Annoying Co Worker!!

[mousemarie]

I am a bit irritated by what happened at my office the week before Christmas. Our company was having their annual Christmas Party. It was going to be at the Corporate Office which is about 20 minutes from where I work. They always have it during office hours, which I hate because I never have went and always stay behind. There are always a few people that end up staying. Well this year I was at my desk minding my own business when the IT guy (he is not my supervisor or boss nor do we work in the same department!)came over and asked me if I was going to the party. I said no because I was going to be on vacation the next week and had to get a lot of my work done before I leave. This sounds like an excuse but its the truth. Plus I didn't really want to go. I am not a fan of office parties of any type and if I have a reason not to attend I use it. Anyway, he said that it was not a good excuse and that I should go. I said "No" again. He kept trying to pressure me. He told me I should just stay a couple hours late to get my work done than I could attend the party. Like I want to stay late the day before my vacation!!! Then he said "You have ten minutes to decide, I'll be back". I had already said "No"! Minutes later he came back and kept pressuring me. I had to say "No" again! The worst part is other people in my office could hear him giving me a hard time. It was embarrassing! I was so mad! Of course I didn't say anything to him about it.
I plan on ignoring him when he returns to work next week. There were other people who stayed behind but yet I was the only one he picked on! I don't think it was any of his business why I wasn't going. The party was not mandatory. If you ask somebody if they are going and they say "No" that should be the end of it!!
Has anybody had anything like this happen? If so how did you handle it??

[gaia]

Is there a chance this guy has a bit of a thing for you? It's odd that he would single you out.
Though maybe if you're the most introverted there, he thinks you'll give in and say 'yes' for a quiet life?
Still, I can see why you were annoyed. Did you tell him he was pissing you off? Maybe in future you could politely say that while you're flattered he so desperately wants you to attend, you really are beginning to feel harassed.

[mousemarie]

I doubt this guy has a thing for me. He is married with kids. But I guess anything is possible. I usually can tell when a guy has a thing for me, I don't get that from him.
I am the most introverted there. There is another person that is pretty quiet but he usually attends the Christmas Party.
I think I was singled out because I am quiet and people think I make an easy target. Whatever the reason was for his harrassing me, it was uncalled for.
I guess I could've said something to him about it but of course I couldn't think of anything at the time.

[bleaknunhappy]

If I were you, I would have just told him to fuck off. I dislike going to parties like that, but I still go, just to get the attempt at being social.