In big cities like Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and Gurgaon, it is a common practice for office colleagues to go out for drinks after work. These popular ‘team parties’ usually happen when the weekend approaches and the office group hit a pub and drink until late at night. Some employees even drink like a fish and things go out of hand. Here’s an example.
A guy named Caleb Friesen, who is currently living in Bengaluru, took to Twitter to share how he spotted a young man at a bar from a prominent startup choking on his own vomit while the rest of his team partied.
“Reminder to the ‘work hard, party harder’ startup founders out there: no party is worth losing an employee,” he wrote.
Reminder to the "work hard, party harder" startup founders out there: no party is worth losing an employee.
Spotted a young man from a prominent Bengaluru startup choking on his own vomit tonight, face up, alone in a bar, while his team partied. pic.twitter.com/Q0yu09BNV5
— Caleb Friesen (@caleb_friesen2) March 17, 2023
Caleb was at the bar with his wife sitting on the upper floor when he noticed the guy convulsing (violent contraction of the muscles causing the body to jerk). He rushed down and found that the guy luckily had fallen off the couch and was breathing again.
Was sitting on an upper floor with my wife when I noticed him convulsing. Rushed down to the dance floor. Luckily he had already fallen off the couch and was breathing again. Called some of his team to take care of him and said, “Someone needs to keep an eye on him at all times.” pic.twitter.com/rkUDpPVifl
— Caleb Friesen (@caleb_friesen2) March 17, 2023
However, the attitude of his teammates when they got to know what was happening was alarming, to say the least.
The attitude was, “Bro, what a party animal, he’s wasted!”
By the time I had walked back up the stairs to my table, they had moved him to a more secluded spot, away from the dance floor. He was puking again.
Ran back downstairs and explained the severity of the situation. pic.twitter.com/7mZNAOnBPR
— Caleb Friesen (@caleb_friesen2) March 17, 2023
Was able to find team members who were sober and responsible enough to realise he was blackout drunk and likely had alcohol poisoning.
Moral of the story for founders: always send a supervisor who won’t be drinking, to keep an eye on the group and make sure everyone is safe! pic.twitter.com/QCMGUADmB1
— Caleb Friesen (@caleb_friesen2) March 17, 2023
Upon learning about the incident, several people online highlighted the importance of self-control during such parties. Some even slammed this culture of office parties where some employees end up becoming a liability to the rest enjoying their night.
Lost a dear friend last year in the similar instance . The party went until 4am at his own residence & 8.30am we got a call he’s no more.
Famously known as “Tanki” in our group, he drank with no limits…
Just 35 yrs of age & had a 4 year old daughter!
— Tejas Bhatia (@tejasbhatiaa) March 18, 2023
Read a comic about the ghost of a guy who choked on his own vomit and passed away. I was pretty surprised at the storyline but I realise that it might be more common than we’re willing to accept and that it is essential for us to keep our safety in mind when we go out to drinkz
— Sha (@aditi4shasha) March 18, 2023
Most Indians in that age group have very little understanding of alcohol consumption, or even as a group how to help out someone in distress. Total disregard for each other and lack of empathy.
— Nikhil Yelamanchili (@KidCharlemaine) March 18, 2023
This is what is happening everywhere in our country. Nobody gives a damn. Scary. I have lived in mumbai for so many years. Seen it
— Rakeshbajaj (@Rakeshbajaj1000) March 18, 2023
I have had to continually fight strong objections to our company policy of no booze in official parties. This is one reason, but there are others. I keep imagining the worst case scenario in case just one person gets into serious trouble. I must say I am in a hopeless minority.
— Nitin Deshpande (@nitingdeshpande) March 19, 2023
This is really sad. Generally this isn’t the case with big Cs, you always have someone in team to take care of people and ensuring every girl and boy reach home safe after party. Appears start up guys just earn enough that they lost basic humanity
— Nimmi Gill (@Nimratforgill) March 18, 2023
Many office parties involving drinks involve at least one person drinking more than they should. They sound fun to young people but can turn out to be a liability to the company. Companies should rethink their party culture.
— Pankaj (@UchihaCoder) March 18, 2023
There is nothing wrong with grabbing a few drinks with colleagues. What is wrong is drinking irresponsibly and putting your own life in danger.