Be safe, not sorry

IT is office party season and like everyone else, you are no doubt looking forward to an opportunity o have fun with your colleagues. Many of us, however, have heard all the horror stories around end-of-year office party blunders but there is a way to ensure that you have fun and don’t end up embarrassing yourself and having to hang your head in shame the next day.

DrinkIQ – a brandhouse initiative – gives some tips on how to drink in moderation and make sure that your Christmas party lives up to its promise.

• Plan for everything: You know how you are going to get to the party, and what you are going to wear. But the one thing that people forget is to plan how you are going to get home safely. Always have cash set aside for your taxi ride home; or get a designated driver, or better still – be the designated driver yourself.

• Eat before you drink: Drinking on an empty stomach can be a recipe for disaster. Food will help to slow the absorption of alcohol into the circulatory system.

• Pace yourself: Alcohol will dehydrate you so drink plenty of water or soft drinks beforehand and during the night to make sure you stay refreshed.

• Don’t ever accept drinks from strangers: Make sure you get your drinks from the barman directly, and make sure you watch the barman open the drink in front of you. This ensures that you know where your drink is coming from and nothing is spiked.

• Sip your drink: It’s all about quality and not quantity. And your head will feel better in the morning.

• Know your limit: Most people find that no more than a drink an hour will keep them in control of the situation and avoid drunkenness.

• Respect the rights of those who do not wish to drink: It is considered impolite to attempt to get people to drink if they do not wish to do so. They may abstain for religious or medical reasons, because they are recovering alcoholics, or they just may not like the taste and effect it has on them.

• Don’t drink and drive: Whatever you do, NEVER drink and drive.