So it only takes a little bit of time to pick it up. Just be smart and if you dont feel good about it, check yourself right out.
Drinking and gambling don’t mix well because it leads to stupid risks. so gamble first, then drink, if you end up drinking. In your area the roulette wheel probably only has one green zero instead of two like the US. This means better odds for you. Roulette isn’t hard. It can be slow paced. Probably giving time for conversation, and actually you could probably drink a little bit and be fine. Quit drinking before you decide to bet it all on the number 23 or something.
Anyway, don’t listen to those other guys. Casinos are for gambling, so if you don’t know how to gamble, figure it out, otherwise if you stick with “if you don’t know how to gamble, don’t” then you never will. Play at least a bit, otherwise when you get asked how you did and you say “I didn’t gamble, also I didn’t drink, I was just that sober guy that stood around and listened in on stories and watched, so as to keep my cool composure and find out what everyone really thinks.” then, whatever. Going out with coworkers is meant to be a bonding experience, a shared joy or misery. Don’t lose your paycheck, but at least dip your toes in the water. As for drinking, obviously my opinion is biased because I’m sort of an alchy, but getting drunk with someone is better than drinking with someone. Conversations become more open and honest, and can lead to new friends or outings. Unless you are just some sort of charismatic guy that is awesome anyway, in which case, whatever.
“if you stick with “if you don’t know how to gamble, don’t” then you never will.”
And that would be tragic how?