My office is having a christmas/holiday party thingy on December the 6th. I had figured it would be at the local bar or some sort of restaurant so I thought I would show up, eat some mozzarella sticks, have a soda, collect any sort of holiday gift/check they may hand out, make some small talk and head home. Now I find out that it is a sit down, semi-formal affair at a country club so being able to be in and out without worrying about bringing a date and seeming sad and lonely isn’t really going to be an option. Everyone that has RSVP’d at this point is bringing a guest so I would really like to avoid being the odd one out, you know?
Since I have only been in New York for 5 months or so now I really only know a couple of people that might be able to go with me, but they are either girls or a friend of mine who is really romantically interested in me and I would rather not lead him on by asking him to be my “date”. I don’t think this is the kind of thing you advertise on Craigslist, so my question is how do I find someone to go with me to this shindig that isn’t insane or expecting some sort of naked compensation for his time?
I was hired to be a date at a wedding once because the mother of the groom kept trying to set this girl (my client) up with her son’s idiot redneck friends. I had a great time drinking beer with her dad and her father-in-law offered me a job. There was no naked compensation (sigh).
I am 25 years old, so 20-35 (possibly 37 or 38 since it isn’t a romantic date, just someone to talk to and keep me from feeling awkward at the office party) would be a good age range.
I would prefer not to hire somebody. I will gladly pay for transportation to and from the party though, and it is a free dinner. I am also pretty fun to be around and I am a decent conversationalist so it would be an entertaining evening with free food if nothing else.
I’m married and I don’t think my wife would let me do it, but all the same, thanks for making this 36 year old guy (turning 37 in one month) feel old
I would also like to add that “naked compensation” is a terrific phrase that I haven’t heard before. I will be sure to make use of it in my salary/bonus discussions this year (not)
I’m not trying to make anyone feel old, I promise! Just that when I go on romantic dates generally I try to keep the age difference to 10 years or less. I have actually dated men older than that and they are perfectly nice but there is usually a generation gap that makes it more difficult to make a relationship work.
And if you are actually able to get some sort of naked compensation at your next review due to using the phrase, you’re welcome.
I once went as a friend’s “date” to an office holiday party. It was fun because I wasn’t expected to do much but be pleasant and look presentable, and all his coworkers were surprised and impressed that he showed up with such a foxy young thing on his arm (I’m about 18 years younger than he is). I made a friend look good and got free enchiladas – it was a good deal. I hope you find a nice date, pbbth!
I’m in a nitpicky mood, so . . . just to clarify, you’re female, right? (Just to avoid some straight dude getting all gussied up and then discovering that he’s about to out himself . . . or, conversely, some gay dude getting all gussied up and finding out that his date has girl cooties.)
Ooh, it could totally be a mini-Dopefest! Come on guys, there has to be at least one Doper in the Manhattan area who would like a free dinner and to spend some time with someone who is super awesome.
I need to do this for our company Christmas party. I’d much rather hang out with a local doper that I kinda know than a complete stranger from Craigslist. What a great idea! I don’t wanna hijack your thread though, so I’ll hang back a few days then start my own.
