Communication

The evolution of goodbye

Goodbyes are like the final chord in the symphony of a conversation – they can be sweet, abrupt, awkward, or even comically drawn out. From the classic “See you later” to the more ceremonious “Farewell,” the way we bid adieu says a lot about us and our relationships. But let’s face it, in a world where we’ve turned eating, sleeping, and even dating into an art form, isn’t it time our goodbyes got a makeover too?

The Traditional Goodbye

Traditionally, goodbyes have ranged from the casual “Catch you later” – perfect for when you’re unsure if you’re actually catching them later or just saying it to avoid the awkwardness of a more personal goodbye – to the more formal “Farewell,” which sounds like you’re either boarding a ship in the 1800s or parting ways with a wizard.

“Take it easy” is the laid-back cousin in the goodbye family, ideal for when you want to sound cool and unbothered, but deep down you’re actually calculating the next time you’ll have to socialize. And let’s not forget “Peace out,” the goodbye that somehow still hangs around from the 90s, like that one friend who never got the hint that the party’s over.

 The Absurd Future of Goodbyes

As we hurtle into the future, it’s only natural that our ways of saying goodbye evolve too. Here are some absurd, yet entirely plausible, new goodbyes we might start hearing:

1. “Catch you in the Metaverse!” – Perfect for when you’re not sure if you’ll ever see this person in the flesh again, but there’s a high chance of bumping into their avatar at a virtual reality concert.

2. “Stay Hydrated!” – Because in a world where wellness is king, what better way to show you care than a reminder to keep up with their H2O intake?

3. “May your Wi-Fi be strong!” – In an age where a stable internet connection is more valuable than gold, this is akin to wishing someone good fortune and safe travels.

4. “Till our next podcast episode!” – For the modern age where everyone and their grandma has a podcast, this is the new “Let’s do lunch.”

5. “Swipe you right!” – A nod to the dating app era, perfect for parting ways with someone you hope to match with on every social platform.

6. “Avoid the spoilers!” – A sign-off for our times, especially when you’re both watching the same 10-season series but are on different episodes.

7. “See you after the next software update!” – Because nothing says “I’ll be thinking of you” like acknowledging the inevitable passage of technology.

8. “Until our charging ports align!” – For the eco-conscious, electric car-driving folks who know the struggles of coordinating charging times.

9. “Survive the algorithm!” – A modern twist on “Stay safe,” acknowledging the biggest challenge we all face – staying relevant on social media.

10. “Emoji you later!” – Why say goodbye when you can express it through a carefully curated selection of emojis?

Farewell my Lovelies

Whether it’s a simple “Bye” or a futuristic “Emoji you later,” goodbyes are an essential part of our social fabric. They can be heartfelt, humorous, or downright bizarre. But one thing’s for sure – as long as we keep talking, we’ll keep finding new ways to say “farewell.” So, until our next conversation – may your Wi-Fi be strong, and avoid the spoilers!

Joe Ditzel

Joe Ditzel is a keynote speaker, humor writer, and really bad golfer. You can reach him via email at [email protected] as well as Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn.