5 mistakes to avoid making at a work happy hour, according to an etiquette coach

There are a few things people should avoid doing while at happy hour with coworkers.

Heading to happy hour with your colleagues and boss can be fun, but it can also be a tricky social scene to navigate.

With return-to-office mandates becoming more and more common these days, it’s likely that many workers will see an increase in in-person happy hours and events.

However, socializing with coworkers outside the office can lead to blunders and etiquette mishaps — especially when alcoholic drinks are involved.

To help you steer clear of these pitfalls, B-17 asked etiquette expert Myka Meier to share some of the most common missteps people make at work happy hours and how to avoid them. Here’s what she said.

Overindulging in alcohol at happy hour can lead to issues in the workplace

Drinking too much can sometimes lead people to say things they wouldn’t normally say in the workplace.

Meier said the biggest mistake people make when going to happy hour with their coworkers is overindulging in alcohol and not knowing their limits.

This can be especially dangerous because drinking too much can sometimes lead people to say things they wouldn’t normally say in the workplace.

“I would say loose lips sink ships, and that ship, in this case, could be your career,” Meier said. “At the end of the day, with alcohol, we lose our inhibitions and, with that, our judgment. Sometimes we say things or do things we wouldn’t usually do in a workplace.”

To avoid making unprofessional comments, gossiping, or oversharing, limiting alcohol intake is crucial.

“These are the same people that you’re going to sit with at the boardroom table the next day, and you don’t want them to think of you in a nonprofessional light,” Meier added.

Dressing inappropriately can be seen as unprofessional

Meier said another common mistake people make at happy hour involves how they dress.

She told B-17 that although you’re not expected to wear a blazer or tie to happy hour, it’s important to remain professional and present yourself in the best way possible.

It’s OK to be a bit more relaxed and casual in a bar environment. Still, Meier recommends staying away from anything too casual or revealing.

Limit physical contact to a handshake

It’s best to remain professional and avoid physical contact beyond a handshake.

When going out to a bar with coworkers, physical touch is another thing to be cautious of.

“If you wouldn’t usually hug a colleague, I personally would avoid hugging a colleague in a happy hour environment,” Meier said.

Even though you might feel more comfortable with coworkers in a social setting, it’s best to remain professional and avoid physical contact beyond a handshake.

Learning more about your coworkers is great — but it’s important to avoid crossing any lines

Happy hour can be a great opportunity to learn more about the people you work with. However, Meier suggests being cautious of the questions you ask.

For example, she said it’s best to avoid questions about whether coworkers are dating or have children.

“Anything too personal can rub people the wrong way,” she told B-17.

Instead, Meier suggested asking open-ended questions like where they grew up or what their college experience was like.

She said that it’s perfectly fine to have a relaxed conversation and get to know coworkers better, but she warned that it can be a slippery slope if you aren’t careful.

Compliments on appearance can rub people the wrong way

In a professional environment, Meier said compliments like, “You were brilliant in that presentation,” are totally acceptable.

However, when spending time outside the office, it can be tempting to give physical compliments like, “Wow, that dress is great on you.”

Meier said it’s important to keep compliments professional because, otherwise, they can be taken out of context and make people feel uncomfortable.

“Maybe that person’s just saying you look nice, but it came off in a sexual way. It’s probably the fastest way to be called HR, is to make somebody feel like you are hitting on them, especially if you’re in a different position of power than the other person,” Meier said.