The dreaded Holdiay party with coworkers

While we're on the topic of Christmas, don't you sometimes hate the "office" holiday party? My work group typically goes out for a luncheon gathering to commiserate, relax, and celebrate the season. If it could only be that simple I wouldn't be about to rant... First off, there are always those individuals who can't make up their minds about what to order until the very last minute, then complain about what they got. Then, there are those who groan that the selected restaurant is too expensive, and "who picked this place anyway?" Now comes the jostling for seat selection at said restaurant. There is an unspoken pecking order, of course, and everyone has their buddies they wish to surround themselves with. God forbid you get stuck next to the office loser, the office jerk, the one-who-never-bathes, or the thick-accented immigrant with whom your eyes glaze over every time they open their mouth. And it always figures that the last guy to arrive manages to get the best seat at the table, and he usually fits into one of the dreaded 4 categories! So much for arriving early. Do not allow a seat next to you to remain unfilled for that very reason! Now you better hope that you what you ordered isn't the yummiest dish of all or you will have everyone commenting on your food and asking how good it is, falling just short of asking to taste it (trust me, the expectation is there.) Oh, and last but not least is the ball-cap guy. The guy who always wears a cap because of his balding pate. He does not remove his hat in the restaurant because he's too embarrassed to show his bald head in front of his coworkers. So instead, we get to be affronted by his lack of manners and the sight of his cap while we're eating. (Make this guy the 5th category of people you don't want to get stuck next to... although if he's next to you at least you don't have to look at him, you can look down at your plate or the person across the table from you). Ah, the holidays... aren't they grand?