GOODBYES

I like to think of myself as a personable chap.  You know, tries to smile a lot, says hi to most folks unless I'm in a really bad mood and generally happy most of the time.  However, when I see an article like this (one that ironically the author found fitting to withhold his/her name from), I begin to lose my lunch.

http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/ghosting-the-best-way-to-leave-a-party-20130704-2pedp.html

Since when is the idea of bidding your friends farewell awkward.  Yes, it takes an extra moment of time.  Sure, it may mean you don't leave at exactly the time you wanted to, but to make the argument that saying goodbye is a bummer, so therefore it shouldn't be done is like saying only positives can mean things in your life.  Where did it become so hard for us as humans to acknowledge that things aren't always positive, and you know what, that's freaking OK.

I'm going to take it a step further: some of the best lessons, some of life's most important moments come from scenarios that aren't all pleasant and dreamy.  It's OK that things have to end, as much as we may not want them to, and saying goodbye is simply acknowledging it in a healthy way.

Mannerisms are part of who you are, and taking time to make sure those you give a damn about know it, whether it be hello, or saying I love you, or wishing them a fond farewell -- all are necessary!

And it hasn't become that people are just "ghosting" (as this article calls it) from parties.  Ever have an Instant Message (IM) conversation where the person just stopped talking and left?  I do, almost all the time, and it's one of the most baffling things in the world.  It's as if this person feels if they vanish, the conversation will never end, and thus we'll be perpetually connected, as if THAT would be GOOD thing.  How about simply taking a moment to say,  

'hey, it was great catching up with you, I gotta run. Let's make some plans now so I can see you again in person.'

Hey look at that, even South Park characters know how to wave goodbye.

There.  Was that so hard?  So Inconvenient?

I'm at a loss that our country often wonders why kids are doing extreme things with their behavior at times while this wonderful author suggests that a simple mannerism of politeness and unselfishness is now too inconvenient.  Better yet, why say hello even?  Let's just slide in and out of social gatherings on our phones, without any formalities or verbal repartee. 

Why go to the trouble of bringing something for the host when you're invited for dinner.  Just slide in, eat and take off before you're noticed.

Who is writing tripe like this piece of crap? Texting all the time, emailing and now making a case for removing more and more formalities of life simply because they aren't convenient or are a bummer is like trying to deny and prevent people from acknowledging what needs to be acknowledged - -things end.  It isn't always fun, but that's life.  And you know what?  That's not going to change if you simply ghost  your way in and out of things.  It's still there.  The party's over.  The dinner ended.  Your friends one day won't be here. And how sucky would it be if out of your own selfish need of convenience you never bid them goodbye.

The only person that should ghost him/herself is the writer of this piece of crap article, and the editor who thought it was a good idea.