# How to Find a Date for an Office Party **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 20, 2007, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228 "2007-11-20T20:42:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228/1 "2007-11-20T20:42:57Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228/2 "2007-11-20T20:45:20Z")
Post a thread in MPSIMS and recruit a Doper. Seriously. How old are you? What age would be appropriate? ---
**Author:** ![ChiefScott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228/3 "2007-11-20T20:46:28Z")
I’m sure there’re plenty o’ folk here who would fit the bill… ---
**Author:** ![Kuboydal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecb155/32.png) [@Kuboydal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kuboydal)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228/4 "2007-11-20T20:48:52Z")
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). ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228/5 "2007-11-20T21:00:03Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228/6 "2007-11-20T21:03:38Z")
Where exactly are you – NYC? Manhattan or one of the other boroughs? ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228/7 "2007-11-20T21:03:51Z")
[QUOTE=pbbth] 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. [/QUOTE] Pay for transportation, huh? I’ve always wanted to go to New York… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228/8 "2007-11-20T21:04:27Z")
Where is Awesome Country? ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228/9 "2007-11-20T21:05:34Z")
I am in Manhattan. The party is in Scarsdale (which is in Westchester county.) And I meant pay for LOCAL transportation…no paying for plane tickets! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228/10 "2007-11-20T21:10:46Z")
[QUOTE=pbbth] 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. [/QUOTE] 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) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228/11 "2007-11-20T21:22:31Z")
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. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![cbawlmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cbawlmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cbawlmer)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228/12 "2007-11-20T21:27:13Z")
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**! ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228/13 "2007-11-20T21:50:41Z")
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.) ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228/14 "2007-11-20T21:54:35Z")
Yeah, I’m a chick. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228/15 "2007-11-20T22:00:26Z")
Oh. I’d go if I were…you know…in your city. Think of it as a mini-Dopefest! ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228/16 "2007-11-20T23:55:42Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228/17 "2007-11-21T00:16:14Z")
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. 😉 Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![JustAnotherGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/58f4c7/32.png) [@JustAnotherGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustAnotherGeek)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228/18 "2007-11-21T00:44:58Z")
Well, shoot. If I was closer to NYC, a mini-dopefest / pretending to be someone’s man-candy would be fun! Anyone in Providence / Boston need some man-candy? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228/19 "2007-11-21T01:08:22Z")
I know it’s only been five months, but surely you’ve met some cute gay guys who’d like some free drinks and dinner? ---
**Author:** ![Yag\_Rannavach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/858c86/32.png) [@Yag\_Rannavach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yag_Rannavach)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228/20 "2007-11-21T01:44:18Z")
I’ve seen craigslist ads for that. Dunno how it worked out, and I’ve never replied to them, but someone thinks it’s one way to find people. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-a-date-for-an-office-party/427228.md?page=2)