Do Irish people appear thick and ignorant the more you travel?

ballsymchugh

Holybejaysus wrote: »

OK, I'll try and answer this one rationally.......[Deep breath]

There are certain traits and characteristics about Ireland that you can't really see clearly until you have spent some time abroad and compared to other nations. When you are living here day in day out, you simply take these things as normal-You have become totally conditioned by your surroundings, and would probably violently disagree or dismiss any outsiders view of your 'grand' little country.

Having spent a number of years abroad amongst other cultures and then returning to Ireland, certain things stand out immediately. The following is an impartial list; it is not a point scoring exercise, or trying to take a sly dig at anyone.

It is important to note that you will find the following in every country, but they appear to be much more prevalent and noticeable in Ireland.

1. Binge Drinking-We have a serious, serious problem with binge drinking in this country. Getting absolutely hammered to the point of passing out is not considered even remotely unusual in Ireland.

2. Public urination-Whenever I am outside a nightclub or pub in the early hours and see this, it is not hard for me to realise that tourists are going to see this and think that there is a streak of a savage in the Irish population. This is really something that the Gardai should crack down on-we should be trying to eliminate this repugnant Neanderthal trait.

3.Bad language-Again, extremely common. This is something that really makes me cringe, especially when in Irish company abroad. There really is nothing more embarrassing than having your table asking to cut out the gutter mouth-the Irish are just so used to it now that they don't even realise how bad they are at it.

4. Troublemaking on public transport-For some reason, gurriers are tolerated on public transport in this country. Try getting on the Luas without witnessing some Anto or junkie hassling the average commuter. People seem to accept this as just an everyday occurance. It really shouldn't have to be like this.

I am now at the stage where I prefer to avoid a certain type of Irish citizen when travelling. I don't mind if they are a 'professional'-the kind who know when to draw the line at certain behaviour. Most people, to be fair, 'get it'. They just know how to behave themselves and how to represent the country.

But it has to be said that there is large vocal minority of Irish citizens who are an absolute embarrassment to the Irish-They seem to see things like vomiting, fighting and breaking things as a badge of honour-and they just have to let everyone know they are Irish, since 'the Irish are loved everywhere'. Result?-Bad reputation for all Irish.

The Mecca of this specimen is Bondi Junction, Sydney. This was the only place I can say I was genuinely ashamed to be Irish. They seemed to behave more like the British football hooligans than anything else. It's hard to explain unless you have been there and seen it for yourself, but once you have, you'll know exactly what I mean.

So in summary, those would be the type of people that appear thick and ignorant after travelling. Before, I wouldn't have had much of a beef with ignorant or unmannered people in this country. Now, I find myself extremely intolerant of them. And I don't think that's a bad thing, tbh.

EDIT: Don't re-quote this msge please, just say HB. It's too long to be re-quoting.

HB. did i do it right?

ah tits.

Ed Staunton

billybudd wrote: »

Not me, im not greedy, i love culture and also give to culture in what i do and also i have a child and he will be taught whats important in life, respect, manners etc etc and whats more i know alot of people like me, out of a population of four million the minority are scummy and the minority are greedy and the minority do not dictate.

i don't think you have a clue what you are talking about, the minority in this country sold your rights as an Irish person for about €90 billion and left a bunch of rude idiots who think they are wealthy urban sophisticates who look down on actually cultured people who would not sell out on their values, even to buy 80c pasta in a ****hole like Aldi.

billybudd

Ed Staunton wrote: »

Aldi is cheap cos most of it is ****e, and if you don't know that then there is little point telling you any different. It's the attitude of Irish people nowadays I have a problem with not Aldi, i suppose there's no point arguing with you when you can't read properly.

Yes like i should argue with someone who says Irish people as opposed to some Irish people.

Like any retail chain, some things will be **** and some will be good, great and excellent.

Ed Staunton

ballsymchugh wrote: »

HB. did i do it right?

ah tits.

you can't educate through the internet that's for sure, some idiot will just come out with some long winded garbage like some of the above to spoil the thread, that's why Irish people are idiots, incapable of rational intelligent conversation and oblivious to reality outside of boards.ie

billybudd

Ed Staunton wrote: »

i don't think you have a clue what you are talking about, the minority in this country sold your rights as an Irish person for about €90 billion and left a bunch of rude idiots who think they are wealthy urban sophisticates who look down on actually cultured people who would not sell out on their values, even to buy 80c pasta in a ****hole like Aldi.

My rights are fine, i am free to leave if i dont agree with what is happening, the minority sold our rights? who elected this minority? the majority? and where should i shop? a good Irish shop like Dunnes who have a distasteful way of dealing with suppliers if rumour is true or maybe superquinn? ok i shop in superquinn too, like their sausages and bread.

Ed Staunton

billybudd wrote: »

Yes like i should argue with someone who says Irish people as opposed to some Irish people.

Like any retail chain, some things will be **** and some will be good, great and excellent.

The majority of Irish people are poorly educated, have no understanding of their own culture and would rather shop in Aldi then understand the courage honour and integrity that defined this country in the past! I mean your singing the praises of Aldi on a thread about are Irish people thick and ignorant seeming when you have travelled a bit! can you not see how dumb that is?

billybudd

Ed Staunton wrote: »

i don't think you have a clue what you are talking about, the minority in this country sold your rights as an Irish person for about €90 billion and left a bunch of rude idiots who think they are wealthy urban sophisticates who look down on actually cultured people who would not sell out on their values, even to buy 80c pasta in a ****hole like Aldi.

Ironic seeing as you are being aggressive and rude.

billybudd

Ed Staunton wrote: »

The majority of Irish people are poorly educated, have no understanding of their own culture and would rather shop in Aldi then understand the courage honour and integrity that defined this country in the past! I mean your singing the praises of Aldi on a thread about are Irish people thick and ignorant seeming when you have travelled a bit! can you not see how dumb that is?

Is this the Aldi that out of all major retail shops sell the most Irish produced produce?


Also i would love nothing better than to see big vibrant Irish farmer markets in every major town and city in Ireland and open six days per week and i also on a frequent basis badger my local TD's why this isnt a possibilty in the old fish market in smithfield.

Ed Staunton

billybudd wrote: »

My rights are fine, i am free to leave if i dont agree with what is happening, the minority sold our rights? who elected this minority? the majority? and where should i shop? a good Irish shop like Dunnes who have a distasteful way of dealing with suppliers if rumour is true or maybe superquinn? ok i shop in superquinn too, like their sausages and bread.

you should shop wherever the hell you want, this is about Irish people seeming to be thick and ignorant to those who have travelled, not Aldi and Dunnes. In your last post you said the minorty don't dictate, now you are saying the minority did dictate our fate in the boom ergo, the majority of Irish people are thick and elect scumbags who sold my country to developers and banks for €90 billion, but again that is not the issue, my experience of Irish people is that they will try and con you at every turn (try buying something on adverts.ie, or they will just ignore you altogether if you don't have the same lack of culture that they do. They think being posh and having class means buying 80c pasta in Aldi for feck sake lol.

Ed Staunton

billybudd wrote: »

Is this the Aldi that out of all major retail shops sell the most Irish produced produce?


Also i would love nothing better than to see big vibrant Irish farmer markets in every major town and city in Ireland and open six days per week and i also on a frequent basis badger my local TD's why this isnt a possibilty in the old fish market in smithfield.

No this is the Aldi that sells utter ****e, again Aldi is not the issue here!! it's its customers who shop there who seem to think they are highly sophisticated and intelligent people but are shopping somewhere that sells sausages with 27% pork in them. Basically what I'm trying to say to you is that irish people are uncultured and completely consumer driven, their culture is buying crap in Aldi nowadays then talking about it.

billybudd

Ed Staunton wrote: »

you should shop wherever the hell you want, this is about Irish people seeming to be thick and ignorant to those who have travelled, not Aldi and Dunnes. In your last post you said the minorty don't dictate, now you are saying the minority did dictate our fate in the boom ergo, the majority of Irish people are thick and elect scumbags who sold my country to developers and banks for €90 billion, but again that is not the issue, my experience of Irish people is that they will try and con you at every turn (try buying something on adverts.ie, or they will just ignore you altogether if you don't have the same lack of culture that they do. They think being posh and having class means buying 80c pasta in Aldi for feck sake lol.

I am not posh.

The minority where elected by the majority, so yes the majority in effect made that decision.

I have traveled alot and most people have the same ideals, problems, reasons, etc etc etc.

Then leave ffs

MANUTD99

I remember asking an Irish lad I met in India how long he was planning to stay in India. He replied "till I find myself". What a ****ing knob jockey I thought.

I remember a staying in a hostel in Sydney where I had to get up early for work but the Irish that were staying there made it impossible to get a decent sleep cos they were partying all the time.

I'm 50/50 on this debate. I really missed Ireland after 3 years and was glad when I came home. No place like home and all that. You can build yourself up to be Billy Big Bollocks and after a couple of pints back home you get brought back to earth and I love that.

The drinking culture or the Irish (myself included in this at times) blew most other nationalities out of the water. The Irish never had a stop button. Really drunk Irish people abroad are as bad as the Brits abroad.

Ed Staunton

billybudd wrote: »

Ironic seeing as you are being aggressive and rude.

I am being blunt and honest, but that's come to be a typical reply that signifys when an Irish person can't tell the difference. Enjoy your 80c pasta instead of having a culture.

billybudd

Ed Staunton wrote: »

No this is the Aldi that sells utter ****e, again Aldi is not the issue here!! it's its customers who shop there who seem to think they are highly sophisticated and intelligent people but are shopping somewhere that sells sausages with 27% pork in them. Basically what I'm trying to say to you is that irish people are uncultured and completely consumer driven, their culture is buying crap in Aldi nowadays then talking about it.

I buy first rare breed pork sausages from a farm in meath, i buy some in superquinn too if the farmer cant supply them, somethings in aldi are good some are crap dont see very many D&G handbags in there, in fact the minority are Irish shoppers and the majority would be people from other countries as far as i can tell.

Solair

Holybejaysus wrote: »

OK, I'll try and answer this one rationally.......[Deep breath]

There are certain traits and characteristics about Ireland that you can't really see clearly until you have spent some time abroad and compared to other nations. When you are living here day in day out, you simply take these things as normal-You have become totally conditioned by your surroundings, and would probably violently disagree or dismiss any outsiders view of your 'grand' little country.

Having spent a number of years abroad amongst other cultures and then returning to Ireland, certain things stand out immediately. The following is an impartial list; it is not a point scoring exercise, or trying to take a sly dig at anyone.

It is important to note that you will find the following in every country, but they appear to be much more prevalent and noticeable in Ireland.

1. Binge Drinking-We have a serious, serious problem with binge drinking in this country. Getting absolutely hammered to the point of passing out is not considered even remotely unusual in Ireland.

2. Public urination-Whenever I am outside a nightclub or pub in the early hours and see this, it is not hard for me to realise that tourists are going to see this and think that there is a streak of a savage in the Irish population. This is really something that the Gardai should crack down on-we should be trying to eliminate this repugnant Neanderthal trait.

3.Bad language-Again, extremely common. This is something that really makes me cringe, especially when in Irish company abroad. There really is nothing more embarrassing than having your table asking to cut out the gutter mouth-the Irish are just so used to it now that they don't even realise how bad they are at it.

4. Troublemaking on public transport-For some reason, gurriers are tolerated on public transport in this country. Try getting on the Luas without witnessing some Anto or junkie hassling the average commuter. People seem to accept this as just an everyday occurance. It really shouldn't have to be like this.

I am now at the stage where I prefer to avoid a certain type of Irish citizen when travelling. I don't mind if they are a 'professional'-the kind who know when to draw the line at certain behaviour. Most people, to be fair, 'get it'. They just know how to behave themselves and how to represent the country.

But it has to be said that there is large vocal minority of Irish citizens who are an absolute embarrassment to the Irish-They seem to see things like vomiting, fighting and breaking things as a badge of honour-and they just have to let everyone know they are Irish, since 'the Irish are loved everywhere'. Result?-Bad reputation for all Irish.

The Mecca of this specimen is Bondi Junction, Sydney. This was the only place I can say I was genuinely ashamed to be Irish. They seemed to behave more like the British football hooligans than anything else. It's hard to explain unless you have been there and seen it for yourself, but once you have, you'll know exactly what I mean.

So in summary, those would be the type of people that appear thick and ignorant after travelling. Before, I wouldn't have had much of a beef with ignorant or unmannered people in this country. Now, I find myself extremely intolerant of them. And I don't think that's a bad thing, tbh.

EDIT: Don't re-quote this msge please, just say HB. It's too long to be re-quoting.

I lived in Belgium -- all of the above applies there too, especially the public urination! They even have a statue of public urination in Brussels they're so proud of it! Whole place wreaks of urine though in the central metro stations etc etc..

I don't think the binge-drinking thing is unique to Ireland. It's pretty bad in Ireland, but it's similar in most of England and Northern Europe in my experience anyway.

As for bad language, Europeans in general curse and swear a lot more than puritanical Americans tend to.

If you've ever listened to a French person speaking, or a Spaniard, every second word is swearing

French sounds all polite and nice until you actually understand what's being said! It's littered with swearing most of the time. Spanish is even rougher.

Same in England too, particularly outside of polite company.

Even New England's pretty fond of the F-word.

Ed Staunton

billybudd wrote: »

[/B]

I am not posh.

The minority where elected by the majority, so yes the majority in effect made that decision.

I have traveled alot and most people have the same ideals, problems, reasons, etc etc etc.

I never said you were posh! I was talking about people who think they are but have no concept of culture or value or substance whatsoever, they are just drones buying 80c pasta week in week out who think they are sophisticated for wearing Gucci sunglasses!

billybudd

Ed Staunton wrote: »

I am being blunt and honest, but that's come to be a typical reply that signifys when an Irish person can't tell the difference. Enjoy your 80c pasta instead of having a culture.

No i can see quite clearly and a person with true ideals regarding culture needs no social standing or lavish bank account. you are being agressive and rude because you cannot articulate your arguement in a clear and precise manner.

Micky Dolenz

Why are you obsessed with Aldi? Did someone there touch you inappropriately?

SPQRI

slum dog wrote: »

Do Irish people appear thick and ignorant the more you travel?

You don't have to travel too far to answer that question.

Just read some of the posts & attitudes here!
That should answer your question.

Ed Staunton

billybudd wrote: »

I buy first rare breed pork sausages from a farm in meath, i buy some in superquinn too if the farmer cant supply them, somethings in aldi are good some are crap dont see very many D&G handbags in there, in fact the minority are Irish shoppers and the majority would be people from other countries as far as i can tell.

I mean your just going to keep talking about ****ing shopping here aren't you so end of, mind yourself.

billybudd

Ed Staunton wrote: »

I never said you were posh! I was talking about people who think they are but have no concept of culture or value or substance whatsoever, they are just drones buying 80c pasta week in week out who think they are sophisticated for wearing Gucci sunglasses!

Well i am Irish and i buy 80 cents pasta from aldi so i can only assume you mean people like me.

Ed Staunton

billybudd wrote: »

No i can see quite clearly and a person with true ideals regarding culture needs no social standing or lavish bank account. you are being agressive and rude because you cannot articulate your arguement in a clear and precise manner.

You have mis-interperted everything I am saying here so there is obviously no point arguing further with you. I agree with you on this at least, Irish people think class means wealth and social standing and what you drive, there is another type of class defined by courage and doing whats right that is an alien concept to those people, integrity, honesty, courage that used to define us as a Nation. Now we define ourselves by where we shope and it truely breaks my ****ing Irish heart.

BensonSlide

Ed Staunton wrote: »

You have mis-interperted everything I am saying here so there is obviously no point arguing further with you. I agree with you on this at least, Irish people think class means wealth and social standing and what you drive, there is another type of class defined by courage and doing whats right that is an alien concept to those people, integrity, honesty, courage that used to define us as a Nation. Now we define ourselves by where we shope and it truely breaks my ****ing Irish heart.

Give us an example of how you exude this class, Ed. Enlighten us uncouth and vulgar savages.

Solair

To me, the fact that the person wearing the Gucci sunglasses might buy groceries in Aldi just says that he/she isn't a horrendous snob and is picking things out because he/she likes them and not because of the price tag.

In general, you'll find people who are secure and confident in themselves don't have huge complexes about where they buy pasta!

They just buy pasta where they like it at a good price and buy sunglasses that they actually like. Maybe they picked them up in TKMax or online or whatever who knows.

It's annoying snobs that get freaked out over things like shopping in a discount supermarket or an outlet mall or whatever.

See : Hyacinth Bucket from the old UK sitcom Keeping Up Appearances for a good illustration of that kind of person. They'd drive you around the twist!

billybudd

Ed Staunton wrote: »

You have mis-interperted everything I am saying here so there is obviously no point arguing further with you. I agree with you on this at least, Irish people think class means wealth and social standing and what you drive, there is another type of class defined by courage and doing whats right that is an alien concept to those people, integrity, honesty, courage that used to define us as a Nation. Now we define ourselves by where we shope and it truely breaks my ****ing Irish heart.

Ed, i agree with somethings you say, but the problem i have is when you say Irish people as opposed to some Irish people.

Money and wealth do not equate to being posh or above someone else.

Having manners, respect for other people and empathy go along way to having a good modest character.

Butterface

I'm living in a town in the English midlands. The lady that served me in Tesco asked me if I got a train from Ireland, and a guy who I met at university asked me if there was a bridge from Ireland to England. I also find that Irish people are more engaged with politics and current affairs than the English I've met here.

ballsymchugh

Ed Staunton wrote: »

you can't educate through the internet that's for sure, some idiot will just come out with some long winded garbage like some of the above to spoil the thread, that's why Irish people are idiots, incapable of rational intelligent conversation and oblivious to reality outside of boards.ie

the post that i quoted was absolute bollox. i live in a town just outside london, and the stuff in that post is just an average night out here.

stuff that happens in ireland and to irish people also happens in plenty of other places in the world and to other people shocker..

smurgen

slum dog wrote: »

having to return to this country makes me realise how much i thought a normal up bringing was, wasnt. theres so many supid ignorant narrow minded people in this country who fear anything outside the norm that sometimes i find it difficult to breath

No not at all.i used think that until i travelled. I visited a region here in Switzerland called The Jura which is a mountain region and sweet jesus The people there were like extras from The Hills Have Eyes-total banjo country!fellas there would make a Kerry farmer look like a metro sexual.

They dont like blacks and dont trust outsiders.i talked to a scottish fella who lived there for 9 months,He said he drank in The same local bar there for 6 months and not once did anyone talk to him.

UCDVet

slum dog wrote: »

Do Irish people appear thick and ignorant the more you travel?

It's a big world.

You can travel places that would make Ireland seem like the Athens of our time - you can visit places without many of the freedoms we take for granted, without any social protections, with out-right criminal corruption at every level of the government, where racism and sexism is encouraged and religious persecution is the status-quo.

But you probably didn't go there.

Most people who travel go to nice destinations in first-world countries. They visit places where other tourists go, even if they work abroad, they work in places where it's common. They don't experience the 'bad' parts of the country and are mostly insulted from the 'thick and ignorant' people.

Grayson

After I got back travelling, I didn't see irish people as thick and ignorant. But I have to admit that when i moved away from home first, I looked back at the small town I was from and thought they were an incredibly isolated/sheltered/insular commmunity.

I grew up in the middle of the country, went to a small country school etc... Most of the people I was in primary school with stayed in the area. Most didn't go to college and the few that did went back to the town afterwards and became auctioneers, accountants etc.

They married girls/guys who were from the area and settled down. None of them went travelling and the furthest they'd go is (maybe) up to dublin once a year to do some shopping.

I wouldn't say travelling opened my mind. I know I've been loads of places and seen some really cool things. But I'm still pretty much the same person i was when i left. But I would say moving away from that town changed me. The people I grew up with are nice, good humoured people. But the world outside their county doesn't really exist.

Grayson

UCDVet wrote: »

It's a big world.

You can travel places that would make Ireland seem like the Athens of our time - you can visit places without many of the freedoms we take for granted, without any social protections, with out-right criminal corruption at every level of the government, where racism and sexism is encouraged and religious persecution is the status-quo.

But you probably don't go there.

Most people who travel go to nice destinations in first-world countries. They visit places where other tourists go, even if they work abroad, they work in places where it's common. They don't experience the 'bad' parts of the country and are mostly insulted from the 'thick and ignorant' people.

I don't think the OP was denying that. I think he just meant that after you've seen a bit of the world, You arrive home and everything seems a bit provincial. I think that happens to anyone who leaves the area they grew up in.
(except for Cork people. Cos nowhere's better than Caarrrrk )

GalwayGuy2

Also i would love nothing better than to see big vibrant Irish farmer markets in every major town and city in Ireland and open six days per week and i also on a frequent basis badger my local TD's why this isnt a possibilty in the old fish market in smithfield

I don't really care about buying Irish, but it is annoying how it's only open (in Galway City) on Saturday and Bank Holidays. I guess farmers gotta work, but I've heard there's all sorts of food there now, not just local Irish produce. It'd be great if I could actually pop in while i'm in the city:P

it's its customers who shop there who seem to think they are highly sophisticated and intelligent people but are shopping somewhere that sells sausages with 27% pork in them

Okay, 16 pack of Denny sausages cost about 3.00 ish, in aldi a 16 pack of (Irsh as well) sausages cost 2.00. The Denny is 56 percent and the aldi is 70 percent. And the pasta deal sounds bril. I could go up and get worse pasta for alot more?

Tesco asked me if I got a train from Ireland,

Can't you get a train from England to France?

astral8

I think its the *small island mentality* ~~ irish people are very clever, however i find the problem lies with lack of originality somehow ~ people often need to travel some to become more *world wise* ?

Leftist

oh yes.

Looking from the outside in and we look even more friendly but also more thick.

It's unusual that a people can be so hospitable yet have such obnoxious social problems.

That comes from stupidity. Misunderstanding situations and over inflated egos which comes with the thick package.

astral8

^^^^
totally agree with this. in my opinion irish people are the friendliest race ive ever dealt with. yes it is like a double edged sword somehow that an element of the irish do have lots of social problems...drink far too much, are small minded and swear too much . Hopefully as time goes on and more cultures move over, this will improve?

joydivision

What people that travel dont realise is everyone they meet on their travels is still in the getting to know you being nice stage .
When they get home they meet friends that are past all that and treat them like a normal person .
They arnt used to this and curse the place .
Being told about a holiday is boring unless something really out of the ordinary happened . On your travels other travellers are into that sort of thing and because they are in the getting to know you stage pretend to want to hear about a scuba diving class you did in austrailia .
You dont go to the slums on your travels either . John from tallaght cruising around south thailand isnt going to be sat in a ****y pub with people like mick his junkie neighbour that hates pakistani people .
This in his snooty new attitude makes him think everyone in Ireland is like mich his neighbour and everyone in dachau is like that swedish girl that was a bit lonely one week and had coffee with him a few times .

I hole this clears things up for you op . Now go take them sandals off and wash your feet .

robbiezero

Ed Staunton wrote: »

You have mis-interperted everything I am saying here so there is obviously no point arguing further with you. I agree with you on this at least, Irish people think class means wealth and social standing and what you drive, there is another type of class defined by courage and doing whats right that is an alien concept to those people, integrity, honesty, courage that used to define us as a Nation. Now we define ourselves by where we shope and it truely breaks my ****ing Irish heart.

Did we (generalization) used to be different, pennies in a greasy till and all that?