Dear Annie:

Each year, the company my wife works for hosts a Christmas dinner party at a local restaurant. What used to be an enjoyable meal with a handful of employees has become a large, drunken event lasting late into the night. One year, two employees had a fistfight outside the entrance. Last year, they actually set fire to one of the tables.

I am not opposed to drinking, but this is out of control. The spectacle is viewed by other patrons of the restaurant. Each year, my wife talks about not going, but always does and insists we stay to the bitter end. This year, I've suggested we have cocktails and dinner, thank the hosts and leave. I think we would be setting a good example and other employees would follow. What do you think? － Embarrassed Out West

Dear Out West:

We're with you. It is not rude to stay for cocktails and dinner and then make your farewells, as long as you do so in an unhurried manner and don't give the impression that you are in a rush. The ones who get drunk may not even notice you're gone. More importantly, you may give other uncomfortable employees the courage to do the same, and perhaps if enough of them walk out, the boss will find another way to celebrate the holiday.

to get out of hand 失控；脫序

enjoyable (adj.) 令人愉快的；好玩的

a handful of 少量；少數

fistfight (n.) 斗毆；打斗

spectacle (n.) 出丑；出洋相

patron (n.) 顧客；客人

cocktail (n.) 雞尾酒

to set a good example 當好榜樣；做楷模

farewell (n.) 道別；告別

courage (n.) 勇氣；膽量