Hey everyone, sorry this is my first thread so I’m not great at writing T_T

I’m 26, working at a small office in Phuket in the client coordination team. Daily stuff is sending emails, tracking stock, making Excel reports, and lots of online meetings. Some mornings I roll out of bed late and have to wolf down the boxed breakfast I made at 5am with the same old gel pen whose tip’s broken but still works. The job’s manageable but there’s one thing that’s driving me crazy, really.

Short version: my boss asked me to help run a client event outside work hours — an evening party this Saturday, like 9pm to 1am (about 5 hours). He said it’s an important chance for the company and wants me to help run the canteen, set up tables, greet guests, take photos, and stay until the end. No OT pay, no transport home, no extra contract or anything — just “please help, the team needs to be one.” Like… hey, I’m not an events staff.

Some coworkers say go and it’s just being nice, others ignore it because they have tutoring or their partner’s waiting. Some say “if they make you do this all the time it’s bad.” I’m worried I’ll get taken advantage of if I go, but if I refuse I’m scared the boss will be pissed or think I’m not a team player. I also keep wondering if I’m putting work above my personal life or just overthinking it.

Anyone dealt with this? How do I refuse politely without ruining my relationship with the boss? Or how do I ask for compensation/reimbursement in a way that sounds professional and not like I’m whining like a dumb employee? I want actual short lines I can say to the boss, like specific sentence examples. Or if I should ask for pay, how to phrase it and specify hours clearly so it doesn’t seem like I’m trying to take advantage of others.

I want real phrases like “Sorry, I’m afraid…” not long theories, please lol

P.S. Sorry again if this is messy. I’ll try the suggestions when I talk to my boss.