Why do people leave the church before the priest?

No, it is not rude, from the moment the Priest says "Go in peace" we can leave the church.

Most people are in hurry these days. They don't want to waste a minute that's why they go before the priest.

Hmm I do not recall ever doing that.

If you want to wait until the priest change from his liturgical garments into street clothes.

It's custom and tradition that priests or pastors stay behind or are the last ones to go. Sometimes, parishioners or church goers wait for people to leave when they need to talk to their pastor or priest for some prayer or counseling.

we do go out while the pastor is on the front door greeting us and saying goodbye it is normal I guess?

People are in a big hurry all the time.

Maybe they aren’t aware of the custom to let the priest go first. I would have taken what he said literally and left to

That is interesting maybe they just wanted a quick word with god without the sermon.

I heard a minister say, “How do we sit in here listening to Christian love then try to kill one another in the parking lot trying to get out?” It’s funny about that, in a sad way, isn’t it. We have a lot of sports facilities here, and (except in Los Angeles, where it’s almost a tradition to come late and leave early) you don’t see people leaving early. No, they’ll come 2-3 hours before a football game (our football, not soccer) and “tailgate,” then they’ll stay after the game and celebrate. Only when it’s a “blowout” might people leave early. But they can’t give God 45 minutes?