Good for you hun!

If I were you, I'd let people know ahead of time that you're going on your own. And if someone says something about your working life being miserable for a while afterwards, I'd ask them directly:

'Is that a threat? Are you planning on harrassing me because I won't sell out to a pathetic rule that says you have to take a date? OK, I'll make sure I make my appointment with my lawyer ahead of time, shall I?'

__________________
"Time flies like an arrow -
Fruit flies like a banana"

M Y - N A U G H T Y - P I C T U R E S ! !