Have a ‘safe’ journey

My "go to" phrase on waving goodbye to anybody for a long trip is "have a peaceful journey". I think that covers any eventuality.

I have learned to not say "drive safely" as my sons go out the door as I just get withering looks to imply they are hardly likely to drive dangerously !

I've always supposed "Have a safe journey" was a shortened version of "I hope you have a safe journey". Anyone taking offence at that needs their head seeing to ?

I think one needs to use broad interpretations for such utterances instead of looking for something that might be wring with them.

I agree some can be trained in parrot fashion but even that is for a good purpose. I think good intention matters and unless it's obvious good intention isnt' there, then we should assume it is and be gracious.

Where I do voluntary work, most people I see are not in a good place. I feel it would be almost insulting to wish them a safe journey or to enjoy the rest of their day, because I already know how hard their days or their journeys are. Too trite and unthinking.
But fine to wish a friend or family member a safe journey.

Grannyknot of course some people are having good days it’s just at very dark times in my life these words have been said to me and I thought if only they knew. I smile and say thank you.

I think what annoys me in particular is that the training staff get leads to them saying exactly the same thing every time a customer departs and I realise they are saying it parrot fashion.

TLV gran 48... I say that too !

Love the SA "Go Well" ... that says it all !

My mother always says "Mind how you go" - putting the onus on me to drive/cycle/travel safely.

Teetime is right. These phrases are meant kindly and I suppose we should be grateful we have others to care.

Sorry. I didn’t read the OP properly. Just something I hate hearing.
I don’t mind safe journey or drive carefully etc. as they are well meant.

“Chill”. Makes me fume?

Sorry I'm another who's been saying 'Safe journey' literally for decades. I also say 'Take care' rather than Goodbye (which is 'God be with you'). The sales assistant in a shop said 'Take care' to me as I left just now, and it made me smile.

I say 'Happy Landings', but haven't heard anyone else using the phrase for ages...still, I feel it's a bit more cheerful than fly safe etc.

The South Africans' have a saying "Go well" which I think covers all sorts of good wishes for a journey.

Forward lash missing between good and pleasant

Have never really thought about it before, I suppose ‘have a safe journey’ sounds like you have a choice. You could be a very careful driver but if you meet a reckless one on a sharp bend....
Have a good pleasant journey sounds better (again not in our control)

Until my children were about twelve, I used to say "watch crossing the road" every time they left the house. I felt if I didn't say it I would tempt fate. Lets face it. We are all full of fear for our loved ones.

At last someone agrees with me.

I usually say, 'Have a good journey' or 'take care' if the weather is bad and the traffic likely to be heavy.

As a holiday rep we were told when saying goodbye to guests NEVER, EVER wish them a safe journey, as this puts possible risks in mind. We always used pleasant journey.

Shows people care about you

In Scotland there's a saying 'ca canny' which means go well or take care. I like it!

If OH and I part I always find myself saying "Go carefully" to him. I hope it shows him I care and he'll also take care of himself.

I do wish people a pleasant journey too, hoping they don't have delays at airports or meet traffic jams on the roads. It could also mean I hope terrorists don't strike, or a building doesn't collapse, or they're not involved in an incident, etc, I suppose, but I cannot imagine why wishing people well can ever be offensive?

It's just a modern version of bon voyage, surely? After all, when we say goodbye, we're also saying 'God be with you'.

We all say these things when what we mean is ' we care about you'. Its very innocuous better than no-one saying anything at all.

On Friday, at the end of a long and busy working week my son came to visit for dinner and then attend a concert given by his grandmother. Afterwards we had a family gathering and my son left us at about midnight for his journey home. I did indeed tell him to drive safely (because I knew he was tired and it's a busy motorway he has to drive on) and also to send me a text when he was safely home. My words were not casually said - I really did want him to take extra care.

Blimey! Who knew I’ve been giving offence to people like the OP for years !!!!

I’m with Baggs !

NanKate so because some people are coping with difficult lives, does that mean there can be nothing good about their day for example via a cheery greeting from a friendly sales person (who is probably just following instructions).