A slightly inane etiquette question.

kimheartsscott · April 2010

Is it inappropriate to throw a going away party for someone who will be gone for 2 months? I have only been to one going away party for someone who was leaving the country for over 2 years, and I guess I'm just worried 2 months doesn't constitute throwing a party.

Most of the people who would be attending the party see the man-of-the-hour at least once a week, so I'm more wondering about the people who may not see him but every 2 months anyway thinking this is weird. It would all be very casual; finger foods, afternoon and probably poolside.

Feel free to tell me I am way over-thinking this.

Sunshine9463 · April 2010

I think you are over thinking this. If you want to have a party, have a party! I am a fan of festivities for any reason, though.

Actually, we (I mean my family and me by "we") did this for FI before he left for his internship in New Zealand. He was gone about 3 months, and we only invited close friends; those with which his interaction would actually be affected.

That said, if it is a small amount of invitees that wouldn't normally notice the absence of the honoree, I think it's fine. As long as they live close to the party and it's a casual thing, the more the merrier.

BTW, this is solely based on my opinion. No etiquette expertise to give you on this.

danieliza1127 · April 2010

I think a going away party for someone that is leaving for 2 months is pretty weird and unnecessary, but I never have a problem with a party with my good friends. I might just call it a regular ole' party or get together though, not a "going away party".

CMJ&MDL2010 · April 2010

I don't think being away for two months constitutes "going away" or "farewell" as most people would understand it. I worked abroad for two months, and it would have seemed weird to me to get a "going away" party in advance.

But you really don't need any excuse to have a casual party!!! I would suggest simply throwing the party to "send off" the guy. Among my friends, we often do something special for someone about to leave town for a while, i.e. I have brunch every Sunday with friends, and we went to a hotel for a more deluxe brunch buffet to see him off for a six month posting.

I don't know, "going away" just has a more final ring to it, to me anyways ... I would go with a "send off" party ... :-)

sarah0725 · April 2010

I kind of agree with the weirdness, but I also agree with the idea that one should take any excuse to party. Why is he going away? Is it a really exciting reason?

I like the idea of keeping it small, to people who actually see him all the time, and maybe not call it a going away party.

JanoBean75 · April 2010

If you want a party, just call it something else: Bon Voyage, Good Luck, Congrats on [reason for going away].

To me "going away" is long-term or permanent. Not 8 weeks.

JessAndTrav · April 2010

As usual, I agree with Dani.

K Byte · April 2010

We had a party for a friend who was going away for 3 months just because parties are awesome.

ZRex · April 2010

I went to a going away party for someone who was leaving for two months, and it wasn't weird at all. I usually only see this friend every couple of months.

opalsky007 · April 2010

We're actually throwing a going away party next weekend. A friend of ours will be going to Antarctica to do climate research for a couple of months, and since he'll be majorly out of touch for so long, we wanted to send him off in style.

A slightly inane etiquette question.

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