I attended/organized a baby shower for my boss yesterday. I was told to arrange it at a very nice restuarant. It included a salad, main course with two sides, and a dessert, coffee, soda, water service (and favors) Everyone from the entire office (about 30 people) were invited to attend. It was at noon, and afterwards the executive director kindly gave everyone the rest of the day off. This morning I have heard several times how unhappy some employees are that there was no open bar. The meal was at least $30 a person which doesn't include tips, or a fee for renting out a room. Since I didn't deal with the bill (the executive director did) I don't know what the total cost was, but I know it was a lot, especially after all the decorations and flowers were totalled up. I work at a small nonprofit organization, and the organization surely footed the bill. Do I have a reason to be upset that people complained about no open bar?
2007-10-25 06:29:21 · 13 answers · asked by missy 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
ps, it was for my female boss, the executive director is also my boss but her's as well. :)
2007-10-25 06:45:43 · update #1
sorry, maybe that doesnt make sense. I have two bosses: one is a female (the director) and one is a male (the executive director). The shower was for the female director.
2007-10-25 06:47:23 · update #2
An open bar for a baby shower? When nobody had to pay for anything else. What exactly do they expect. A work related baby shower in the middle of the afternoon isn't exactly the time to be getting drunk. You do have a right to be upset.
2007-10-25 11:20:25 · answer #1 · answered by grouch2111 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The lunch/shower was during work time. I don't see why there should have been an open bar. Did your boss cover the total cost of the luncheon or did the employees chip in some $? Either way, I think these people were out of line complaining about the bar. If they wanted a drink that badly, they should put out the money. Did they have a choice whether or not to attend? If so, they could have respectfully declined.
A nonprofit should not be paying for drinks for staff on company time. Just my opinion.
I hope the guest of honor had a nice time.
2007-10-25 14:57:54 · answer #2 · answered by Lizzie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely! What a bunch of rude pigs! Just thank God you don't have them in your personal life; having them in your life at all is bad enough! Dreadful, cheap behavior. Just the types who would have gotten drunk, loud and obnoxious (although they seem to be doing all that sober) and had blackouts.
I would make a point of finding out who these individuals are who complained and call them into a meeting and let them know one, it was for a BABY SHOWER not a New year's Eve party, they got the day off, they got a great meal and they have a great boss and if any one of them is unhappy perhaps they need to look elsewhere for employment.
2007-10-25 13:46:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Definitely! An open bar at a baby shower? Let those people know that complaining gives the impression that they were only there for the free food and were not happy for your boss and his wife.
2007-10-25 13:44:37 · answer #4 · answered by Professor Cuddles III 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't expect an open bar at a restaurant luncheon. If some wished to have a cocktail, I'm sure no one was stopping them. It would seem the Exec. Dir. was being more than generous for this shower. You did what you were asked and authorized to do so you shouldn't be upset. Some people are never satisfied.
2007-10-25 13:41:19 · answer #5 · answered by dawnb 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's been my experience in organizing events that there's no satisfying some people. In your situation no open bar was necessary. Go on and brush their comments off. Sometimes, people will just go along with a 'party group' b/c they believe anything. There was no mention nor promise of an open bar, enough said. Don't worry.
2007-10-25 13:49:15 · answer #6 · answered by Mr. Len 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd be upset too but consider the source: people complaining about no open bar at a BABY SHOWER are complete morons. Try to let it roll right off your back.
It sounds like it was really nice, and I for one, would have been grateful for the generous meal and the afternoon off!
2007-10-25 13:43:15 · answer #7 · answered by fun_purple_beach 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I wouldn't think an open bar would be appropriate at a baby shower. Holy cow!
Yes you have reason to be upset. The ppl that complained are selfish idiots looking for free booze.
2007-10-25 13:37:54 · answer #8 · answered by pansyblue 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I don't think there is any point in being upset by it. But they're way out of line! It was a BABY SHOWER. It would have been rude to offer drinks when the guest of honor (the pregnant mom) can't have any.
Some people just can't be satisfied, no matter how much they get. Chalk it up to their pettiness and let it go.
2007-10-25 13:35:40 · answer #9 · answered by sparki777 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
There is no need to have an open bar at any event, although many companies do. You have no reason to be upset at all, it's not as if it were a wedding, birthday party or holiday party. I, for one, do not expect an open bar at a baby shower.
2007-10-25 13:34:09 · answer #10 · answered by Foggy Idea 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋