Do you feel uneasy when you get a message from work that says 'company get-together tonight'? You may worry they'll pressure you to drink if you go, and feel anxious about being excluded from the team if you don't. ## Why company dinners are still important Company dinners are occasions where personal stories or requests that don't come up in formal meetings are exchanged. Korean workplace culture values trust with superiors and teamwork, so relationships often get built in informal settings. That doesn't mean every company is the same, so check your HR policies. ## Phrases you can use right away 1) Polite refusal sentence: "I can't attend today due to personal reasons." "I'll attend next time." Send it briefly like that. 2) Partial attendance suggestion: Tell them in advance you'll show up for 30 minutes at the start of the dinner and leave early. 3) Safety tip: Firmly refuse if someone offers you alcohol, and arrange your way home (taxi app, a companion) in advance. Even if you decline, showing goodwill during the day—through effort at work or small talk—helps reduce misunderstandings. If you let your team leader or the organizer know your situation in advance, it eases the burden. After refusing, showing sincerity through your work and separately providing any necessary information when you talk makes it easier to maintain the relationship.