Is it okay to decline a work shower?

trixie549

I work in an office of 15 people and I really don't feel that close to anyone (we don't socialize outside of work, etc.). Some of my coworkers have offered to host a work bridal shower two weeks before my wedding. I appreciate their thoughtfulness, but this is something I would rather not do - the thought of opening gifts in front of everyone just isn't appealing to me. Plus, my registries have already pretty much been depleted from a previous family shower and people already purchasing wedding gifts. And FWIW, I did not invite any coworkers to the wedding.

Is it acceptable to tactfully decline?

Avion22

Maybe you can talk to whoever has offered to plan it and request something low-key -- order in pizza for lunch, something like that, no gifts, no muss no fuss :-)   This way you are letting them celebrate with you without the weirdness of people you don't know that well throwing you a "shower" and giving you wedding gifts.

redheadfsu

You could just ask to go out to lunch together instead (that is what I did).

aragx6

If you don't want it, you can certainly turn it down. I'll say that that would cause some hurt feelings in my office that I don't think would be worth it, but you know your coworkers better than me of course.

rebarobert2012

It's your choice.  You can certainly decline if it makes you that uncomfortable.  However, I would be prepared for some hurt feelings if you are going to do that. 

If at all possible, I think that you should just let them do the shower for you.  I know you don't really want one, but I'm sure that they just want to do something nice for you.