Once again it's time for Mark's Holiday party at work. It's always a bit of a dilemma for us because frankly, Mark and I are sort of viewed as the "kill-joys" of the group. The upper management and their spouses always do something during December. Because it's a mix of Christians and Jews, they always go sort of holiday neutral - which is fine. But, it often seems to be tricky for us.
Two years ago they chose to go to a local dinner theater show. It was on a weeknight which was a problem for us since it would be a late night and therefore hard to get a babysitter. But, the other dilemma was that this show was somewhere between PG-13 and R-rated in the humor. So, after really not much discussion between us, Mark told his boss that we wouldn't be attending. It was sort of awkward because the tickets were purchased before anyone was even told where we would be going. But, we just didn't feel good spending the evening watching essentially "bawdy" vaudeville circus acts.
Last year, they chose something different. We went to a very nice restaurant downtown. That was a lovely evening and I have no problem sitting around with people having a glass of wine with dinner. But, some of them drank, and drank, and drank, and drank to the point where it was embarrassing. BECAUSE of the alcohol which we all knew would flow freely, they took us to the restaurant in a "party bus" which was an old transit bus with most of the seats removed for a dance floor and disco lights flashing. The ride down was nice, but the ride back was, well, a little, ummmm, "interesting". Pretty much everyone had at least a buzz and some were just sloppy drunk. We survived, though, and appreciated the night out.
This year, they chose another really upscale restaurant. But the only night they could get reservations was on Sunday. So, once again, we said, "Have fun!" (and we really mean that) and will bow out again.
Of course, there is a lot of "we'll make it up to you" going on. Honestly, while I appreciate that sentiment, we really don't care. We don't need to have an equal share of holiday festivities. I hope they have a great evening.
The challenge is that when you do something like this, you're never really sure if it sort of becomes a "black mark" against you at work. I know that some at work don't "get" where Mark's coming from. He doesn't drink and he will often ask people to not swear in his presence. And, that's not the culture at his place of employment.
But, you hope that you are blessed for standing for your convictions and that your example will have an impact on others. It's not easy to stand up for what you believe at times. Sometimes it's downright uncomfortable. But it's important. I think Latter-Day Saints will be required to stand up and be strong more and more as the days move forward. Look what's happening California and now Utah. Will you be willing to stand up and be counted or will you shrink to the back of the crowd and hang-out with them but be silent about your convictions?
Two years ago they chose to go to a local dinner theater show. It was on a weeknight which was a problem for us since it would be a late night and therefore hard to get a babysitter. But, the other dilemma was that this show was somewhere between PG-13 and R-rated in the humor. So, after really not much discussion between us, Mark told his boss that we wouldn't be attending. It was sort of awkward because the tickets were purchased before anyone was even told where we would be going. But, we just didn't feel good spending the evening watching essentially "bawdy" vaudeville circus acts.
Last year, they chose something different. We went to a very nice restaurant downtown. That was a lovely evening and I have no problem sitting around with people having a glass of wine with dinner. But, some of them drank, and drank, and drank, and drank to the point where it was embarrassing. BECAUSE of the alcohol which we all knew would flow freely, they took us to the restaurant in a "party bus" which was an old transit bus with most of the seats removed for a dance floor and disco lights flashing. The ride down was nice, but the ride back was, well, a little, ummmm, "interesting". Pretty much everyone had at least a buzz and some were just sloppy drunk. We survived, though, and appreciated the night out.
This year, they chose another really upscale restaurant. But the only night they could get reservations was on Sunday. So, once again, we said, "Have fun!" (and we really mean that) and will bow out again.
Of course, there is a lot of "we'll make it up to you" going on. Honestly, while I appreciate that sentiment, we really don't care. We don't need to have an equal share of holiday festivities. I hope they have a great evening.
The challenge is that when you do something like this, you're never really sure if it sort of becomes a "black mark" against you at work. I know that some at work don't "get" where Mark's coming from. He doesn't drink and he will often ask people to not swear in his presence. And, that's not the culture at his place of employment.
But, you hope that you are blessed for standing for your convictions and that your example will have an impact on others. It's not easy to stand up for what you believe at times. Sometimes it's downright uncomfortable. But it's important. I think Latter-Day Saints will be required to stand up and be strong more and more as the days move forward. Look what's happening California and now Utah. Will you be willing to stand up and be counted or will you shrink to the back of the crowd and hang-out with them but be silent about your convictions?
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2 comments:
So true!! We often wonder the same things. But in the end there are MANY times R bows out. In the end we know we are watched and have certain unspoken expectations placed on us. One time we won the drawing. You guessed it, a bottle of wine. Boy, did we have LOTS of "friends" asking us to give them the bottle. (which we did give to someone)
And imagine the example to the boys. It's one they will remember.
Like the song said - if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.
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