- Diane Gottsman shares how to have a Halloween party that’s work-appropriate
- She recommends saving the daring costumes for the weekend when you dress up
- The expert also said to stay away from gory decorations and revealing outfits
Halloween is the spookiest time of year – but one etiquette expert is now lifting the lid on the very real nightmares that could be lurking in your workplace this holiday season.
From ghosts and goblins to bizarre costumes, there’s no shortage of beloved traditions celebrated in late October, but according to etiquette pro Diane Gottsman, there are also some unspoken rules about workplace celebrations that should become part of everyone’s Halloween festivities . .
In the 2004 movie Mean Girls, Cady Haron may have declared October 31st as “the one night of the year where you can dress like a total slut and no other girl can say anything about it” — but those rules don’t apply . to the workplace.
In fact, Diane, the founder of The Protocol School of Texas, says there are some costumes you should save for your friends’ eyes only.
Costumes are a big part of Halloween, but an etiquette expert has warned there are some unspoken rules about what you can and can’t wear during workplace celebrations (stock image)
First of all, Diane recommends not wearing anything that shows too much skin, anything unsavory or simply a costume that is controversial.
“(For example) religious costumes, political figures or cultural stereotypes,” she explained to Fox News Digital.
She added that while a Halloween at work may involve costumes, appropriate work attire should still be worn.
“Making a fool of yourself will negatively affect your reputation far beyond the Halloween party,” Diane said.
“It shows a lack of good judgment and self-control.”
Another important part of Halloween is decorating – which the expert says is perfectly doable, if your workplace allows it and if it’s reasonable.
Diane’s thoughts were echoed by fellow etiquette expert Pamela Eyring – who is also president of The Protocol School of Washington.
Pamela, who lives in Columbia, South Carolina, encouraged revelers to “practice taste above all else.”
The etiquette expert first and foremost recommends not wearing anything that shows too much skin, anything unsavory or simply a costume that is controversial (stock image)
She liked ‘spiders and cobwebs’, but also decorations with witches, broomsticks and ghosts.
However, she strongly advised against doing anything too gruesome, adding: ‘Avoid bloody visualizations or cruel clowns – no one likes them.’
Finally, Pamela said handing out candy is absolutely fine – and encouraged – but make sure it’s done hygienically.
She suggests making sure the candies are individually wrapped to avoid leaving a bowl infested with germs.
And it looks like the controversial Halloween decor is already in full swing across the country.
Recently, Salena Webb, a mother of four from South Carolina, transformed her front yard into a graveyard by filling it with cardboard gravestones, spider webs, and two skeletons holding a coffin, and posting the results to TikTok.
However, her excitement about the spooky day came to a halt when her neighbor’s son approached her and begged her to take down the decorations as his father had just been diagnosed with cancer.
He then asked if Salena would mind removing the ‘box’ so that his father was not constantly reminded of his diagnosis.
The clip then cuts to Salena’s fiancée removing the coffin, as the mother-of-four adds: “We removed it because kindness is free,” with viewers praising the mother-of-four for her actions.
