Christmas meal dillemma

[Triggaaar]

I fear it is entirely of his own making. I've organised a few Christmas do's in my time, and its never even crossed my mind to get everyone else to pay for my meal.

Likewise. I thought perhaps the OP could do with the cash for his time, but:

its not about getting a freebie, Christ I earn enough to afford to pay it all!

WTF! If you can easily afford it, WTF are you getting yours paid for?

Yes of course organising it is a hassle, so either deal with the hassle as part of your Christman cheer, or let someone else deal with it.

To then conceal the freebie as an "admin fee" in with the (rather miserly) tip is not really cricket either.

Agreed. It's like those so called friends that organise your skiing trip, and get you to pay for their trip. Sorry if that's too middle class for you Easy.

Multiple trips to the venue to pay the deposit in dribs and drabs is a fairly bizarre state of affairs as well - surely you set a deadline, collect the deposits and do it in one hit.

Shambles !

Agreed.

 

[Triggaaar]

This 100%. What could possibly go wrong?

https://nortr3nixy.nimpr.uk/showthread.php?42216-An-emotional-apology-to-all

"Bye. Everyone. Being taken home by securiyty. "

 

[Smiley Miley]

So, now they are having a whip-round for you, but you're not going because you're sulking........

yep

 

[dazzer6666]

yep

Ask them for the cash

 

[KingstonSeagull]

Tried that originally, no joy, but its not about getting a freebie, Christ I earn enough to afford to pay it all! Its about continuing a suggestion from participants four years ago.

Uh Oh, I think we have a challenger for the richest person on NSC! [MENTION=6481]steve[/MENTION]foster what you got to say about this?

LOADSAMONEY!

 

[Chicken Run]

Having now had time to digest op and replies I am of the opinion that in 30 years of attending works Christmas parties many of which were left to one individual to sort, not one expected a free meal therefore I feel you should have highlighted from the outset you wanted a freebie for your trouble rather than a somewhat sneaky admin fee! Good luck btw.

 

[McTavish]

I have just noticed that ASLEF are on strike on the day of my work Christmas party. With a bit of luck it should be a proper strike, not one of the RMT sort that actually make getting to work easier, and so I will not be able to make it.

Solidarity brothers! (until the 16th anyway)

 

[Perkino]

So are you saying you never socialise with anyone you work with at all?

No, there are people I work with and would happily socialise with, but among those I work with are plenty more who I wouldn't regularly socialise with, those who I would consider to be simply colleagues.

Christmas is a time of year when there are events that take place which are not your idea of a good time but the social convention is to attend and get on with it, moaning about how much it costs along the way. My point was she should either pay up as agreed by the collection of staff or shut up and not go. It's hardly bullying!

 

[Randsta]

Spike her food then see how funny it is when she's tripping her balls off making a tit of her self in front of the whole office

 

[Smiley Miley]

Spike her food then see how funny it is when she's tripping her balls off making a tit of her self in front of the whole office

Miss prim and ****ing proper, be gone within 2 hours, not even a chance to smash her in the face

 

[Biscuit]

Totally agree re: tip, the meal is costing in excess of £650, I have now told them that I will only collect actual cost and they can tip what they like. Also thrown my rattle out of the pram and said I will not be going myself, with a big fat sulk.

Superb.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

Miss prim and ****ing proper, be gone within 2 hours, not even a chance to smash her in the face

Well, this has escalated a bit!

My team have been trying to organise a night out all year, and it hasn't happened. I think at some point you have to acknowledge that people just don't like each other. In our case, we've decided not to worry about Christmas meal this year, after the debacle of last year with no conversation at all and me basically eating all of the food that came out. In a way, it's a shame for me to miss out on £30/40 worth of food having paid £20, but nevermind. We didn't have anyone who wanted to organise, and there's only 18 of us!

 

[alfredmizen]

So, for years I have organised the office meal. Half day off for those who attend and what started off at just 8 has escalated to 32 for the last couple of years.
Quite a bit of work goes into it, sourcing venue, collecting and paying deposits, communicating fayre with pub, collecting balance and providing attendees with the food choice on the day cos they get pissed or rabbit too much.
Now I have never asked for anything just a pint or two maybe, however this year I thought i would charge a couple of quid extra to cover a £40 tip and pay for my meal, I communictaed this as an "admin fee".
So today I ask for food choice and balance and I get one old hag (who has a gripe with me anyway) question the "admin fee" and after telling her, she refused to pay full cost, i.e. the extra couple of quid.
Fair enough I will give you back your deposit and someone can take your place I tell her.
Well after "copy all" to 32 she accuses me of work place bullying and unless I reinstate her at the price she is willing to pay i should expect a call from H R.
I am inclined to reinstate her, tell everyone to pay the price of the meal only , sort your own tips out, pay the pub the balance and **** off home.

What would you do?

Either organise the meal or don't, you can't start charging "admin fees" etc.

 

[highflyer]

That is SUCH a British reaction

I am SO British, yes

I'd happily climb Everest without complaint, and put up with losing a few fingers and toes to frost bite. But I couldn't bear to cause a fuss in a social or work situation

 

[happypig]

I was invited on the team Xmas do but it's in London and I can't be arsed with a 4 hour round trip just for a free dinner and couple of pints.
I might have my own do on Saturday up the Hurst Arms while the Mrs is out, a gallon of harveys and bag of crisps.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Superb.

Classic flounce material right there Jeff

 

[TheJasperCo]

Lol, you should all go for a Christmas curry instead, hun xoxo

 

[Pavilionaire]

Refund all money and cancel the event and then make it known why and who was responsible. Then arrange another one as an informal meal nothing official with the people you chose and would like to go with.

BG, you have redeemed yourself with this post. It's like Marcus Trescothick never happened!

 

[portlock seagull]

Bin it and let everyone know why...she'll be gone by next year and you've given everyone a secret santa they probably all wanted: her resignation. Short term pain for long term gain and all that!

 

[Uncle Buck]

Say to all that there have been issues with the admin fee, from a minority.

For all those that have paid it, offer to refund it or it can be donated to a local charity.

Then do not attend the event.