Quote:
Originally Posted by troutman
If the social science research is correct, about half the world are extroverts, and half are introverts. Extroverts have a hard time understanding how introverts are uncomfortable in social settings, and would rather avoid corporate events. These events are not "fun" for introverts, and cause them anxiety. To tell them to "suck it up" does not recognize how they are wired differently.
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I am an introvert and I make the effort to go to work events even though I'd often rather be doing something else. I also have no problem not going to an event especially if I have something planned already.
There are two different issues being argued over in this thread. One is a person's obligation to attend work events which really isn't the issue at hand. The other is that he agreed to attend the event and is now backing out of it at the last minute. Most people will understand that sometimes things just pop up. A family birthday party isn't one of them. I would suggest that next time Pho you should check your calendar before accepting an invitation to an event.
The real problem I see here is that Pho has a hard time telling people no. Make a decision and stick to your guns on it. As I said before, you don't need to explain yourself. Just politely decline and if they ask you for a reason you can say it's personal. It's honestly none of their business. Don't make a big deal of it and neither will they. If they do, perhaps you should find another place to work.