How to Feel Confident in Social Business Situations

Building strong relationships with colleagues—whether in person or virtually—is essential for career growth. These connections help foster trust, collaboration, and camaraderie in the workplace.

But for non-native English speakers, social situations like happy hours or casual chats can feel intimidating, especially when they’re spontaneous.

In the U.S., it’s common for coworkers to meet up after work for a happy hour, and with the rise of remote work, virtual happy hours are now just as popular.

However, these casual interactions can be more challenging than meetings or presentations, where preparation is key. To help you feel more confident, let’s explore some essential phrases for handling these relaxed environments.

How to Invite Colleagues to a Happy Hour

Inviting colleagues for a drink or a virtual catch-up can feel daunting, but having a few phrases up your sleeve can make it easier. Here are some options:

• “Would anyone be interested in happy hour this Friday?”
  Perfect for asking a group, whether in person or over email.

• “Does anyone want to do a virtual happy hour this week? Just to hang out—no shop talk.”
  “Shop talk” is a casual way Americans refer to business-related conversations.

• “Do you want to grab a drink after work? The first round is on me.”
  This phrase signals you're offering to pay for the first drink, but not for the whole night.

• “Anyone up for a drink on Friday?”
  A casual and simple way to invite coworkers, especially in informal settings.

How to Accept a Happy Hour Invitation

Once you’ve been invited, responding naturally can help you feel more comfortable. Try these phrases:

• “Sure! I’m free whenever.”
  This shows flexibility in your availability.

• “That sounds fun. When?”
  This conveys enthusiasm and interest in the details.

• “Yeah, I’m in. Thanks for the invite!”
  A laid-back and casual response.

How to Politely Decline a Happy Hour Invitation

If you’re unable to join, declining politely will keep the door open for future invites:

• “I wish I could, but Friday doesn’t work for me. Maybe next time.”
  This leaves room for future opportunities.

• “Thanks for thinking of me, but I can’t this week.”
  Short, polite, and to the point.

How to Leave a Happy Hour Politely

Leaving a social gathering, whether in person or virtual, doesn’t have to be awkward. Here are some graceful ways to exit:

• “Alright, I have to get going. See you next week.”
  A simple way to wrap things up.

• “Sorry to interrupt, but I have to go. Bye everyone!”
  This is direct and polite.

• “Ok, everyone, I’m going to hop off now. Bye!”
  Great for virtual settings when you’re ready to leave.

Practicing these phrases out loud and recording yourself can help you improve both your intonation and body language. Remember to use a casual tone, smile, and maintain relaxed body language to appear and feel more confident.

Actionable Tip: Record Yourself

A quick way to boost your confidence is by recording yourself using these phrases.

Watch for your body language and adjust your tone to be more conversational. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel in real-time situations.

Keep Learning

Don’t stop here—learn how to be more confident and natural with small talk in English. Click here to dive in!

Also, download your free audio training of the three must-know leadership communication skills for non-native speakers here.

If you’re ready to elevate your English communication and executive presence, or if you're looking for training resources for the international leaders in your company, book a call today at TanniaSuarez.com, or learn more about my Leadership Communication Accelerator here.