Help Me Get Out Of This

[Anonymous]

A manager of mine has a pool. He's offered to hosta company pool party on Labor Day. I declined the initial invitation because... I don't want to go swimming with my co workers. But there were too many conflicts with others, so he moved it to the preceding weekend. Do I just decline again or wait until the day of and claim illness?

[Anonymous]

Decline again. Family obligation.

[Anonymous]

You can do either…but you could also attend the pool party and not swim. Lots of people will probably be just hanging out by the side of the pool talking.

[Anonymous]

Do people swim at adult pool parties? Lounge or decline twice.

[Anonymous]

"Pool parties" can involve everything except getting in the pool, OP. Are you sure this is going to necessitate getting in the water?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can do either…but you could also attend the pool party and not swim. Lots of people will probably be just hanging out by the side of the pool talking.

+1. I don’t know how to swim. That doesn’t keep me away from beach vacations and pool parties. I just don’t go into the water.

[Anonymous]

I would go, but I wouldn’t bother wearing a swimsuit, because I already know I’d never go in. I’d just be chatting with people— probably inside the air conditioned house if this is in DMV weather.

[Anonymous]

Clothing optional?

[Anonymous]

Wear shorts and at most dangle your feet in wayer

[Anonymous]

Probably just a party around the pool. I actually think it would be inappropriate to be hanging out with coworkers in your bikini drinking. Can’t imagine HR would approve that one.

[Anonymous]

I would not swim at this party even if I wanted to go. I would expect to sit outside with refreshments vs. getting in the water in a bikini.

If you don't want to go to his house at all, be busy that weekend too. It happens.

[Anonymous]

Go, wear shorts or a dress and sandals. Drink and chat with your colleagues poolside. You do not need to go in the pool. That is super awkward, I doubt more than 1 or 2 people will swim.

[Anonymous]

It’s been years, but my husband’s academic advisor hosted a pool party for the lab. Even in that setting, only kids went in the pool - I rolled up my pants and took our 1 year old in the kiddie pool to splash around and I think that’s the closest any adults made it to the water.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s been years, but my husband’s academic advisor hosted a pool party for the lab. Even in that setting, only kids went in the pool - I rolled up my pants and took our 1 year old in the kiddie pool to splash around and I think that’s the closest any adults made it to the water.

This. I'm guessing families will be invited and only kids will swim. Honestly, pool parties for as long as I can remember only ever involved kids swimming.

I would go, however, if it's your manager. This is one of those unspoken company and team culture things that tends to be good for your career.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PPs that there will be many people who will not be swimming that day for the exact same reason as OP. How many times will the boss have to change the date before he realizes nobody wants to go.