Is there a way for me to ‘hire’ a plus one for an event?

[-]

sossighead@reddit

As a rule of thumb I would not recommend hiring an escort for a work event. Just go on your own.

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Kyle_2099@reddit

Those are "escorts", OP. They're very expensive prostitutes.

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Kyle_2099@reddit

A day's wage for anyone is expensive, unless you're a rich person.

[-]

Gym I used to go to in a big town centre hotel all the personal trainers worked as escorts too for rich business men and women in town. No sex (AFAIK) but they did make a good living and get to go see all the shows & nice restaurants.

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blazeofg@reddit

There was sex.

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WayOfTheMandalore@reddit

Only if the price is right.

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SmugDruggler95@reddit

Hence rich businessmen

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TazTazTAZTazTaz_@reddit

It usually is.

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appletinicyclone@reddit

If one pays for the juice there would be a squeeze I'm afraid

[-]

Scottishadventurer@reddit

Which gym would that be? 🤔 ( research purposes only! ;))

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LowAspect542@reddit

Looking to be a client or for a new job?

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Scottishadventurer@reddit

I wanna get wined and dined!

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Past-Obligation1930@reddit

Sometimes they can actually just do the escort thing, I believe.

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FornyHucker22@reddit

may as well pay extra at that point 👀

[-]

baphoboob@reddit

Username checks out

[-]

WGD23@reddit

In for a penny, in for a pound

[-]

Jolly-Ad-8088@reddit

a weak pound

[-]

iamworsethanyou@reddit

What do the global economy and my marital bed have in common?

[-]

Jolly-Ad-8088@reddit

Jacob Rees Mogg?

[-]

eggs_and_ham_i_am@reddit

Any escort that offers the pound for a penny is probably not worth thinking about. 🤢

[-]

Thaedius12@reddit

"If you can find cheaper pussy, fuck it"

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elusivejewdoo@reddit

Apple pie pussy!

[-]

LowAspect542@reddit

It aint a pussy thats gonna be pounding you.

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melonysnicketts@reddit

Pounding*

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cryptonuggets1@reddit

Pounding penny

[-]

Wind-and-Waystones@reddit

The key thing about escorts is that you don't pay for the sex. You pay for the time and "if sex happens then sex happens"

[-]

punflewover@reddit

Username checks out

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Affectionate_You_858@reddit

Thats like having just having a salad at a steakhouse

[-]

EnvironmentalNewt105@reddit

there is a rent a friend website, rentafriend.com . I think i used it for a spanish conversation partner many years ago. try it!

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WittyAssociations@reddit

Can't you take a friend to an event? Or go with another colleague who also doesn't have a date

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Cautious_Reply_3965@reddit

Yes. Search it on internet. There are agencies where you can hire women to accompany you to where you want to go.

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EntirelyRandom1590@reddit

A second date with someone you met online is marginally better than an escort. Just a tad.

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g1hsg@reddit

I went on a third date to my works Christmas do with a girl I'd just met in 1990

[-]

EntirelyRandom1590@reddit

And now you're expecting to welcome your first grandchild?

[-]

g1hsg@reddit

We've already got two

[-]

EntirelyRandom1590@reddit

So the Christmas party was a success!

Out of interest, how did you arrange the first date? The reason I ask is that back in the day you had some connection to most people you dated, maybe not if you met them on the town, but certainly if you met them at a party or locally or work.

Meeting people online you're kind of taking pot luck sometimes.

[-]

g1hsg@reddit

I'd seen her around as we lived quite close and we sometimes caught the same bus. One day she was reading a book about walking the West Highland Way - which I had done the previous year, so I started a conversation. From what our daughters tell me it's mostly a complete nightmare online these days.

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AltruisticBread6940@reddit

Showing up alone will be a million times better than showing up with an escort

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audigex@reddit

But neither would be as good as turning up with half a dozen very obvious escorts, while dressed as a pimp

[-]

Salt_Bison7839@reddit

Pimpin' ain't easy

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Ok_Young1709@reddit

I wish I could give you an award 😂

[-]

cold_tap_hot_brew@reddit

Reminds me on Billy Girls in Ally McBeal

[-]

Dazz316@reddit

Better yet...

Video

[-]

audigex@reddit

No no, that's more or less exactly what I was suggesting

[-]

OctoberRust6666@reddit

👏👏👏👏👏👏😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[-]

OctoberRust6666@reddit

This is a killer😭😭😭😭😭😭🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂

[-]

SpackleSloth@reddit

Bonus bonus points

https://youtube.com/shorts/ZMG59k6qGag?si=j1ivtR0YWQXibmJ8

[-]

ttrsphil@reddit

I’m paying for them if I can attend and watch this u fold

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zukerblerg@reddit

this is the way

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koloqial@reddit

I dunno, the fiesta is a good choice too. If you really want to impress, go for the focus.

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TheMonkeyInCharge@reddit

That was a capri joke mate.

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Hame_Impala@reddit

Definitely. People go to formal events alone all the time. Nobody will ask and when everyone's pissed they won't care.

[-]

Curious_Ad3766@reddit

I mean i would go (as a friend/pretend date) for free lol. I love dressing up, attending social events and meeting new people. And who would say no to free food and drinks

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Single_Pollution_468@reddit

Baller move though 😅

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Wise_Industry3953@reddit

If you happened to know a chill escort, there’s nothing wrong with hooking her up with a gig, but man I’d really think twice about hiring someone in that line of work who you don’t know…

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FunkCityband@reddit

My friend worked for an agency In London called something like 'Non sexual escort agency' for exactly this reason. Where is the event? There are definitely ways to find people who will join you for the evening in a professional way That doesn't involve anything you don't want to do.

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Think_Preference_611@reddit

That's why they're called "escorts" mate. You pay for the arm candy at the event, and a pleasant end to the evening afterwards.

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NoiseLikeADolphin@reddit

I feel if you go on dating apps and say ‘looking for a +1 to an event, I’m paying!’, your chances of finding someone are non-zero.

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7DeadlyFrenchmen@reddit

Had to scroll far too far to see an actual suggestion. OP didn’t ask “would I be ok to go alone”, they asked how to bring a plus one. It’s all well and good saying they’d be fine going alone, but it would be helpful for us to all answer the actual question too.

So back to the suggestions: yes dating app is an option. Or social groups - there are singles/solo events you could go to/join to meet someone, and if you get on reasonably well as friends, invite them.

It’s not super relevant in this case, but there’s a “rescue party” Facebook group for when lots of people drop out of or don’t attend weddings, the bride and groom will invite others to fill the room and support them. It’s also led to lots of hen parties for people who don’t have a supportive social network. There might be something like that for events in your area? Even though it’s not wedding related, I bet people would come if you said when/where.

Or try a local Reddit sub, throw a post out and see what happens. Pre-meet them first. Or go to a Volunteer group, chat with a few people, and if you get on with anyone, see if they fit the bill.

Essentially I’m saying there are lots of ways to go about this without necessarily paying. I don’t know if “friends for hire” is a thing (without it being linked to prostitution) but there are definitely other options.

[-]

DIKB3RT@reddit

Bit awkward if a colleague sees it

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Prestigious_Seal@reddit

Might get a weirdo though, who you wouldn't want to take to a work event.

OP should just go alone, it's not a big deal at all

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keishajay@reddit

As a weirdo, I am offended lol

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ShadowBannedSkyRu1e@reddit

I’ll go, if it’s less embarrassing. Only £20 a hour, no touching though

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minipainteruk@reddit

Surely it's okay to go alone? Not everyone is partnered and partners can't always make events. I've never judged any colleagues for not bringing a partner anywhere.

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smell_a_vision@reddit

I’m not digging up my wife just to drag her to a work event. Everyone has a reason for going alone!

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Effective-Bad-2657@reddit (OP)

The thing is, people who don’t have partners are bringing their family members, which isn’t possible for me either. I should’ve clarified in the main post that this isn’t a relationship issue, more of a lack of any general one for that matter

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Amazing-Heron-105@reddit

What kinda weird setup is this where you're expected to bring a family member?

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PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit

I would not be taking family members to my work events.

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DenM0ther@reddit

Some companies (American IME) have ‘family days’.

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bubblechog@reddit

In the before times my husbands US company had a family fun day every summer at a Summer camp with loads of activities and food. It was fun and not very culty.

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MeableFussock@reddit

I worked in the US for a while and the boss said to me after a few weeks “we’ve got a cookout this weekend, everybody is bringing their families, you should come along”.

Obviously I had many questions, but the long and short of it was that at the weekend, they expected workers to go to a bbq in the office grounds. It blew my mind.

Do that stuff during the office hours and I’ll be there!

[-]

bubblechog@reddit

My husbands company gave the kids a $50 Amazon gift card, had a bunch of giveaways and the summer camp they hired had a lot of activities that it would have usually cost an arm and a leg to do so it wasn’t just showing up to the office for a couple of burgers and a warm sprite.

[-]

vectorology@reddit

Yeah, family days at work were just about having kids activities. Never did I feel like I needed to rent “family” to attend. It’s never been weird that I attended work events solo - I’m not sure I ever have brought a partner. But I’m the type who goes to weddings, etc, solo rather than drag a date to an event he doesn’t know anyone at.

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DEADB33F@reddit

It was fun and not very culty.

That's exactly what someone who had been indoctrinated into a cult would say.

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zagblorg@reddit

I got taken to a few of those as a kid, always for big American companies my dad's company was working with.

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VincentVan_Dough@reddit

The very American company I worked for had a Family Day. But it was really Kid Day. The large meeting rooms were combined by pushing aside the wall dividers and made into a giant soft play room with a bouncy castle, slides and toys. A whole-ass volunteer committee organised food, entertainers, activities and became babysitters for a day. Parents would bring their kids into work and drop them off at the room. The kids were entertained, fed, given a factory tour and brought to their parents work areas so they could see Mum/Dad in action. All the parents came down to eat lunch with their kids. Very wholesome and un-cultlike.

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Stressy_messy_me@reddit

I used to work for a finance company that would have a family christmas eve afternoon. Everyone would bring their families in, there was a raffle and a bit of a party before finishing early. It was quite nice!

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Affectionate_You_858@reddit

I used to work for a big company that did this every year

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Elahgee@reddit

Growing up in Australia, my Dad worked for a big company that would have huge family days for the whole company. One year they reserved a whole theme park for the day! As a kid, it was awesome!

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PrometheusZero@reddit

I got this advertised to me when I went to interview at T-SYS, the American card processing company. Sounded like a cult.

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Fancy-Professor-7113@reddit

I took my very Yorkshire dad to the Brit Awards, it was comedy gold.

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BigRedS@reddit

My wife has worked for a while in and around TV and sports, there's been a few family days at the sports events that've been really good, spending time in and around the hospitality at the venues. I could well-understand someone who isn't great friends with anyone at work then feeling awkward about going to that sort of an event alone; it is a lot of families-meeting-families.

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Buddy-Matt@reddit

I wouldn't even take my wife.

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fastdub@reddit

I'd take my dad, he alone would end that policy in one event

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DanielReddit26@reddit

Depends on the event, I suppose!

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JennyW93@reddit

My mum recently got a job at my workplace and I wouldn’t even take her

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philff1973@reddit

😆

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ImDankest@reddit

They're not expected to. OP is just overthinking this

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Wolfdreama@reddit

My husband's very British company has a family day ever summer. BBQ, music etc. You're expected to bring spouses, kids etc. but it would be slightly odd to bring any other family members.

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boredsittingonthebus@reddit

Mr Burns has invited the staff to his mansion and OP needs someone to do the couples sack race with them.

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YQB123@reddit

My old company did this. Was owned by an American company until 5 years before, and I guess they continued the tradition.

Outdoor BBQ. Games for the kids. Thing I was billed as 'Family Day'. I didn't have ambition to get promoted there so just 'worked' those days.

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Ghosts_and_Empties@reddit

You sure about that?

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Interesting_iidea@reddit

No friends?

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chloedarlinggg@reddit

Not even a friend?

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SwedishLenn@reddit

What type of weird work party is this, or is your work the church?

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CongealedBeanKingdom@reddit

Do you have any friends? Can you bring one of them?

I'll go, but I'd want paying. Im pretty though. Well, I was 25 years ago.

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MuttonBaby@reddit

I laughed out loud at this, so relatable. Source: Am also an ex-pretty.

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CongealedBeanKingdom@reddit

My face is starting to melt

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MuttonBaby@reddit

Same. At least I'm no longer a twat, I guess that's got to count for something.

[-]

CongealedBeanKingdom@reddit

I, however, am still going strong.

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ChoppingOnionsForYou@reddit

I was, maybe 35 years ago. Maybe I should rent myself out as a little old lady with fun conversation for functions. Much less drama, many more biscuits, and a little crochet thrown in for good measure. I could even drive, and stay sober. Wow! I'm such a good deal!

[-]

mronion82@reddit

There's a Saki story where an older woman is hired to make a summer at a country house go well by being rude and disagreeable, thereby uniting all the other guests in hatred of her.

That's my retirement plan.

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CongealedBeanKingdom@reddit

You sound mint. We should go for tea and crocheting together

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vectorology@reddit

I would 100% park myself up by you to hear all the gossip, real or invented. Old people are much more fun than drunk youngsters.

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ChoppingOnionsForYou@reddit

And, given my misspent youth (not too mention my misspent old age), I could drive people to the evening as pillion on my motorbike. That'd get chins wagging! Instant conversation starter!

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ShowmasterQMTHH@reddit

So people will think it's weird that you being a complete stranger to the event. Go on your own and just be yourself, 100%if given the choice of bringing my partner to work things, or going solo, I'm going solo.

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Honey-Badger@reddit

I can't understand why you think taking a random isn't going to backfire in this scenario

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Tattycakes@reddit

Yeah, what the hell do you say when they ask you who your +1 is, you wouldn’t know anything about them

[-]

Pleasant-Plane-6340@reddit

Make a good movie tho, like with title in red comic sans. Maybe OP is an uptight white guy and his hired platonic date turns out to be Eddie Murphy

[-]

Neither_Process_7847@reddit

Even then, struggle to believe none of your other colleagues will be without family who can make it. Works where loads of people meet their significant others in the first place - you're very unlikely to be the only singleton present let alone to be judged for it!

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CaptainVXR@reddit

Unless you're in a tiny workplace, there'll be people who are immigrants, or just from another part of the country, who are single and don't have immediate family living nearby.

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Every_Club2125@reddit

Wife can't make it, so bring your Mom. What?

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probablyaythrowaway@reddit

Could you not just bring a friend?

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Unhappy_Dragonfly_62@reddit

Take a friend? Unless you don’t have friends either

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Winston_Carbuncle@reddit

Is it a free bar? I'll come with you if it is

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Significant_Hope7555@reddit

Take a friend

[-]

minipainteruk@reddit

Ah, I understand. You just want someone to take!

You can try something like rentafriend (but you are essentially hiring a stranger and it may be obvious to others that you don't really know each other).

However, i think it's still absolutely OK to go to a work event alone! Sometimes people can't make it, or family members don't want to come.

[-]

neo101b@reddit

I'm game, Ill dress up as a weird gay Jester, like Rentaghost. /s

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laidback_chef@reddit

Do you not have a friend you could take for the bantz.

[-]

gracklemancometh@reddit

Fuck it, we ball.

I'll do it. I want travel expenses paying, access to any bars and/or buffets, and no kissing.

[-]

GwdihwFach@reddit

I just wanted to say, although you may feel alone in this you really aren't. There are loads of us in a similar boat. I don't know if that helps or is just waffle, I just wanted you to know you aren't pitiable, and your situation is unfortunate, but doesn't determine your worth.

[-]

fastdub@reddit

Hire a clown

[-]

smickie@reddit

What sort of event is it where somebody always has to bring someone? If that is the case, maybe just a friend would be best, someone you can just chat to. BBF is better than an escort imo.

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Prudent-Pressure2146@reddit

I don’t have any family I could take to an event either, it’s not as embarrassing or massively unusual as you think. Don’t take an escort, that is a silly idea.

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MissingBothCufflinks@reddit

"I didn't want to" is fine

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Mister_Sith@reddit

There was a pretty infamous legalsdviceUK post where a guy missed out on a promotion for failing to bring a plus one to a works event so, at least in some circles, it is a requirement for some jobs.

[-]

meadowender@reddit

I was in a job a few years ago where there was the annual xmas dinner plus something like gokarts or bowling. In 6 years I attended precisely zero, just because I didn't want to. I made it clear to the boss that it wasn't personal, I just don't like those sorts of things. They brought it up as one of the reasons when they let me go. Not a team player etc

[-]

Mister_Sith@reddit

I mean, it sounds like you don't like your collegues. That does generally weird people out. We've had a few people who never came to work events and surprise surprise, they don't stick around very long or are not particular well liked.

I'm in a very heavy stakeholder engagement role and we're all generally pretty social. If we had someone who doesn't like people and didnt do work events, etc... well I don't think they'd last long.

[-]

meadowender@reddit

Same as any other job there were people who I got on with really well and others not so much. If I don't want to go for a xmas meal then I'm not going, it's that simple. If attendance is compulsory then pay me to be there, if not, respect my decision. We aren't all the same

[-]

Affectionate_You_858@reddit

Yeah, it very much gets frowned upon. I used to get told when I mentioned maybe not attending "just play the game"

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meadowender@reddit

The way I look at it, rightly or wrongly, is that I already spend 40 hours doing what they want me to do, don't infringe on my time unless you're paying me. Plus at that job the meal was usually at a pub right across the road from work, so it meant leaving work, going home to shower and change then driving back to work to sit all night without a drink

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Affectionate_You_858@reddit

My issue was i had lots of friends and the work things were normally a Friday were i wanted to go out with my friends. Whenever they had events during work hours, I was there with bells on

[-]

Think_Shelter_9251@reddit

Maybe he’s doing the first task at the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts?

[-]

SpudFire@reddit

That was the dragon task. Not sure how taking a +1 to that will help unless they're planning to sacrifice their partner

[-]

_methuselah_@reddit

https://rentafriend.com

[-]

YarrowOn@reddit

Thank you for actually answering OP's question!

[-]

Iammildlyoffended@reddit

There’s a Facebook group called The Rescue Party on Your Special Day! UK Based.

It’s a group where people can find additional guests or people for hen parties etc.

Pop a post on there and I’m sure you’ll find someone to go with you.

[-]

YarrowOn@reddit

Thank you for actually answering OP's question!

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Melodic-Donut8140@reddit

This is a very bad idea. I once went to a works do where this one bloke did what you're planning on doing. Works events last for hours. Within the first three, we had all worked out that he had hired a plus one. It was kind of inevitable. He didn't show up for another shift. I actually felt awful for him and all the horrible things people said about him.

Fake an illness and don't attend would be my advice.

[-]

franki-pinks@reddit

I’ll go with you! I don’t want paying I just like social events lol. 42 f Nottingham, married but my husband won’t mind.

[-]

LunchLiving9165@reddit

I’ll do it for a tenner

[-]

gr7calc@reddit

Where do you live? I'll go with you for a pint. I can pretend to be your brother or lover, whichever you prefer.

[-]

vassyz@reddit

Let's all go with OP!

[-]

BlueFox789@reddit

Where are you based? I am in Kent

[-]

Danibanz@reddit

I'm in north london. Happy to go

[-]

notreallyplainjane@reddit

Yeah I said up there I will go for a free food. Take all of us with you, OP 🤣 (I’m a woman btw)

[-]

keishajay@reddit

This is the thread I was hoping to see…

[-]

Evening-Manner9709@reddit

Brother lover

[-]

PerformerOk450@reddit

Have you seen the film Office Christmas Party ?

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1711525/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

[-]

Ill-Cauliflower-25@reddit

I might be free, is it a black tie event?

[-]

notreallyplainjane@reddit

If there is a free food I’ll go with you for free, also I’m extroverted and love dressing up and go out 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[-]

TheAngryBad@reddit

Life is not a sitcom plot (although it's increasingly feeling like it these days). Don't get yourself tangled up in some farcical plot just to try and prove something nobody likely cares about anyway.

You're single and that's fine. This isn't the 1950s where you're expected to be married and starting a family at twenty. Go there alone, be single and be proud of it. You might be in the minority, but I guarantee you won't be the only one.

[-]

happybaby00@reddit

being single can fuck you networking opportunities and promotion chances.

[-]

snakeoildriller@reddit

Yeah! I who knows, OP might meet another single there and it could be the start of a beautiful friendship.

[-]

gracklemancometh@reddit

And if people are bringing family as well as/instead of spouses there's a decent chance of meeting a nice brother or GILF (I don't know what OP's into) who's come as a +1.

Pretending to be in a relationship is a pretty great way to stay single.

[-]

TemplarCrusade@reddit

Do you avoid the toilet at work incase they think you are having a shit?

"I don't need someone to hold my hand" "I asked the wife but she didn't want to spend that much time with any of you"

[-]

Fine_Appointment4908@reddit

Just say you want a brass lad

[-]

Good_Albatross@reddit

Message me I’ll come 🫶

[-]

Critical-Thing-4694@reddit

I’ll come if you need someone. As a bonus, I am awkward as fuck, so at every future event people will understand why you didn’t want to bring me again.

[-]

Even-Presentation@reddit

Haha brilliant reply

[-]

Alibali77@reddit

Where abouts? I'm down for a free party 😂

[-]

Fast_Balance1056@reddit

Just fucking own it man

[-]

timiny74@reddit

Fly in one of those companions from Japan 🙂

[-]

YorkshireMary@reddit

You can but isn't there someone known to you who'll go?

I went on my own to my friends 70th and I felt like crying. I didn't even want a partner, a female friend would have done but the location was not suitable.

[-]

Special_Artichoke@reddit

I'll do it, £10 now and £10 after the event

[-]

RandomPotato931@reddit

I'm sure if you post your predicament on one of your social media pages, there would be people offering to accompany you just out of kindness not because they are getting paid to

[-]

8football@reddit

Get the hottest escorts with the biggest jugs. Fill your boots have a great night and let everyone know the following morning you dumped her cos she couldn't keep up. Stud.

[-]

Impossible-Shine-439@reddit

How much you paying?

[-]

Decent_Confidence_36@reddit

What’s your rate?? I’m interested

[-]

morriganscorvids@reddit

escort services. most are regular polite people. you can hire one for a date/plus one only, no need to do anything after

[-]

el-destroya@reddit

I used to do this kind of work, it's no big deal. I'd recommend having a look on seeking arrangement, pick a girl who's got a brain in her head and go with it. Over explaining who/how/why is what makes it obvious, just pick someone where they could reasonably be "just a lass your seeing" and leave it at that.

[-]

rory1815@reddit

Bring a friend. Female or male as company if not comfortable going along. Or don’t go if not company with any of the above

[-]

Marvel--Jesus@reddit

Don't. Just don't.

[-]

Odd-Abroad-270@reddit

Find an escort. Do it for the plot.

[-]

individualcoffeecake@reddit

It’s actually pretty common, and you should do it, flex on them.

[-]

geeroseworld@reddit

are you looking for a woman? I'll come to a random event! sounds fun

[-]

Bubblegum2515@reddit

Where is it? I'll join you for free love meeting new people

[-]

anxious_antelope813@reddit

Would taking a friend be an option? If not, go on your own - I absolutely guarantee that not everyone there will have someone with them, and regardless, you'll find people to socialise with. I have been to many weddings where someone was single/on their own, I know it feels difficult but in the nicest possible way, nobody there is going to care.

[-]

bakingsupreme@reddit

What approx age are you (i.e. what age of accompanying person would cause least comment) and roughly where in the country is the event? Who knows, a fellow Redditor might be up for some free food and a laugh

[-]

Fuzzy-Telephone8569@reddit

I’d go with you just for the fun if I could bring my bf and we go as your friends 😂

[-]

hallerz87@reddit

In what world is being single humiliating? The only person at this event who cares is you. Hiring an escort would be pitiable.

[-]

talkative_parrot25@reddit

Do you have a friend that would be your plus one? I would happily go as a plus one for any of my friends if they needed it

[-]

imitsi@reddit

These sites are not sex escorts; they’re for companions to events: RentAFriend, Plus One Concierge, BlindDatings “Rent A Friend”, Huggles & Cuddles Event Companionship, Dukes of Daisy Rent a Friend.

But, as others said, it’s not shameful in any way to go there by yourself. In fact, it makes you slightly cooler than the guys who are going with their wife or girlfriend.

[-]

WishboneCrazy9289@reddit

You like Bukowski, I’ll come with you

[-]

cooperatefairy@reddit

Aslong as you are not a weirdo i will do it for the plot. Life is to be experienced!!

[-]

Dull_Feeling4815@reddit

I will come, I was pretty in the early 2000s, but I can make good chat and won't embarrass you! Honestly, don't overthink it, just try a rental friend - I want to hear how it goes!

[-]

Dull_Feeling4815@reddit

Hire someone, they wont all be obvious escorts! I don't think it should be that taboo to be honest.

Your life isn't pitiable, it sounds like you have a good job!

[-]

OkScholar5964@reddit

Yes, look for 'mystery guest' services

[-]

doepfersdungeon@reddit

You need therapy , not a date

[-]

Which_Implement8952@reddit

I’m sure a bunch us would go with you

[-]

ChangingMonkfish@reddit

Honestly, if you don’t have an actual partner to take with you, would be weirder to just take someone else for the sake of it.

Go on your own and enjoy the freedom you’ll have that the other people with a +1 won’t.

I also doubt you’ll be literally the only one without a +1, and even if you are, no one will care.

[-]

Loosee123@reddit

Can you just invite a friend as a plus one?

[-]

Ordinary_Extent_5974@reddit

I’ll come

[-]

apathetic-panda@reddit

You could just say on a dating app this is what you're looking for, I'd absolutely accompany someone to something for the plot / free food.

[-]

Ok-Bad-7189@reddit

OP is a troll or an idiot.

[-]

srogijogi@reddit

Ok, so how are you going to introduce your "one night plus one" to people you work with? Yo guys! This is Samantha, I pay her £199ph to be here with me? Or maybe your intentions are to lie? If that's the case, how Samantha will know what to say without ruining your career?

[-]

super_starmie@reddit

In Japan they have services were you can hire people to pretend to be your boyfriend/girlfriend, parent, etc but I've never heard of it here

[-]

PhysicsForeign1634@reddit

Maybe someone else will turn up alone? Your +1 could put them off you!

[-]

Competitive_Test6697@reddit

So you want all your colleagues to find out you hired a person for the night? Because bring someone from thin air is noticeable and getting a story straight.

Just ask a friend. Or really check if everyone is bringing someone.

[-]

TheSpaceFace@reddit

One thing I’ve learned in life, is that the times you try and deceive people and think you got away with it. Those people knew instantly you were deceiving them. Turns out people are very good at detecting bullshit.

It’s always best to be honest and true to yourself, people work out bullshit from tiny body language cues we all don’t realise we give off.

[-]

mata_dan@reddit

I've also learned people will imagine they've detected bullshit when there's nothing going on at all to detect, and you have no idea 90% of the time.

[-]

Dogstile@reddit

Me rn. I've been busy for 3 weekends and i've just blocked someone who got it in their head that they could try and make me feel bad for "ghosting them" (we are not dating, we are supposedly friends).

Apparently I was lying about... being busy for 3 weekends in a row? Ain't got time for that shit, lol

[-]

DustierAndRustier@reddit

I don’t think “just ask a friend” is helpful advice since they clearly don’t have any.

[-]

Competitive_Test6697@reddit

What was your advice?

[-]

DustierAndRustier@reddit

Go alone or don’t go.

[-]

Competitive_Test6697@reddit

But they could have friends

[-]

ZestyData@reddit

didn't get great GCSEs back in the day did ya

[-]

Competitive_Test6697@reddit

Never sat them.

[-]

mailywhale@reddit

Why would they have posted this if that was the case? And why wouldn’t anyone be so stupid not to already have thought of this if it was possible?

[-]

DustierAndRustier@reddit

They’ve pretty much stated in the post and comments that they don’t have anyone. I’m assuming that includes family, friends or a partner.

[-]

detinUi@reddit

Sometimes stupid advice is better untold

[-]

Chemical-Lettuce2497@reddit

Cracking, bet he didn't think of that! Probably makes more sense to ask his wife though

[-]

TheShepherdKing@reddit

If he's doing that, he might as well take his kids along too.

[-]

Maleficent_Cheek_380@reddit

They call those escorts

[-]

No-Emergency3302@reddit

Try seeking.com

[-]

skufsi@reddit

Hey mate, if this is in London, I'd be happy to take you. 32M, very social, will pretend to be your friend from uni if you'd like.

[-]

calapuno1981@reddit

Ask a friend?

[-]

MisterMackerel420@reddit

Download hinge and say you need a plus one, might be a bit cheaper than hiring an escort

[-]

ManofScience123@reddit

Go alone. You might pull?

[-]

Snoo-67164@reddit

This isn't pitiable at all!! Firstly, are you sure no one else at all will be solo? Last minute illness/emergency, childcare issues, living far from family? Make sure you wear a comfortable outfit and arrive early so you can join other groups early on. Are you close enough to anyone at work to let them know you're going solo, a bit nervous about it and would love someone to stick with? (You may be giving someone's exhausted spouse a convenient reason for them to decline!) Can you give your boss a heads-up that you're going to be solo, and you're wondering if that's common/OK? If these feel uncomfortable, can you research other people who will be attending, and maybe send a few a quick message saying you'll also be there and you'd love to chat about topic X. This is assuming it's a networking type of event. Does it have to be a family member? If not, do you have professional connections (mentors/mentees?) who'd appreciate the plus-one, if appropriate?

[-]

Consistent_Pay5371@reddit

Bro, you feel embarrassed going alone, but will hire an escort to go with you. I literal rando who might turn out to be crazy and announce to the entire event she is in fact an escort. You need to check yourself son. Just go solo.

[-]

PastelDictator@reddit

Try setting up a Bumble Friends account to look for someone to invite?

[-]

GM_Rod@reddit

You could hire an escort for this. However you have to choose very carefully, it would need to be one that doesn’t seem like an escort. She can’t be too hot or it’ll be obvious. Can’t be vulgar, can’t dress too revealing, has to be able to hold a conversation at your level. It would need to be someone you would actually date, other than the fact she’s an escort. This is incredibly hard to find, of course. Good luck!

[-]

CCSSJJ@reddit

Never brung a family member to a work event, why would you need to? Surely everyone at the company isn’t married or with someone. Just hang around with the more friendly work colleagues or show your face for 30 mins and then make your excuses and leave 🤷🏻

[-]

speckledchickhen@reddit

Just be suddenly struck down by food poisoning or a migraine. As it’s not a work day no one will care if you’re not there.

[-]

prawnhead@reddit

I love reddit

[-]

Hairy_Relationship28@reddit

fuck it i’ll do it, pay for my train fare and a glass of wine and i will be ur long lost cousin or something

[-]

RollOk6411@reddit

I’m bored and I’ll come for free 🤣 dm me

[-]

Dialgax@reddit

I’ll come if you’re Gloucestershire based. I’m outgoing enough

[-]

Hertfordgal@reddit

Why is it humiliation to be a happy single person? I really don’t get your mentality

[-]

lorl3ss@reddit

I'll go with you OP. I can be your cousin Vinny. I'll do a bad italian accent, be very expressive and be overly touchy with everyone i meet. It'll be great.

[-]

Jolly-Ad-8088@reddit

Invite your granny.

[-]

VincentVan_Dough@reddit

Just go solo. I was single for years and would usually gather the singletons in the office and grab a table to sit together. For family type events, I very much enjoyed being Cool Aunty, playing with the kids and being babysitter to give the harassed parents a break.

[-]

DingoBingoWimbo@reddit

Stop being autistic, just go by yourself

[-]

TheViscountRang@reddit

If OP wants to hire a shag, let OP hire a shag 🤷

[-]

Aggressive_Value4437@reddit

My office does an annual Christmas party and everyone can bring a plus one. Usually people bring their partner but I bring along a friend or go alone. Most people who don’t bring a partner also do the same. It’s totally fine either way, no one will judge you and it’s not like you’ll feel lonely, because you know your colleagues! I would definitely be more likely to remember someone for bringing an escort than if they came to the event solo.

[-]

Sinnistrall@reddit

One of the software developers at work turned up to the Christmas party with a very attractive woman, who he had never mentioned before.

Everyone in the office knew it was an escort, and it was the leading topic of conversation on Monday morning.

It's just not worth it OP. Even if nobody says anything, they all know.

[-]

Deagostini@reddit

Not all escorts look like Victoria’s Secret models dude. Stop freaking him out. He should just hire a girl that looks like someone he would like in real, regular life and say his friend thought they would get on and set them up and they thought it would be funny to do the first date at the Xmas party. Or something. Always involve the audience with the realities of your predictions because if the holes are already exposed it’s hard to poke more lol

[-]

Sinnistrall@reddit

I really don't agree. Taking an escort, whatever they look like, to a work event is a fucking awful idea.

[-]

Extension_Willow_966@reddit

Hi mate, depending on where it is I will go with you. I’m decent arm candy when I scrub up well!

[-]

Mammoth-Ad-562@reddit

‘Saw it in TV’

Change the post to ‘I want to hire an escort, do you think anyone at the function will know’

[-]

bibonacci2@reddit

Go alone and fuck off when you’re ready. Best of both worlds.

[-]

Beginning-Bath-6661@reddit

Might be worth trying on bumble bff and explain on your profile. Cool wee side quest for someone.

[-]

undercovergloss@reddit

Why would you risk turning up with someone (that you’re paying for their service) - when weddings are the prime hotspot to meet single people. You could meet the love of your life there, but not if you’re turning up with someone pretending to be your partner.

I promise, there are many people going alone. And you will look a lot better being genuinely yourself than be awkward and get stuck in a lie when introducing your ‘friend’. Go alone, meet new people and enjoy yourself

[-]

GoatMonkeyy@reddit

I had a black tie event I had to attend for work once that had a plus one invitation. I just asked on my Facebook if anyone fancied a posh night out and open bar. Had plenty of people offer to come and took an old friend from school in the end that I hadn't seen in 10 years!

[-]

Pioneerz90@reddit

Just get a few drinks down you before you go and you'll be fine. I spend more of the night walking about solo talking shit to people after a few drinks, even if I'm technically with people lol.

[-]

BroodLord1962@reddit

Yeah they are called escorts. Not all escorts are sex workers

[-]

Educational-Angle717@reddit

Why can't you go on your own? Even people who do have partners won't all bring them...

[-]

games247_co_uk@reddit

Take a friend, its an excuse for a night out... At worst, go alone but don't hire an escort, it would be suuuuper obvious that they don't know you and will only make things worse/more awkward.

[-]

pwuk@reddit

Out of work actor?

[-]

wildflower12345678@reddit

Go on your own mate, own it, do not be embarrassed. Enjoy the event.

[-]

Spottyjamie@reddit

Its not the 80s/early 90s any more but yes you can still hire escorts for these occasions

Id go alone

[-]

Snaggl3t00t4@reddit

Wasn't this a plot line in big bang theory and Wolowitz?

[-]

Past_Negotiation_121@reddit

Are you a footballer going to the World Cup? That's the only work event where a WAG is required.

[-]

missmackattack@reddit

I’ve been to tons of work events solo where others had partners etc there - it’s totally fine and normal. It can feel awkward getting chatting to people at first but you get into the swing of it and it’ll be miles less anxiety inducing than making conversation with a stranger while thinking about a cover story for your mystery guest.

[-]

Serious-Bid3388@reddit

Get on hinge and just say you’re explicitly looking for a plus 1 for an event, lots will be happy to help. Say you’re willing to do the driving etc just don’t want to show up alone. Everyone likes a wedding!

[-]

LeadershipPerfect985@reddit

You’ve reached the right audience I’m poor and decently attractive. Where are you based?

[-]

cfehunter@reddit

That's literally an escort.

if you really can't show up alone, ask a family member or friend?

[-]

PoolRamen@reddit

Dont do this unless you can afford to hire an actual celeb

[-]

ScaredyCatUK@reddit

Make it weird, take your mum.

[-]

Single_Pollution_468@reddit

Where are you based? I’ll go with you and we’ll get on the pints

[-]

Waste_Locksmith_4299@reddit

Just go alone and be proud of who you are. If people want to judge you for being single then they can eff off can't they?

[-]

OddPerspective9833@reddit

So you could get an escort. But you could also go alone and I'm almost certain nobody would think twice about it

[-]

Agile_Change_884@reddit

You might find the love of your life there, my rule is always do your hair and put aftershave on as you’ll never know who you’ll bump into on your travels 🤣

[-]

Kvark33@reddit

If you show up to your work event, after never mentioning a partner or a date, and you show up with an escort (who may look out of your league no offence) that is going to raise for eyebrows and chit chat than if you just rock up alone. You do you

[-]

DEADB33F@reddit

Can you take a friend with you?

[-]

Usual_Cryptographer3@reddit

There are A LOT worse things people can do at a work party than turning up alone!

[-]

GiveYouNothing92@reddit

Yeah there's definitely a way 😂

[-]

Subject-Blueberry-55@reddit

OP, I have no answer but please update us. With all the comments I've read, I'm invested now 😂.

[-]

Iamthe0c3an2@reddit

Hell, if you just want a friend to come with I’d do it for petrol money.

[-]

Spare_Airport_6002@reddit

I'm assuming you're male - do you really not have a single female friend in your life? I struggle to believe this. Or is the issue that you don't think they're hot enough to accompany you?

[-]

ode-to-tiny-cucumber@reddit

Come on, what's wrong with am the commenters here trying to convince them to go alone? Haven't you heard about Shoji Morimoto, the "Rental Do Nothing Man"? I am sure you'd find someone in your local boardgame/gardening/... group who would play your cousin and would have a blast, even just for the irony of it.

[-]

heheredbull@reddit

I’ve always wondered this too, but as somebody who’d love to be the hired person! I LOVE weddings, parties and meeting new people so this is honestly my ideal way to make money!

[-]

Ok-Rain6295@reddit

Well, there’s escorts but a good one will cost you a lot. Like £200+ an hour most likely.

You’re best off going alone. There’s no shame in being single!

[-]

elmo_touches_me@reddit

Being single isn't "humiliating", it's normal for someone of any age. Relationships aren't mandatory.

Taking someone as your +1 who isn't a long-term partner is going to be a lot weirder than just going alone.

You are single, so own it.

[-]

Arabellaa2026@reddit

I’ve never taken anyone from my personal life to a work event. Surely not all of your colleagues are taking someone? Can you not just go with a colleague? Going on your own is also fine, you can show up, mingle with some of your colleagues, and then just leave when you’ve had enough. Or, if you don’t want to go, just don’t go.

[-]

PreviousTree763@reddit

Why is it humiliating to go alone?

[-]

Crichtenasaurus@reddit

Go it alone, back in the day this would be considered an opportunity.

Who knows might meet someone that if you had a very or not very attractive escort on your arm you would never have spoken to.

[-]

WildWanderingRedHead@reddit

Can i just say how empowering it is to go somewhere alone, confidentally? Do it.

[-]

theonlysamintheworld@reddit

I’ll do it!

[-]

lithiumcentury@reddit

I wouldn't care about going on my own under most circumstances, but there are times when other (idiot) work colleagues can make fun of you being on your own - which would be way way worse with an escort (everyone wouod know for sure) - to the point where it can impact your standing at work. In that case the best solution is to not go due to, for example: food poisoning, serious illness of a relative etc.

[-]

RaggedToothRat@reddit

Find the local subreddit for the area your work event is taking place in. Make a post saying you're looking for a platonic +1 for a work event. If you're allowed multiple invites, then I'd suggest accepting multiple because things are less awkward in a small group of strangers than one on one. Maybe include a line about your approximate age and interests; it's more likely a friend group would be similar ages or have a shared hobby. I'm sure people would offer to go for a night out, especially if there's free food and drink involved. Don't mention paying them unless you're offering to cover their parking fees/ train ticket/ hotel room if the event ends late.

[-]

fat_girl_schmeat@reddit

mate that's just sad

[-]

anotherbozo@reddit

Take a friend?

[-]

Ill-Try222@reddit

Is there free food and drink? Can I come with you

[-]

StealthyUltralisk@reddit

Go alone and talk to people. This is how relationships start.

Good luck mate, you've got this. 💗

[-]

dprophet32@reddit

I'll do it for £2k plus expenses if you like

[-]

Slight_Energy_253@reddit

Just go alone or bring a platonic friend

[-]

Gloomy-Box123@reddit

Turn up on your own. In the unlikely event someone asks, mention your +1 having to cancel last minute due to sickness/children, or if you used to live further away they got delayed travelling from there. Thats an easier lie than entertaining someone you don't know.

[-]

InvestigatorSoft3606@reddit

Mate, don't hire someone, it will be really obvious and you might get a reputation that you really don't want!

In your situation I'd ask any non-work friends if they would like to go with you. As a younger man, I used to go to social events with a friend of mine (both straight males) and he would come to my work things, it was never a big deal - we just took advantage of free food and drink.

Maybe ask around at work to see if someone else is going alone - I bet there is - and ask if they want to go together with you.

[-]

ohyeahofcourse@reddit

You can try Bumble BFF to find a new friend to take. Bumble is primarily a dating app but the BFF feature is strictly for finding non-romantic friends. Just be up front about what your looking for and there may be someone else who is lonely / new to the area who is willing to come along to your work thing. It might be best to meet them first to check you get on OK

[-]

snakeoildriller@reddit

Whatever you decide, OP, please come back a tell us!!!

!remindme 5days

[-]

geezerebenezer@reddit

Lol, depending the area where you are I’ll go with you, not going to say no to some free drinks 😱

[-]

Teamhuw1@reddit

For the price of one escort you could hire x4 bodyguards. THAT would make a much more dramatic impression!

[-]

Danuk9455@reddit

Oh please do this and give us an update how it goes. I can’t wait until Christmas to watch the movie the office party. Which is what this is making me picture

[-]

Obvious-Water569@reddit

So you want to hire an escort.

Just go alone, boss man.

[-]

Big_Appointment_7449@reddit

You can hire a plus one and NOT an escort. Its This

Theres also Dukes of Daisy

Quite a few that are not rent a 🐓

[-]

Anal-Scrubs-905@reddit

Why would anyone give a shit if you turned up by yourself?

[-]

box_twenty_two@reddit

For someone so consumed by what others think of you, you’re suggesting an attention-seeking and performative solution to a non-problem. People will ABSOLUTELY guess you’ve brought an escort, and only then will your colleagues think you’re pitiable. Even if you don’t hire them to sleep with them, everyone will think you have. Is that the impression you want to make?

Take a friend, or take no-one, or don’t go.

[-]

Longjumping_Mood3729@reddit

Who knows if you go alone maybe you'll hit it off with one of your co workers wives

[-]

CynicismNostalgia@reddit

Humiliation of walking in on your own?

Im curious what yoir algorithm looks like to make you think this way. We are all alone. Theres no shame there.

[-]

lmsj94@reddit

Don’t you have friends to go with you? I have been with friends to a few events from their jobs.
Not my favourite thing to do, but the open bar and free food was worth it.

[-]

fatknits@reddit

If you don’t expect anything more than company to the event (eg no kissing etc) then I’d post on the subreddit of your city and just ask if anyone fancies a free night out.

Obviously be careful, meet whoever you pick at the venue and then don’t leave with them, and look back through their Reddit posts to see if they seem like someone who’s going to make things worse (eg high into the manosphere) or relatively inoffensive.

I’d do it for you and say we were family, so I’m sure someone nearby to you (wherever you are) will do it. People on Reddit can be bros about showing up for others. I’m going to witness a stranger’s wedding in July because they posted and had no family nearby!

[-]

CartoonistNo9@reddit

Just tell everyone your partner is busy modelling for a high end fashion magazine again.

[-]

PorkSwordFight@reddit

You can absolutely hire a plus one.

That said if you sort out the logistics, I'll be your plus one!

I'm a fairly tatted up 34 year old scottish biker but I've been told I scrub up well- I may even wear my kilt!

[-]

iamabigtree@reddit

On the one hand you have the potential slight embarrassment of going alone. Versus the potential career ending result of it getting out you hired an escort.

[-]

Lynex_Lineker_Smith@reddit

Mate , don’t take an escort ! You will be ridiculed beyond belief , I know for a fact that if any of the lads at my place did that , there would be piss taking of biblical proportions forever and ever . And from the sounds of it I don’t think you’d be able to handle it. Just go on your tod and enjoy the day.

[-]

rhyithan@reddit

If its vaguely local, ill come with ya

[-]

ZookeepergameOk2759@reddit

All it takes if you hire an escort is for you to be in the toilet and one of your work colleagues start quizzing them,then your known as escort Eddie for the rest of your time there,just go by yourself.

[-]

Cardabella@reddit

What is wrong with being single? Who tf judges people for attending events solo? It's perfectly normal.

[-]

CoffeeIgnoramus@reddit

I agree with the majority, I'd turn up alone and have done in the past. And when I turn up with my spouse, I also don't judge those alone.

I think you look stronger as yourself than as someone cos playing as a couple/friends with someone you don't know at all.

Honestly, if you focus on the part about bringing someone, yeah it might be awkward for a bit, but honestly, if you van push through that and judt be the person who looks like they're enjoying themselves, talking to people, it will not even cross anyone's mind.

And I know it's easier said than done, I used to hyperfocus on my lack of partner, but the second I let go of that, life became way nicer. And as someone with a relationship now, I have not ever even taken the time to think about other people's status. You are you. You don't need to pretend. It has no value in that world, if anything it makes you more flexible.

And if someone brings it up, you just say aomething along the lines of "all my family and friends are off having fun elsewhere!" Then ask them a question and move on. That's it. No need to go into deep conversation about your status.

And if others are taking friends (which is weirder in my opinion), they obviously get you. I either bring my spouse or no one and my spouse has stayed home on many of those. She isn't a decorative piece, she's a person who may not enjoy the events we have. End of story.

[-]

usernameinmail@reddit

Did you watch The Wedding Date?

[-]

juanito_f90@reddit

Hey OP, I’ll go with you for the cost of a few pints and 40 Rothmans.

[-]

whereohwhereohwhere@reddit

No one cares if you’re single. It’s not seen as a personal failing any more. Plus, half of your colleagues could be miserable in their marriages.

[-]

GrimQuim@reddit

I'll go with you OP, give me a backstory on how we met and I'll see you right.

[-]

ServerLost@reddit

Show up, make sure everybody who matters saw you and then go outside for a vape never to return. Work events are awful even if you've got a partner.

[-]

TheDevilsButtNuggets@reddit

If you've got no friends to take, what about an elderly neighbour?

Or you just go, say your friend was going to come, but something came up, and then leave early if you end up keeping to yourself

[-]

Wild_West_Spaceship@reddit

I agree with everyone here, it is fine to go alone! If you’re really worried about not taking anyone, just go alone and say the person you were going to take had a last minute work/life emergency and couldn’t go if anyone asks. Called into cover a shift, or some plumbing leaking is are good ones as people don't tend to want more details.

If it were me I would say it was a friend, as there is no reason really for your work colleagues to ever meet your friends really. It gets harder if you say a non-existent family member/ spouse, as people may ask about them again.

[-]

Matterbox@reddit

It’s ok to go on your own. Enjoy it.

[-]

znv142@reddit

A lot of people with an unhealthy family life and disfunctional relationships will be very jealous of you being alone and your life style/disposable income. Go alone and own it.

[-]

MorningLanky3192@reddit

So, firstly, its fine to go alone. Secondly, do you generally have no friends or potential friends in your life? Sometimes an occasion like this could be an opportunity to turn a friendly acquaintance into something more? I'm lucky to have friends and family around me, but I have definitely increased connections by just honestly saying to someone I didnt know that well "hey, I'd really like company to this event and dont currently have someone available to join. I know we havent hung out much one on one but I enjoyed catching up at X. Would you fancy coming along?"

[-]

AlanPartrid@reddit

Reddit is so fucking annoying. OP has asked how you go about hiring a +1 and all the comments are "Just go alone". Cool, but that's not what he asked.

I've never done it but you could try googling something like "hire companion for party" or "non-sexual escorts".

[-]

Lewis4018@reddit

I'll do it for free

[-]

simplytom_1@reddit

Surely you have at least one mate?

[-]

londonbrewer77@reddit

Hire yourself a private security guard to follow you around. It’ll make you nicely mysterious.

[-]

Careless_Squirrel728@reddit

Just bring a friend - my husband is going as a plus one to a wedding of one of his male friends. He doesn’t have a partner, doesn’t want to go on his own. It’s fine

[-]

Steups13@reddit

No. Do not do this. My teacher hired an escorts to go to a work do with him, and that's all anyone ever talks about. It followed him everywhere. Do not destroy what little reputation you have by hiring company. Just say friend got sick or had other plans already.

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Chemical-Lettuce2497@reddit

How classy do they need to be? Probably rent the prettiest crack head in town for less than 100.. try and find a fresher one they might not even look too cracky yet

TBF though.. you mentioned seeing people hiring a plus one for events on tv... I'm fairly sure every time I've seen this on TV it's gone wildly wrong!

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IncompleteObjects@reddit

Ask a friend or a see if any of your friends know someone who'd be willing to accompany you

I did it years ago for one of my girlfriends friends who was gay but didnt want to tell work. She'd been invited to a fancy black tie dinner where it was expected to bring your partner. So my girlfriend pimped me out.

We made up some basic details about where we met and how long we'd been dating. Then just had a good evening I got free 5 course meal and she got people not asking questions for a while

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eatlego@reddit

Normalise going alone. You may meet other ‘alone’ people. Then you won’t be alone.

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jejdhdijen@reddit

Go on then pal, I’ll do it. £1000.

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Appropriate_Trader@reddit

What work event is this? My wife has never come to a work event in 20 years.

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idealfury88@reddit

That's not a real thing. Somebody should definitely start doing that though, I reckon it will catch on.

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Spiritual_Edge_1831@reddit

What city is this in?

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Steve8557@reddit

What type of event is this where people will take their spouse or if not their family?

Not being facetious I just can’t think of an event where if I couldn’t take my wife along I’d take a friend/family member as +1

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AssaultEagle@reddit

Have you considered bringing a puppet? I'd suggest ventriloquist if possible but if not a clean sock with some googley eyes would probably go down a storm.

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realborislegasov@reddit

I know a girl but she’s not cheap.

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Swimming-Lie5369@reddit

If you don't have friends, go alone and make friends with people from work.

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BlueLinnet@reddit

If you're not comfortable being who you are, maybe don't be there in the first place. No shame in going alone.

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Weird-Category-3503@reddit

Watch Pretty Women this will guide you step by step

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ShitBritGit@reddit

This thing you saw on TV - was it Pretty Woman?

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Badlydressedgirl@reddit

As an escort…just go alone. Going along with a client to a social event is exhausting, I’d rather just have sex for money

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Fit_Search_4751@reddit

Sure, I'll go with you. I look good in a suit and I'll follow your lead 😊

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Sheffs20@reddit

No need to hire someone, I’ll come free of charge 🤣

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sara61wilson@reddit

Get on TaskRabbit and put up an ad. There is also AirTasker and rentacrowd

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sheffCocksuckerS20@reddit

Where is it? I’ll come with ya 🤣 love a good wedding and ya don’t even need to pay me 🤣

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Nooms88@reddit

A significant portion of people will be going alone, don't over think it

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Efficient-Gas7209@reddit

I would find the anxiety of pretending that X is my mate considerably worse than any semblance of anxiety caused by me not bringing anyone to a work event.

If you bring no one, it’s fine - you’re overthinking it imo

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Moop_the_Loop@reddit

I don't take my other half to work events. Mostly because he doesn't want to but also because I don't want to babysit him while I'm chatting with work people. If you bring a prostitute, everyone will be talkimg about you at all the future evemts.

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elbapo@reddit

Pitiful is the word. But its only pitiful if you hire someone- going alone is how people meet people. You will remain single/friendless until you can admit you are single/friendless.

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butt3rflycaught@reddit

Are you implying you don’t have a single friend or person that you’re acquainted with that you could ask? Not one single person?! Surely that’s better than bringing a total stranger/escort?

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TheWeirdDude-247@reddit

Im down depending on what, were it is and when.

Probably be a laugh though i may or may not be bit....too sarcastic, can I cuss anyone or is it "bro just be normal for once, is that so fucking hard" vibes?

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Cunthbert@reddit

Definitely hire an escort, you can smash at the end too

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SqueakySquirrel117@reddit

A colleague was telling us all about a former colleague from a previous job and how this one dude had most likely brought an escort to a Christmas event and how obvious it was that they barely knew each other. It all kind of became the gossip of the month as people were curious about what had happened after the event, had they gone back to his place etc. I’ve no idea if the dude was aware how much he was talked about.

Go on your own, own the fact you’re single! I’m currently single, I go to work events on my own and quite like it. Of course I’d rather be partnered up but I’d rather be single than in an unhappy relationship. Being single isn’t an embarrassment. Hiring someone to go with you seems more about your own sense of embarrassment and perception of being single. Maybe you would benefit from some counselling to explore these beliefs. What would you do if you sensed people picked up on the fact you’d hired someone to accompany you? Won’t you be worrying during the event that someone is going to figure it out? You’re highly unlikely to be judged for going on your own. If you hire someone and your colleagues realise, you’ll be the topic of discussion for many weeks.

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PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit

Honestly mate, just go on your own.

Yes you can hire an escort, it'll cost you a whack, you'll have to pay for their drinks etc as well, and you'll spend the night trying to remember what yarn you've spun about how you met and whatever.

I feel like the UK is particularly bad for people overthinking the whole going to things solo. It's a completely normal thing to do, and the people around you really don't care as much as you think they do.

You can use it as an opportunity to meet new people, and you may even see other people there flying solo who you can strike a conversation with!

Alternatively, if you don't really want to go, don't go. Work social events are rarely mandatory after all. I would never require my staff to attend a social event involving family and friends. I've known many people over the years who do a grand job but just aren't interested in Christmas parties and summer BBQs. It's completely fine to skip it.

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Skydance1975@reddit

I'm seeing business opportunity.....

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Much_Winter2202@reddit

Don't be embarrassed about being single. Tell people & they'll introduce you to their single friends

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Fabulous-Wolf-4401@reddit

Honestly, just go on your own, and don't worry about it, because it's a good move - it's fine ro be on your own, in fact, it's better - you are not tied to anyone else, you can leave when you want. You don't have to apologise for it. It's the best of all possible worlds!

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MojoMomma76@reddit

I’d ask a friend. If my husband was out of town I’d ask a girlfriend or good male friend to come with (but also be clear that they are a friend not the partner to avoid future confusion).

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2MB26@reddit

Do you have a friend you can bring as a +1? Not to pretend to be a partner, just to have familiar company

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UnacceptableUse@reddit

my life is genuinely this pitiable

Even if everyone else goes with someone else (doubt it) there is nothing pitiable about going alone. It would be pitiable when your work colleagues see you pretending the escort is your spouse/friend. If you go alone, you almost certainly won't be questioned on it nor will anyone be wondering why you are alone or judging you for it. Everyone is far too busy thinking about themselves.
If you absolutely cannot stomach people thinking you had novody to go with, just say your spouse/friend had to drop out last minute because they were ill.

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Confident_Yak_1411@reddit

Friend, it is entirely normal to go to such events alone. I am the last person in my friendship group to have a partner/children, and while I’m sure they’re all happy, I know they envy the fact that I can get to such events at whatever time I like and leave whenever I like, without the possibility of arguments on the way there, or on the way home.

Own it, for the love of everything holy don’t hire someone, because it is entirely noticeable.

I’m sure there will be others there who are alone!

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iamthefirebird@reddit

Is there anyone from your work who is also single, that you wouldn't mind going with? Do you have any friends? How about a cardboard cutout of Danny Devito?

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M27TN@reddit

Honestly, just go alone. There’s no shame in being single. You surely won’t be the only single person at the event any way and even if you are it will be better than taking an escort and having some half baked lies being told all night about who they are, how they met, how long you’ve been together, what you like doing together etc etc.

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Timely_Egg_6827@reddit

This is a work event - a lot of people won't be able to bring their spouse or family because there will be childcare arrangement, competing responsibilities and all the flack of life. Many spouses/partners can't imagine anything worse. I've met some of my colleagues' family. Never met others.

If you have a good friend you can trust to behave and who's up for free food, then invite them. Otherwise set yourself a deadline and leave then. You'll be seen to be networking and present but you aren't signed up to a long time of pain.

Most people will be welcoming if you go to a huddle of your work colleagues. Have they got any entertainment laid on?

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tripping_yarns@reddit

Go alone, unless you have crippling social anxiety in which case don’t go.

On second thoughts, are the drinks free?

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TeaAndCrumpetGhoul@reddit

Can someone just tell op if there are any services instead of just saying "it doesn't matter, stop caring."

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DigitalAmy0426@reddit

This humiliation is self created and a vicious circle because this contributes to you remaining single. Don't use AI but please find a way to work on your cognitive distortions and self esteem.

No one at work events cares if you have a partner at the event or not. Most people won't even notice, unless your company consists of ten employees.

If there is anyone in your life you trust not to make a scene and would enjoy free food invite them. I brought my bestie to the xmas party and no one cared. Heck I wasn't the only one to do that even.

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ProudMastodon1@reddit

Just go alone and be honest that you're single.

Or go alone and make up some extravagant lie that your partner couldn't make it because they are a spy and are currently on a mission to defeat nuclear armed terrorists and save the world once again.

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marquoth_@reddit

I can't relate to this in any way. I am very happily married and I'm fairly sure my wife would rather take a long walk off a short pier than come to a work social event with me to play nice with a bunch of strangers; I'm also not remotely bothered by the prospect of going to one alone.

Seriously - why do you care? Go, don't go, it doesn't matter as long as you don't turn up with an anime waifu pillow or an obvious prostitute.

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