What To Do When Invited To Your Boss's House

There are some things about employment that are rarely fun. So now you have been invited to your boss’s house and there is no way you can wriggle out of this social obligation. You might as well get dressed! And be prepared to go snorkeling in a suit.

Here are a few pointers that can help.

- Check what the occasion is, if it has not been communicated, he/she obviously doesn’t want to make a song and dance about it, so make discreet enquiries

- Don’t plan on going empty handed. It is your first time and if you aren’t all that friendly take something impersonal but tasteful ( flowers, wine- if he/she drinks, sweets or a home made delicacy)

- Don’t take anything personal, it could be misconstrued (signature kerchiefs are a no no, if you are that close you wont be reading this! )

- If you have children and plan on taking a child with you, find out at the very outset if it is a gathering with children. To land up with your kid hoping that the world at large will fall in love with your child is a potent combination of idiocy and lunacy.

- If you are partnered and it is at the boss’s house, do take your partner. Don’t land up single, it isn’t boys/ girls night out! - At the party, don’t gush over the boss’s partner, over compliment or try to hard. Be yourself(I mean normal here!) and polite

- Lastly, always send a thank you message the next morning. It is gracious and welcome. Yes it would mean you will get invited again, but hey, you tolerate your in-laws, relatives at large and your partner’s sibling, this atleast comes with a guaranteed paycheck and a good appraisal.