By M. Zulkifli

This happened some time ago, but the memory lingers — for all the awkward reasons.

I was invited to a company’s annual dinner (not my own), and the theme was “uniforms.” I played along and came dressed for the occasion. Even before the event kicked off, the lobby was already buzzing with energy. People were laughing, posing for photos, admiring each other’s outfits — it had all the makings of a great night.

When the event officially started, the emcee got things going by getting everyone on their feet for a fun little dance routine. It was light-hearted and silly, and everyone joined in with a smile. So far, so good.

The emcee then took a moment to acknowledge the VIPs seated at the head table. It was clear that some effort had gone into memorising their names, which I thought was a nice touch. But things started to go sideways not long after.

As the evening progressed and the VIPs were invited on stage — to give short speeches, hand out prizes, and draw names for the lucky draws — the emcee began making jokes. Not just any jokes, but ones directed at the VIPs. You could sense the shift in the room. While the VIPs smiled politely, it was obvious the jokes had crossed a line. Sporting as they were, there’s only so much discomfort a forced grin can hide.

The awkwardness didn’t stop there. The emcee then started poking fun at staff members’ names — repeatedly. At first, it drew a few laughs, but soon you could feel the defensiveness in the room. People were no longer amused. Unfortunately, the emcee didn’t pick up on the cues and kept doubling down.

Now, contrast this with the previous year’s dinner. That emcee was an absolute riot — in the best way. His jokes were mostly self-deprecating, and he had a natural charm that got everyone laughing and joining in. Yes, he teased a few people here and there, but it was always in good spirit. You never felt like anyone was being singled out or humiliated.

The key takeaway here? Tact matters. Even at a fun, informal event, an emcee needs to read the room. What works for a party full of junior staff may fall flat — or worse, offend — in a crowd that includes senior management. Your role isn’t just to entertain. It’s to make everyone feel comfortable and included.

From what I’ve heard, the company has decided not to rehire that emcee for future events. And honestly, that says it all.

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