When it comes to leaving a party, are you the first to go or the last to leave?

B Natural answer

It depends on the crowd and how good the party is, but I usually stay a bit longer than I planned. I like to arrive with an exit strategy, yet once I'm there, I tend to relax and enjoy myself. If the music is good and the conversation is flowing, I'll often say my goodbyes properly and then linger for another twenty minutes anyway. I think that's partly politeness and partly just not wanting to cut things off too abruptly. At the same time, I'm pretty good at read the room. If people are winding down, I won't force it and pretend I'm having the time of my life. I'd rather leave while the atmosphere is still pleasant than stay so late that everyone is yawning. So overall, I'm not the first one out, but I'm not the final guest standing around with empty glasses either. I leave after I feel I've had enough, which usually feels like the right balance.

Key phrases in this answer

• stay a bit longer — remain for extra time after you planned to leave.“I'll stay a bit longer if people are still having fun.”
• say my goodbyes properly — leave after greeting, thanking, or talking to people first.“I always say my goodbyes properly before I go.”
• read the room — sense the mood and respond appropriately.“You have to read the room at a party.”
• head out early — leave before other people or before the planned end.“I might head out early if I have an early meeting.”
• get stuck in a long chat — end up talking much longer than you intended.“I got stuck in a long chat with my old classmate.”
• the last person on the dance floor — the final person still dancing when others have stopped.“He was the last person on the dance floor.”