Even with my parents I always wonder is it time to go yet and I'm observing everyone for clues. I prefer if there's a time limit and they said leave at 8.00. There's more to it than that though. Anyone feel like that?
Joined: 2 Nov 2004 Gender: Female Posts: 17,054 Location: None
27 Jun 2010, 5:25 am
I think everyone is the same. When I go to gatherings etc often noone feels comfortble leaving until one person says they're going and then a whole lot of people go at the same time.
If I'm really uncomfortable I just leave when I can't take the awkwardness anymore. Once many years ago I was at a bridal shower for a friend. She was the only one I knew. I felt so alien sitting there listening to the prattle I became paralyzed socially and couldn't say anything. When I made my excuses to my friend and left I literally ran down the block after I left the house. Freedom!
Joined: 23 Jan 2009 Age: 40 Gender: Male Posts: 42
27 Jun 2010, 6:02 am
hale_bopp wrote:
I think everyone is the same. When I go to gatherings etc often noone feels comfortble leaving until one person says they're going and then a whole lot of people go at the same time.
I agree. I notice with my NT family members that they are also unsure. That's about the recipe for deciding; it is usually when one person goes that everyone follows. This is because of one of two reasons: 1) the person was only intending to come for a short-time (for which their absence indicates nothing) or 2) they are showing respect for the host (for which everyone should leave).
Me, too. My main focus at parties is usually food. Once I'm full there's not a lot left to do. I have very little interest in people's chatting and can never manage to join in. I tend to keep nibbling and end up eating too much. Then I'll go to the bathroom a lot, sometimes explore the place a bit, notice all the pictures and art hanging on the walls. If there's a game I tend to watch it from the side. Sometimes I sit down with little kids and play toys together. If I'm really bored I'll try to observe people's accessories. It's always fun to guess how many carat a diamond ring is or if it's real or fake. Usually by the time I feel I have to come and sit again, some people already left. Then I'll say my kids shouldn't stay up too late and leave, too.
If you drink, you can always pretend you had enough and don't feel so good and need to go early.
Joined: 13 Feb 2010 Age: 30 Gender: Female Posts: 953
27 Jun 2010, 9:37 am
I always ask when a visit will begin and when it will end. That comes off as odd to a couple people because it is supposedly just a casual visit but I neeeeed to know So I can leave at a time that is appropriate...
I recently was asked by someone who said she was my best friend three years ago to come over for a gathering of four people (including myself) and her father was asking the whole time when we would leave.. She kept telling him five but it was very strange..
When my parents forcibly drag me to stupid boring adult parties in which imbibing voluminous quantities of alcoholic beverages is the entire point, I sit and stare at a houseplant or pet their dogs or cats.. but not their fishies. It really stinks when they don't have pets Actually sometimes it is annoying when they have little dogs because they follow me barking
ANYWAY I either follow apathetically behind my parents when they leave or I know EXACTLY when to get out. (Which feels better because it is certain..)
_________________ "If you look deeply emough into any person's soul, you can see the emu within them struggling to get out. Actually, most people don't have emus in their soul. Just me." - Invisible Dave, Lady of Emus
I think you can leave anytime. I learned in My Fun facts Coach the polite way of leaving is saying "I have to go." Sometimes people look at their watch and go "Oh look at the time, I need to get going."
My mom told me if a person is making me uncomfortable and I am sitting down and the person is right next to me, I can say "I am going to stretch my legs."
However if I am with people and we were all talking about my special interests and then all of a sudden they moved onto another topic I am not into or not interested in hearing. I stay for a few minutes so I am not being rude.
Joined: 2 Mar 2009 Age: 56 Gender: Male Posts: 6,613
28 Jun 2010, 7:23 am
I figure this based on what my parents conditioned me with.
1-2 hours AFTER the main reason you went there. If it's for dinner, usually there is socialization after eating. After 1-2 hours, it might be polite to offer to go home. Certainly the host did not expect you to stay late. It's even easier to do this if the next day is school/work and you need time to do what you do to be ready for the next day.
Joined: 9 Apr 2008 Age: 46 Gender: Male Posts: 38 Location: London
28 Jun 2010, 6:45 pm
Wuffles wrote:
Easy: AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
First time they leave you alone in a room with an open window.....
But I may be a smitch anti-social.
Often, it's a torture to wait till the soonest time possible if you mean things like parties or random pub gatherings. I don't so much mind buses, trains or shops.
Joined: 8 Jun 2008 Age: 56 Gender: Female Posts: 1,762 Location: France
28 Jun 2010, 6:51 pm
I have actually been in social situations, like parties, where I just sneak away (not from family or close friends).....I feel slightly guilty but I feel more relief that Ive escaped the situation.
I also have a hard time ending conversations on the phone....I start saying "Ok" a lot until the other person does it for me.