I've always wondered why people use the platitudes "Be safe!" and "Drive safe!" when exchanging goodbyes. Think of the alternative: Be reckless? Drive crazy? To me, these lines always fall short, and make me think that the person saying them isn't being sincere. If you want to say goodbye to me, or wish me well, go ahead. Just don't tell me to be safe. Have I ever led you to believe I would do otherwise?
To sort of subtly hint at my disdain for this phrase, when someone says either of these to me, I usually respond with, "But I'd rather be/drive reckless!" Usually, it takes people a minute to get what I'm saying, which I like. How exactly am I supposed to respond?
So please, when saying goodbye to me, don't tell me to be safe. You know that I will be. Why don't you try wishing me well instead?
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