The Drawn-Out 'Midwest Goodbye' Ritual Explained

The famously long farewells common across the Midwest region can last for hours, filled with hugs, small talk, and repeated attempts to exit.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:11am

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The 'Midwest goodbye' is a regional exit ritual in America that is the opposite of the 'Irish goodbye' - it involves a prolonged process of leaving that can take hours, filled with hugs, small talk, and repeated attempts to exit even as leftovers are pushed on the person heading out. The term has become a cultural shorthand for these famously long farewells common across the Midwest, sometimes dubbed the 'Minnesota goodbye' as a reflection of the region's reputation for generous hosting and hard-to-refuse food offers.

Why it matters

The drawn-out 'Midwest goodbye' reflects something deeper than just habit - it is seen as a pure sign of comfort, enjoyment, and care when exiting a social setting, a way to show respect and appreciation for the host and their hospitality. However, it can also be rather exhausting for those trying to leave.

The details

The 'Midwest goodbye' ritual often plays out at the end of a meal, starting with a knee slap and saying 'Welp, I s'pose' to signal one is about to leave. From there, the process drags on as guests stand up, search for their coats, exchange hugs, and get pulled back into the conversation. Even reaching the door doesn't guarantee an exit, as conversations can continue in the driveway or even after the car is started. Comedian Charlie Berens has popularized the ritual, joking about its recognizable steps.

  • In a 2023 comedy special, Berens described the 'Midwest goodbye' ritual.

The players

Charlie Berens

A comedian who has popularized the 'Midwest goodbye' ritual, joking about its recognizable steps.

Richie Frieman

A Baltimore-based author and etiquette expert known as the 'Modern Manners Guy' who has commented on the 'Midwest goodbye' ritual.

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What they’re saying

“The Midwest goodbye is the purest sign of comfort, enjoyment and care when it comes to exiting a social setting.”

— Richie Frieman, Etiquette Expert

“One does not simply cut off a Midwest goodbye. The only way out is through.”

— Anonymous Reddit User

The takeaway

The 'Midwest goodbye' ritual, while drawn-out and sometimes exhausting, reflects a deeper cultural value of hospitality, respect, and appreciation in the Midwest region. While it may be tempting to try to cut it short, the best approach is to embrace the ritual and make the most of the extended farewell.