When we think of outings with our colleagues or our office team, it’s mostly about going to a pub or a bar-cum-restaurant and having drinks. But for somebody who doesn’t drink or smoke, such outings can render meaningless and they might feel out of place.
The Editor-in-Chief of Coinswitch Kuber, Ankit, pointed this out in a tweet. Calling such team outings “unhealthy and expensive”, he asked people online for alternatives.
Really sad how "team outing" has been reduced to going out and drinking alcohol.
It's boring, unhealthy & expensive!
It's worse enough that smokers won't stop passively killing us, but to endure a drinking session…🙄
What are some successful alternatives?
Pls share 🙏 TIA— Ankit.Today (@ankitv) July 14, 2022
And several people online gave wonderful suggestions. Accepting how nowadays, team outings are all about drinking and partying, many suggested going for hikes, go-carting, bowling, or long walks in public parks instead. Some even drew inspiration from their own experiences. Even playing board games seem to be a healthy and fun activity!
It is even sadder for non-smokers and non-drinkers for the amount of mental pressure that they have to face in such so-called outings.
Like, you want to enjoy but others keep telling you that you are not enjoying because it does not fit their definition.
— Aarohy Kapoor (@aarohy_kapoor) July 14, 2022
We recently went on a trek. You can go for bowling if it is a half day outing
— Sanish Jain 🇮🇳 (@sanishjain) July 14, 2022
We all DME senior doctors had a sensory and stimulating walk yesterday to fire up our imaginations and used the freshness of the mind (with some caffeine) to think about new service provisions.@geriatricsdoc @nat_stanley @nayeemk79 @sashnhs @EsashP pic.twitter.com/0wVoF1Y2ws
— Somaditya Bandyopadhyay (@somsuj) July 15, 2022
I can think of a few healthier alternatives
– Meet on a playground and play some sports. Because sports help with building team spirit and coordination
– Go on a trek. It’s really fun and you’ll make great memories
– Go for a zumba / dance workout session. Fun and awesome
— Priyanka Gupta | Veg.Fit | DM for Coaching (@priyankaiitk) July 14, 2022
Home visits & family picnics. What other better way to bond than with families? These are exclusionary tactics
— Kumud Shankar (@KumudShankar) July 14, 2022
We tried creating music and food – the two things that we love – together. (This was in Singapore btw) pic.twitter.com/aMULnVCdtW
— Himanshu Upreti (@HimUpreti) July 14, 2022
A great alternative is to come together as a team and organize a plogging session or spot cleaning or volunteer for a cause.
— Anuradha Parekh (@AnuradhaParekh) July 14, 2022
Team work in an Organic farm can be great for bonding. Add to that the health benefits of physical activity and good air.
— Hari Prasad Nadig (@hpnadig) July 14, 2022
Bowling, Trekking, Going for a fun movie, karaoke, board games, camping, cycling
These are the ones I know work in Bombay.
I’d also prefer axe throwing if there were any spots nearby
— Swapnil Borkar (@swpnlbrkr) July 14, 2022
We recently went to a Sports/Games Arena where we did Go Karting and Bowling. Some others did shooting and other games. Good fun! People participating were up to the age of 50 and a couple of them above.
— P C (@pushkarc20) July 14, 2022
When I was in Lucknow, team outing meant rounding everyone up after the late evening shift and heading to Akbari gate for endless rounds of kebab-paratha at midnight. It was delicious and dirt cheap and the seniormost person paid for everyone. Good times. 😋
— Deepika Singh (@DeepikaLeo) July 15, 2022
1. Go out for a Mystery Room kind of experience. It helps team bonding and an appreciation for each other’s strengths.
2. Go for a potluck picnic. Share personal stories and likes and dislikes. Only home-cooked food allowed, even Maggi or Boiled eggs will do. No alcohol allowed!
— Arpit Agrawal (@arpitagrawal83) July 14, 2022
Play a team sport. Go on a hike. Meet at a pool. Whenever I do meetings, I avoid coffee shops and request the person to meet me for a walk instead.
— Rahul Jagtiani (@RahulJagtiani) July 14, 2022
I would any day choose to play a sport or go for a hike over drinking to build a strong bond with my colleagues. What about you?