At 7 PM, wandering the streets in search of vegetarian fare, I chanced upon a cozy restaurant recommended by a quick Google search on my recent visit to Tokyo. Inside, a modest crowd of four diners, along with a chef and a woman who I assumed was the owner, filled the intimate space.
I had barely settled with the thought of perhaps taking my meal to go when my drink arrived. The owner and the chef approached with bright smiles, raising their glasses to say "Kanpai," a gesture I understood meant "cheers." This simple gesture instantly transformed my solo meal into a shared celebration, tethering me to the moment and to this new, welcoming community.
When it was time to leave, I was surprised by the heartfelt farewells from the chef and other diners.
In many cultures, farewells are as significant as greetings. As I prepared to leave this restaurant, the warmth of the farewell I received was as heartwarming as the meal. The owner, and his wife walked to the door with me to say bye. But wait… they ended by waving bye, not just at the door but until I was a speck in the distance! This simple attempt of wanting to fill the space in between us with “understanding”, was pure magic to me. Do we always succeed in understanding people that come into our space and lives? From all their lived experiences, different upbringing, language, etc.? No. And that is okay because the answer lies in the depth of our attempt.
Creating Inviting Departures
This experience inspired me to think about the importance of saying goodbye in a meaningful way. Whether you're leaving a restaurant, a neighborhood, a gathering, an event, someone’s house, a warm farewell can create a positive and memorable experience.
The Psychology of Parting
Goodbyes, often underestimated, play a crucial role in human interaction. They're more than a formality, right? More so of a profound psychological moment that can affirm relationships and set the tone for future engagements. A meaningful departure makes the last impression—often the lasting impression—creating a psychological bookmark in our memories of that interaction.
A warm farewell can leave a lasting impression and help to build stronger communities. Reflecting on my restaurant experience parallel with our STOPS events and gatherings, I've realized that the ingredients of a memorable bye-bye are acknowledgment, gestures, mementos, appreciation, and plenty of smiles — are essential in fostering return visits and nurturing community ties. These gestures of farewell are powerful tools that invite a future 'welcome back,' enhancing the community spirit and interconnectedness at the heart of all our interactions at STOPS! Join us one of our upcoming events and see it for yourself!
