Irish Goodbye

What the heck is an “Irish Goodbye?” Apparently it’s a common phrase in America but as someone who lives really close to Ireland I’d never heard it before.

American newspaper The Irish Star explains:

the Irish Goodbye is leaving somewhere without letting people know that you’re going to do so. Many have speculated that Irish people tend to do this at the end of parties more so than other folk, which could have some credence to it.

Others feel there may be a more sinister tone to the term, and that it’s a reference to the stereotype that Irish people tend to be so drunk at the end of parties, that they are in no position to say goodbye.

Oh, okay.

Well, racism aside, I love to leave without saying goodbye. It’s one of life’s great pleasures. Do it at parties always. Do it when quitting jobs if you’re adventurous. Maybe don’t do it at all, but keep the Irish Goodbye in your heart somewhere, never forgetting you can just go.

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