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December 12, 2025

Office holiday parties can be dreadful for introverts and people with social anxiety

By CATHY BUSSEWITZ
Associated Press

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Experts say dressing comfortably, arriving right on time and planning talking points in advance can make conversations feel less awkward. Avoid divisive topics and keep things light.

NEW YORK — The year the radio station company where he worked held its holiday party at a dive bar, Ryan Arnold walked in and saw coworkers passing around a tall glass boot filled with beer. He heard the office manager belting out ‘80s power ballads between whiskey shots. Arnold's first thought was, “When can I leave?”


 
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