As many Love Stories readers would know, farewell meals for colleagues can sometimes be awkward events. The leaver may rate themselves lucky to have sufficient time to set up a gathering, bearing in mind the turn of events in many cases. But where an opportunity to arrange a farewell exists, the rite of passage is its own recommendation.

Frequently, the person saying goodbye – despite the turn of events – wishes to express thanks and gratitude to a team or to individuals and they wish to return the compliment.

Since few social occasions flourish in an atmosphere of recrimination and bitterness, the watchword for the duration is to put the role of host above personal considerations. As far as the wording of any invitation or any goodbye speech is concerned, a judicious sense of limits will make life more comfortable for others.

What has to be remembered is that many raising their glasses are hoping to maintain loyalties to the company and, perhaps, the person who was responsible for the sacking.

Nevertheless, cracks about office politics and who schmoozes the boss are part of the culture of the occasion. Wit and humour blessedly allow people to take risks without causing grief.

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