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The Irish goodbye becomes famous

There is even a Facebook site dedicated to the Irish goodbye. Molly Muldoon explains

By
MOLLY MULDOON,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Saturday, July 24, 2010, 11:46 PM
Updated Sunday, July 25, 2010, 12:00 AM

 

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Irish Goodbye = quick escape out the back door.

The Irish goodbye is also known as the shamrock shuffle  It’s more than likely that once in your life you have committed this act.

Why it is called the Irish goodbye remains a mystery. Rumor has it an enraged woman coined the term after her second Irish boyfriend in a row disappeared without  a trace at the end of a date.

It’s that stage during the middle of a social gathering where by you decide to disappear into the abyss without telling anyone. Not bothered with niceties, extended farewells or the long kiss goodnight. You simply up and leave.

Considered rude by some and a clever escape by many, this move have been branded “the Irish Goodbye."

Once you have reached the point of no return, the time has come for your Irish goodbye (IGB). Perhaps you have had too much to drink; maybe that girl you got stuck talking to bored you to tears, or worse you have just spotted your ex across the bar. Whatever the reason, you need to make a quick exit, unnoticed.

Of course there are logistics to consider. Here are some tips to help you disappear into the dark of night, without been seen.

A/ Scope out the joint to locate your closest exit route. Take into account you want to run into as few people as possible on your way out. A back door can come in handy here for a quick stage exit.

B/ Planning ahead try not to bring any large jackets/coats/bags with you as this is the ultimate give away. If you cannot avoid this, then use the smoking excuse as part of your escape.

C/As you begin you begin your break out, try to look as casual as possible. If a comrade stops you along the way, assure them you are just dashing to the restroom. Your focus here should be on crossing that threshold. Once you get out that door, you are on the home run.

D/ Dependant on the group you’ve left behind, perhaps throw a text to one of your bff’s alerting them to your IGB.

Everyone does it so there is no need to feel guilty. Sometimes, it’s better to vacate the premises and what better exit strategy than an Irish goodbye.

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Posted by Nelliegrace on Aug 08, 2010, 09:02 PM EDT
I have done this myself but never knew it was called "the Irish goodby".
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Posted by ardgehane on Aug 01, 2010, 01:34 PM EDT
I think it's really a guy thing - so you don't make promises you can't keep...
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Posted by PolinDeB on Jul 28, 2010, 10:17 PM EDT
yeah.. obviously something invented in the minds of foreigners... the real irish goodbye, consists of many good intentions that will never be met ;)
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Posted by PolinDeB on Jul 28, 2010, 10:16 PM EDT
I've heard of hitting the wall.. not the Irish goodbye.. Hitting the wall is where you've reached the point where you brain is telling you to get home before you collapse and you depart rather quickly. not particularly irish though
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Posted by michaelcollins on Jul 28, 2010, 09:46 AM EDT
never heard that one in my 27yrs living in ireland (i was born here)we usually use the words (i fooked off lastnight without telling anyone)
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Posted by Mayolady on Jul 27, 2010, 07:31 PM EDT
I have researched the Irish Famine for a decade and my guess is that the Irish goodbye goes back to Irish young adults going to America which meant they were leaving home forever. No return trip was affordable. When they left for America, they would NEVER see family and friends again and thus the leavetaking was extremely painful and emotional. Many saved their families the cost of a goodbye party (american wake) and also prevented the sad relatives from trying to convince them to stay. I know some of my own ancestors secretly left and wrote back later. Relatives at first only guessed what had occurred. That is where I think it originated, although I have no absolute authoritative source for this. It was deemed easier to just leave at night to some without saying goodbye.
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Posted by xenophilia on Jul 27, 2010, 01:36 PM EDT
I've never heard this expression before. The only guy who did this to me (twice, the bastad!) was African American--not Irish at all. He thought I was going to dump him and took a preemptive powder (second time I just let him go--wasn't worth explaining!). That being said, I have left large, noisy drinky parties without taking leave of mein hosts...it was too much trouble to find them, and I figured they wouldn't remember anyway...it sounds really rude writing it, but at the time I thought it was OK. hmmm.
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Posted by jacersisityourself on Jul 26, 2010, 07:46 PM EDT
I'm an Irishman and have never be so cowardly as to do this IGB in my dating days. I never even had a female IGB experience. Better to be up-front, gentlemanly or lady-like and say "Look, this isn't working, so let's call it quits - eh?". Then run like hell is after ya!
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Posted by irishfez on Jul 26, 2010, 05:26 PM EDT
Like the Houdini exit!!!
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Posted by GeorgeDillon on Jul 26, 2010, 04:10 PM EDT
I was unaware of the term, but it was a common way I took my leave of an unwanted companionship during my dating years.
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Posted by maryemoore on Jul 26, 2010, 12:59 PM EDT
I always thought the Irish Goodbye was taking an hour to leave an event because you stand at the door and keep saying goodbye to everyone. Happened in my family all the time.
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Posted by Reilleyfam on Jul 26, 2010, 12:39 PM EDT
Wherever you go, you are still Irish. How many other Irish customs/traits do we all engage in and not realize it's due to green blood? Hilarious!
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Posted by Anseanfear on Jul 26, 2010, 09:50 AM EDT
The Irish goodbye has been around for donkey's years. Check the Irish population of Liverpool. It goes back to W.W.II.
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Posted by mikehoulihan on Jul 26, 2010, 09:49 AM EDT
We used to call it "taking it on the Arhtur T. Duffy", the discreet exit. Don't know who Duffy was, but that is definitely an Irish name.
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Posted by bollox88 on Jul 26, 2010, 09:44 AM EDT
LOL, I never knew what this was called!!! I have done this many times over the years.
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Posted by Sonnycon on Jul 25, 2010, 07:37 PM EDT
wow...I've never heard the term but I have been practicing this "custom" for years. Thanks...I feel a little less guilty now.
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Posted by chesapeake on Jul 25, 2010, 07:34 PM EDT
Never associated with the Irish; but it could be. I have used the technique when I found myself not in control of my immediate destiny, such as the introduction of certain controlled substances. One does have to choose the right moment to time to disappear. I have also admonished my children (now grown) to never hesitate to leave any out- of-control situation. Discretion is the better part of valor
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Posted by carrickcourt on Jul 25, 2010, 02:37 PM EDT
I did an "Irish goodbye" at my 40Th High School reunion party. I did have a good time at the reunion too, go figure.
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Posted by WoundedKnee on Jul 25, 2010, 02:27 PM EDT
Michael: "I didnh't know it was called that...and why is it Irish??" ---ooo---ooo--- Because this is an Irish web site.
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Posted by ODonnabhain on Jul 25, 2010, 11:38 AM EDT
And oppositely, we have what we, in my family, call the Polish goodbye. That's when it takes you nearly an hour to say goodbye! lol I love the IGB! I never heard it called that before but I have utilized it! lol This is great!
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Posted by MichaelaG on Jul 25, 2010, 09:32 AM EDT
I didnh't know it was called that...and why is it Irish??
 


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