Leaving without saying anything? The Irish goodbye is not rude – it’s actually a respectful way to leave.
When it’s time to leave, it becomes an entire event. Cue the Irish goodbye. A smooth exit. Out the door before anyone notices.
Here are ten reasons why this is the best way to leave in case you need to disappear from an event without that unnecessary guilty feeling.
10. Being efficient – you’re saving everyone’s time (hero move)
Let’s be real, ducking out of an event where you’d have to say goodbye to 20+ people just saves your time and, honestly, everybody else’s time, too. So you’re just being efficient. You’re practically taking one for the team by not turning it into a production.
9. Embracing your needs – you don’t need to drain your social battery
All those prolonged goodbyes? You can feel your social battery draining just thinking about it. This is not what you need. So you’re doing yourself a favour by leaving without the hubbub, and that is more than okay. You do you.
8. Being practical – you’re not causing any awkwardness
We’ve all been there. You’re trying to get people’s attention to say goodbye, but they’re in a conversation. You’re left doing a little wave, a slight cough, anything that feels subtle enough, while signalling “Sorry, over here”. Eventually, it gets awkward. The Irish goodbye is your way out.
7. Hassle-free and smooth – you’re taking the easy way out (literally)
We can’t hide it. It’s easy. It’s smooth. You’re just slipping out. Practically leaving without a trace if it weren’t for the stain that your pint left on the table. The Irish goodbye might not work for every event, but you’re saving yourself the hassle when it’s a big gathering. That’s a win.
6. Avoiding the emotional goodbye trap – you’re keeping your peace
It’s great when others don’t want you to leave, but you might feel that punch of emotional guilt. It feels like pressure, and you’re wondering if the group just started looking a bit sadder.
You end up staying to not disappoint them, but your eyes are fixated on the clock. Just keep your peace and leave.
5. Keeping the flow going – you’re not bringing down the mood
The pub gathering is in full force, everyone is chatting, drinking, and having fun. Now imagine you’d announce your exit. That would just bring down the mood for everybody – at least for a minute or two. You don’t want that. Let them enjoy those pints and the pub fun.
4. Being real – you don’t have to give a reason
How many times can you tell people you have an early morning or you’re just not feeling too well? Frankly, you don’t owe anybody an explanation, but it feels like you have to give a somewhat believable reason for leaving or even apologise for it. You could also just head for the door and go.
3. The others can stay – you’re not causing a flood of goodbyes
When the first person starts to leave, others will jump on that goodbye train, and that eventually breaks up the entire party. Do you really want to be responsible for that? You don’t. So exiting quietly won’t make others feel the need to leave as well.
2. No interruptions – you’re keeping the fun going
You don’t want to stop the fun. You just want to get home. So instead of interrupting that great story someone at the table is telling, you just keep the momentum going. And at the same time, you do what’s right for you – which is getting home and getting some sleep.
1. It’s decided – you actually get to leave
There is a real risk of not being able to leave when you want to. Staying another five minutes easily turns into an hour, and you’re still nowhere near the door. In fact, you probably have a fresh pint in your hands. Avoid that. Follow through and go for the Irish goodbye.
Bonus reason – you’re saving people money
With you leaving, buying the next round just got cheaper for the others at your pub. So how could an Irish goodbye be bad?
With all those reasons in your back pocket, you can now feel certain that leaving the pub or your friend’s party without announcing it is actually quite respectful – to yourself and the others. However, if you’re unsure, you might want to read the room first.
