I made a thought provoking discovery this weekend after a couple of awkward goodbyes. On Friday night I was set up on a blind date and had a good time. I was feeling good about how the entire date was going...then came the goodbye. By goodbye, I don't just mean the dreaded doorstep scene although those are included here. I'm not sure why the goodbye was so weird but after my date left I looked back on the entire date...which I previously thought went very well...and felt like it was a flop. Why does the goodbye, which lasts less than 5 minutes, override any positive moments of the evening?
My theory of the importance of the Goodbye was confirmed again the next day after a Stake Service Project. As I was weeding I met some new friends from other wards and really enjoyed talking and joking with them. We had fun while we worked. After the clean-up, lunch was provided. I stopped to wash my hands and when I got to the tables found an empty place to sit. It wasn't next to any of my new friends so I figured I could make more new friends. Everyone around me finished before me and took off leaving me alone at the table. I let the awkwardness of sitting by myself get to me and quickly finished and took off myself. As I was walking back to my car I regretted not taking the quick minute to say a simple goodbye to each of my new friends. Somehow that simple goodbye solidifies everything that was built prior to it.
With this new discovery, I plan to work on my Goodbyes. I'm not sure how to do this or how to make them more effective, but I do think that the Goodbye is the climactic moment that determines a second date, a future hang-out, or whatever. This could potentially be my weakness in the world of dating. If I can figure this out, much unnecessary frustration could be done away with. I'm not saying that I am happy about the Goodbye being so important (honestly, I think it is stupid that those few minutes can minimize any previously had good times), but I am willing to try and improve. Wish me luck! :)
2 comments:
I am terrible with goodbyes... as you well know. I usually avoid them all together and just leave - talk about awkward! There really is something about having to say goodbye that inflicts a great deal of pressure. Are you suppossed to be emotional? Are you suppossed to not show emotion? These are just a few of the questions about goodbyes that make me not want to even attempt the practice :)
Kara
E-mail me! I talked to my cousin Brad!!!
Leslie
lesallen916@gmail.com
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