Retirement speeches should summarise a working life

Depending on their attitude people can eitheropportunities that lie ahead.  Sometimes family
dread their retirement or look forward to it withmembers will be present and it is fitting that they
great anticipation. Retirement speeches from ashould be mentioned. Retirement speeches from
retiree will show to which camp he or she belongs.the retiree should end on a positive and upbeat
Retirement means a great life change andnote.
retirement speeches should reflect that.  ForThe same applies to retirement speeches to the
those who dread it their retirement speeches willretiree. They should be cheerful and optimistic
be dull and uninteresting.  They will only look onlyabout the future. A boss or colleague should do
to the past. For those who look forward theirsome homework on the retiree before speaking.
retirement speeches will be full of hope. After allOtherwise the speech will be banal and its
our working lives give us little opportunity andsentiments will have been heard before.  So
time to do the things we most enjoy.  So it iswhatever colleague is speaking should speak of
fitting that such speeches reflect that fact.the actual individual contribution made by the
It is important too that retirees speak of theiremployee.   Obviously that will include the work
work and the colleagues and friends they havedone by the retiree. It should though also include,
made through that work. This is especially true iffor instance, his or her kindness or generosity. 
they have spent many years working for theYour might speak too about his or her sense of
same company.  It is especially gracious if theyhumour which you could say was greatly
mention such unsung heroes and heroines as theappreciated by everyone in the office. Such
janitor or a cleaner or tea lady, people they mayretirement speeches will usually end with the 
have known for forty years.  Obviously they willpresentation of a gift.
speak kindly of their boss and those with whomWhether you are giving a retirement speech
they work closely.because a colleague is retiring or because you are
This is a time for reminiscences. Retirementretiring it should include a touch of humour. That
speeches will certainly be better if the retireecoupled with some nostalgia, mention of
speaks of something amusing or strange thatfriendships made and plans for the future will
happened over the years of their working lives. ensure that those retirement speeches are a little
It is a time too to speak of the challenges andout of the ordinary.