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Posted: |
Dec 7, 2007 - 12:38 PM
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By: |
Thor
(Member)
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In Norway, we have a tradition called "julebord" - literally translated as "christmas tables". Almost every institution and community has one (schools, companies, friends, organizations...you name it), and they usually start as early as November. It's called "christmas table" because, well, we sit at tables and eat traditional christmas meals (and continue the party afterwards). I believe it hails back to Medieval times.
It is a source of some controversy because sexual and unwanted mingling between employees may occur under the influence of alcohol (such as the secretary hitting on the boss etc.). Also, this is the one night during the whole year where established husbands and wives with families are allowed some slack and take it all the way out. Not always a pretty sight.
I'm currently entering a period with no less than four christmas tables next week, starting tomorrow. On wednesday, for exmaple, I'll have one with my work-place and I'm supposed to hold the "speech for the ladies" (a woman is holding the "speech for the men"). Should be...uhm, interesting.
Anyways, do any of you have similar traditions?
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Yeah Thor, you'll find nearly all offices and work firms in the UK have a Xmas party anytime between late November to just before the big day. They'll hire a pub/restaurant (or maybe have it actually in the offices) and everyone will get drunk, act stupid, do something stupid and wake up with a massive hangover/feeling like shit. Our ones got pretty boring some time ago (maybe it's just me getting old), plus these past few years they always have them on the Friday night BEFORE our Footy Day out (which is a whole'nother thing - just the lads who play footy, £100's already in the paid up 'kitty', matches to watch, betting to do - much better in my eyes), so I prefer to get my rest on the Friday and hammer it with the lads on the Saturday. Plus, all they ever bitch about is work and the management...zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
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Oh Thor, you never cease to entertain me with your peculiar posts...
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Oh Thor, you never cease to entertain me with your peculiar posts...
Oh, you know....the Americans get to post all their peculiar traditions and topics in here (Thanksgiving, Halloween, American football/baseball and what-have-you), so why can't we "esoteric" Norwegians post about some of ours as well? 
Yeah, keep them coming!
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Once upon a time- actually as late as 1993, office Christmas parties served liquor. Not anymore, everyone is too afraid of accidental death lawsuits, DUI's etc. Some companies do have off campus affairs with paid open bars, but what a bore- watered down booze at 4 to 5 bucks a pop.
Anyway, I like your old Norwegian custom better. Any party where you can get laid is my kind of party.
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Posted: |
Dec 8, 2007 - 8:16 AM
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By: |
Thor
(Member)
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Once upon a time- actually as late as 1993, office Christmas parties served liquor. Not anymore, everyone is too afraid of accidental death lawsuits, DUI's etc. Some companies do have off campus affairs with paid open bars, but what a bore- watered down booze at 4 to 5 bucks a pop.
Anyway, I like your old Norwegian custom better. Any party where you can get laid is my kind of party.
He, he...yeah. For many years, we (as university teachers and tutors) had to sign a statement that forbade us to engage in "indecent" and/or sexual relationships with our students. Now, thankfully, this has been abandoned, so I can be the "sleazy old (young?) teacher hitting on the students"!! 
Before you cry "moral outrage!", though, I should point out that I like to keep a professional distance to the students that are closest to me and that I'm tutoring. I'll most likely hit on the master students that are somewhat further removed professionally, but closer as friends (as they are, after all, just a couple of years younger than me). I'm not sure that makes it better, but there you are.
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I stopped going to happy hours after work on Fridays five years ago as I gradually saw some of them evolve into drunken, bar hopping late night debaucheries- DUI's, guys fighting over the same girl, indescriminate sex.... It was like a mini MELROSE PLACE.
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Anyway, I like your old Norwegian custom better. Any party where you can get laid is my kind of party.
Very funny Pike. I fell out of my chair.
I like your Hondo-like sense of humour.
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You should hear me go when I have a snoot full! A million laughs.
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In Norway, we have a tradition called "julebord" - literally translated as "christmas tables". Almost every institution and community has one (schools, companies, friends, organizations...you name it), and they usually start as early as November. It's called "christmas table" because, well, we sit at tables and eat traditional christmas meals (and continue the party afterwards). I believe it hails back to Medieval times.
It is a source of some controversy because sexual and unwanted mingling between employees may occur under the influence of alcohol (such as the secretary hitting on the boss etc.). Also, this is the one night during the whole year where established husbands and wives with families are allowed some slack and take it all the way out. Not always a pretty sight.
I'm currently entering a period with no less than four christmas tables next week, starting tomorrow. On wednesday, for exmaple, I'll have one with my work-place and I'm supposed to hold the "speech for the ladies" (a woman is holding the "speech for the men"). Should be...uhm, interesting.
Anyways, do any of you have similar traditions?
Xmas parties are fairly universal. Some are good, some a bore. Sometimes you're in the mood, sometimes not, but it's all about 'networking'.
I had a good friend years ago from Norway. He went to this more formal party thrown by a lecturer at his uni.. Apparently there's this term (I don't know the spelling?) 'Vorspiel' or the like, meaning a starter, aperatif, opening course or drink etc.? He walked in and boldly and publicly translated it LITERALLY as, 'Will we be having foreplay first?'
Great effect.
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