American Expat Attends First British Christmas Party, Nothing Prepared Her

An American expat living in London has shared her shock after attending her first ever British office Christmas party.

The 42-year-old, who wished to remain anonymous, works in management in the City of London and was so surprised by her office holiday party that she recorded a message to a friend.

In a video message that she has since shared to TikTok last week under the username @reallybigscissors, the poster shared: “I am leaving the company Christmas party. I have never, ever in my life been this drunk. They were all fine. It’s only 9 o’clock. I have to tap the **** out. What the ****? I had to share this with you. I love you. I miss you. Bye.”

With more than 250,000 views on the social media platform, the message left people in stitches at the American’s reaction to the British drink-filled celebration.

“This is my first time working in corporate Britain after decades in tech in the States, and it’s been an experience. My partner is sober, so I’ve just not spent much time immersed in the drinking culture. It was a shock,” the employee told Newsweek.

She added: “I’ve never seen so much alcohol consumed so quickly and with zero outward effect. It was wild to see my usually stoic coworkers completely unwind. It apparently wasn’t even as big a bash as last year, but when they started mixing vodka with Prosecco, I had to tap out. I went back to the office and sent this video message to my best friend back in Seattle.”

According to statistics in 2016 from Our World in Data, there are stark differences in drinking culture between the British and Americans. The United Kingdom has a higher proportion of heavy drinkers, with just over 40 percent of those ages 15 and over admitting consuming at least six alcoholic drinks in one sitting in the last month. This can be compared to just over 36 percent in the U.S.

The culture shift was all too clear to the employee who said she enjoyed it.

“In the States, you’re taught to feel shame about being drunk around your coworkers. But here, I’ve never seen people so free and happy and silly. It was a delight!”

TikTok Users React

On TikTok, it wasn’t long before people shared their thoughts in the comments section, with a large proportion of British people reacting.

“Unless you wake up to an email from HR requesting a meeting you haven’t done it right,” user Isaac wrote, while Belinda added: “It’s a right of passage for us [British people] to wake up after the Xmas party covered in either a kebab or their own vomit.”

User Lucy commented: “If speech is understandable I consider myself sober.”

While Grh1304 wrote: “Part timer, work Christmas parties are legendary, if you can walk and talk and not wearing a traffic cone on your head, you’re not doing it right.”

“I honestly don’t remember posting it to TikTok on my way home. But the reaction has tickled me to no end,” the poster told Newsweek. “I did take the wrong bus home and spilled my entire bag on the High Street, so I feel like there’s hope for improvement next time.”