‘I was told [the] theme was “ugly sweater…” It was not’: Pre-school teacher becomes punchline to ‘Mean Girls’-style prank at her formal office holiday party

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Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor
Dec 13, 2023 6:00 PM EST

Did you even think people still pulled pranks like these? We didn't even think high schoolers went to this level anymore, let alone full grown adults! Unfortunately, it turns out humanity still has a long way to go. Why do we think this? Because of this Reddit post we recently came across. 

A pre-school teacher to a small school, no more than 20 people in the company, attended a holiday work party. Earlier in the month she was told it was "ugly sweater" themed. This is a common casual and silly holiday party theme people love to do—and she was all about it! In her excitement, she went above and beyond for the theme and bought herself a silly "ugly sweater" dress. She was beaming with excitement for the party, until she actually attended. She looked around and everyone was very formally dressed. When she asked the new girl what the theme was, she said "business chic." And apparently, the new girl was specifically told not to include the theme in the invite because "everybody just knows." OP was mortified. She not only now looked ridiculous at this party, she also now realizes she's being bullied by her coworkers. What would you do?

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    via Thirdman via Pexels
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    Posted by u/Desperasberry 2 days ago I was told that our companies christmas party's theme is "ugly sweater" when it was not.
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    I work as a preschool teacher. My company has about 20 people, counting internships, and hosted a christmas party at a local restaurant yesterday. I work there since May.
    via u/Desperasberry
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    Weeks ago I was told that the theme for the party is "ugly sweater" which is fantastic since I really enjoy wearing those. But to "top it of" I ordered a knitted dress in the style of an ugly sweater and some thermo-thighs. I
    via u/Desperasberry
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    was excited and even showed some people screenshots of the dress, to which they all responded positively. Yesterday evening I arrived at the restaurant and was greated by a very formal office look among all my coworkers. Small
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    black or red dresses, formal jackets, skirts, white button down shirts, high heels. And me wearing my knitted dress in the middle of it all.
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    I felt underdressed at best until I tried to ask a new colleague about the dress code. She started working just 3 weeks ago and she told me its all "business chic" but people assured her everyone knew so she
    via u/Desperasberry
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    didn't need to write it in our WhatsApp Group (where I could have seen it) Through snippets I got from many conversations I learned that only I, the one who wears ugly sweaters to work, was
    via u/Desperasberry
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    told about this theme and one colleague literally asked my boss if she doesn't pay me enough for nice clothes...
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    Monday work will start again and I have no ideal on where to find the courage to go.
    via u/Desperasberry
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    NaomiString. 2 days ago Quietly replace the office coffee with decaf for a week ...
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    Maleficent_Theory818. 2 days ago I would talk to your supervisor about the person telling you the theme was "ugly sweater" when the others were told it was "business chic". I would let
    via u/Maleficent_Theory818
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    your boss know that the comment about your pay was insensitive and rude. The person who told you the theme needs to be talked to by their supervisor. Let your
    via u/Maleficent_Theory818
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    boss know that you don't feel that this was just a "joke" and you were humiliated.
    via u/Maleficent_Theory818
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    squirrelfoot 2 days ago The person at your work who lied to you about the dresscode is an AH. I'm sorry they did that to you.
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    I'd chalk it up to jealousy of your looks/style/skill and move on as if nothing happened, though telling your boss why you were dressed as you were is advisable.
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    Science_Matters_100 2 days ago 100 Op needs to get out of the "feelings" and into a proactive plan that will prevail in the end. People like that are never friends; that ship sailed.
    via u/Science_Matters_100
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    MistakeOk2518. 1 day ago Yeah- I'd cut my losses now This is straight up bullying - you appear to be a very kindhearted person and want to do what's right and fix this
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    (which you should have never been put in this predicament by a bunch of nasty, mean spirited, pos cowards in the first place!) Had this been someone else... who knows? A
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    mentally unstable person may have just decided to go home and get some fire power and retaliate... is no joke I am this so sorry you were the
    via u/MistakeOk2518
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    brunt of a "not funny joke." I don't believe this will get better no matter who you ask for help.
    via u/MistakeOk2518
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    Anonymous63637375. 2 days ago I would have named and shamed at the party. "I feel so silly! JOHN told me it was ugly sweater themed. I wonder why he would have given me this incorrect information."
    via u/Anonymous63637375
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    JulieThinx · 2 days ago I'm the self deprecating humor type so that is how I personally would own it but it isn't everyone's style. Pick the narrative - either someone informed you incorrectly and you lean all in on things - or that you are "that" quirky
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    coworker or something else. Either way, go in hold your head high and own that . (also the petty stuff can come later) but what will get you owning it is to be shameless - even if you are faking it until you're making it.
    via u/JulieThinx

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employee prank office holiday parnk bullying coworkers ugly sweater holiday party mean girls ugly sweater mean girls IRL Holiday party ugly sweater party office christmas party office holiday party
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