Premature Goodbyes

Goodbye: farewell (a conventional expression used at parting). (see dictionary.com)

I have placed emphasis on “used at parting” because it appears that some people have forgotten when the phrase “goodbye” should be used. This was brought to my attention recently at work, when the new guy announced he was leaving by happily saying “goodbye” to everyone. Normally I would have no problem with someone saying goodbye just before he/she left, but that’s where the problem arose. After saying goodbye, my work colleague returned to his desk to pack up his belongings. This took at least 2 minutes, at which time he said goodbye again, which was met by a slight awkwardness, before promptly leaving.

“Why?”, I ask, do some people insist on farewelling others before they actually intend on leaving. Are they so pretentious that they assume the people around them need time to prepare for their impending departure? I myself find it awkward if I say goodbye, only to return half a minute later because I left something behind so I can’t imagine saying goodbye without actually leaving. It sometimes brings relief if you dislike the person leaving, or disappointment if the farewell-giver is of the hot variety. Some people put a lot of emotion into a goodbye, so seeing the recipient stay afterwards can be deflating. This can lead to those returning the farewell feeling slightly awkward. Saying goodbye is a special occasion. You usually save it for once a day per person. What makes these people think they deserve more than one goodbye!?

I implore everyone out there, if you plan on saying goodbye, please ask yourself, “am I actually going to leave shortly after?”. If you actually don’t plan on leaving upon completion of farewelling others, then keep quiet until you have readied yourself for departure.