Beware the pitfalls of the annual holiday party

The holiday gathering is one of those curious crossroads where the personal meets the professional. But the bottom line is this: It’s still a work-related function and you should act accordingly. Here are a few pointers to make sure you aren’t part of Monday’s gossip:

• Dress appropriately. Your “clubbing” attire may be too provocative for this event. Dress up rather than down, but not so extravagantly that you appear to be showing off.

• Indulge moderately. Be a polite guest. Don’t gorge yourself on free food and, of course, take care with how much alcohol you consume.

• Behave responsibly. All your organization’s policies still apply—harassment, discrimination, substance abuse. Ignore the mistletoe; dance conservatively.

• Mingle with everyone. Don’t monopolize any one person or group for very long. Conduct light conversations with as many people as you can. Though it’s a work event, refrain from talking about work projects.