People who grew up in Ireland calling it Boxing Day?

Lord TSC · 28-12-2011 12:34pm

cloneslad wrote: »

The majority of my friends call it boxing day, as do I. Even friends who consider thmselves to have strong republican ideas.

It's not an anti Irish thing by the british, it's just what the day is called there (and in other commonwealth countries) so we shouldn't be offended by it. We call it boxing day because we were brought up watching BBC, UTV and Channel 4, the Irish stations used to have a pretty poor signal (still do if you don't have saorview)

This for me.

I rarely watch RTE (though more due to quality rather than signal strenght) so everything I watch refers to it as Boxing Day; Boxing Day Football being top of the list. Given I spend so much time on English forums as well, it's easier to call it Boxing Day. It's more convienent.

Seanchai · 28-12-2011 12:42pm

Some people might just as well call themselves English for the degree of English cultural saturation in their lives. It does however help to explain why they go on rants against culturally Irish things like the Irish language on other fora. Some serious inferiority complex going on there.

The very idea that a term being used on British tv would result in an Irish person who watches those programmes using the term is fascinating in an 'I can't believe some people are so simple' way.

Nothingbetter2d · 28-12-2011 12:48pm

Liam Byrne wrote: »

An episode of EastEnders?

if ye saw the amount for women in Carlow town fighting on "Boxing Day" night you'd see why it's called boxing day

GKidd · 28-12-2011 2:15pm

Don't disappoint these people. Punch them in the face if they continue this madness.

AEDIC · 28-12-2011 3:29pm

Seanchai wrote: »

Some people might just as well call themselves English for the degree of English cultural saturation in their lives. It does however help to explain why they go on rants against culturally Irish things like the Irish language on other fora. Some serious inferiority complex going on there.

The very idea that a term being used on British tv would result in an Irish person who watches those programmes using the term is fascinating in an 'I can't believe some people are so simple' way.

Same could be said though for the rampant 'Americanisms' that are alive and well in everyday conversation in Ireland (sadly)

Johnny Foreigner · 28-12-2011 4:00pm

hondasam wrote: »

I don't know anyone who says Boxing day apart from myself and I'm usually corrected and told it's St Stephen's day in Ireland.

Of topic how many posters watched the Queens speech on Christmas day?

Its funny you should ask that.
My parents were Republicans, and they would always watch the Queens speech on Christmas Day! I always found that ironic as they professed to hate the Queen and Margaret Thatcher when I was a child.
My Aunt and Uncle were Volunteers during the Troubles, and they too watched the Queens speech every year. My Mother and my Aunt seemed to take great pleasure in it.

woodoo · 28-12-2011 4:12pm

GKidd wrote: »

Don't disappoint these people. Punch them in the face if they continue this madness.

I hope you are not one of those hypocrites who cheer on Man Utd or Liverpood down the pub.

bodhrandude · 28-12-2011 4:34pm

Spunge wrote: »

only 364 more days till christmas. woot.

Yeh I wonder what head liners will play at the next one, maybe Radiohead or Pink Floyd.

Batsy · 28-12-2011 4:41pm

People who grew up in Ireland calling it Boxing Day?

Why would people call Ireland Boxing Day?

Lord TSC · 28-12-2011 4:57pm

Seanchai wrote: »

Some people might just as well call themselves English for the degree of English cultural saturation in their lives. It does however help to explain why they go on rants against culturally Irish things like the Irish language on other fora. Some serious inferiority complex going on there.

The very idea that a term being used on British tv would result in an Irish person who watches those programmes using the term is fascinating in an 'I can't believe some people are so simple' way.

Wait, this inferiority complex....are you saying people who grew up "English-ified" feel inferior? :S

And if there's rants against aspects of Irish culture (God knows, I'm not the biggest fan of the Irish language), perhaps its because in my viewing of English and American TV, I've realised how unnessecary it is on the larger global scale as opposed to the insular Irish scale....

Johnny Foreigner · 28-12-2011 5:53pm

Teamshadowclan wrote: »

Wait, this inferiority complex....are you saying people who grew up "English-ified" feel inferior? :S

And if there's rants against aspects of Irish culture (God knows, I'm not the biggest fan of the Irish language), perhaps its because in my viewing of English and American TV, I've realised how unnessecary it is on the larger global scale as opposed to the insular Irish scale....

English-ified is not a word.
You mean Anglicised.
It is a shame you cannot use English properly, as you consider it to be more necessary than Irish.

emeraldstar · 28-12-2011 6:03pm

St Stephen's Day/Boxing Day/whatever. It's "St Stephens's Day" that gets me, and more and more people seem to say it. The saint's name is Stephen not Stephens, so where the hell is the extra 's' is coming from? Argh :mad:

Lord TSC · 28-12-2011 7:27pm

Johnny Foreigner wrote: »

English-ified is not a word.
You mean Anglicised.
It is a shame you cannot use English properly, as you consider it to be more necessary than Irish.

And it's a shame you have to resort to attacking my word choice rather than address the point I made :rolleyes:

Johnny Foreigner · 28-12-2011 7:38pm

Teamshadowclan wrote: »

And it's a shame you have to resort to attacking my word choice rather than address the point I made :rolleyes:

You cannot even spell the word unnecessary so your point is not valid. Why would I address a point which is not valid?

Lord TSC · 28-12-2011 7:51pm

Johnny Foreigner wrote: »

You cannot even spell the word unnecessary so your point is not valid. Why would I address a point which is not valid?

The fact you can still understand what word I was typing shows it's not really a big issue. The funny thing is I'm an English teacher as well. But if you'd rather be a grammer nazi than actually try and retort the point, go ahead. Meanwhile, allow me to conclude this discussion with a roll-eyes smilie which really is nowhere near big enough to deal with this attempt at trolling.

:rolleyes:

KeithM89_old · 28-12-2011 7:57pm

Johnny Foreigner wrote: »

You cannot even spell the word unnecessary so your point is not valid. Why would I address a point which is not valid?

Johnny Foreigner wrote: »

English-ified is not a word.
You mean Anglicised.
It is a shame you cannot use English properly, as you consider it to be more necessary than Irish.

No one likes a grammar nazi.

emeraldstar · 28-12-2011 8:36pm

KeithM89 wrote: »

No one likes a grammar nazi.

I do; I think they're a great bunch of lads.

Helix · 28-12-2011 8:37pm

i call it boxing day now, mainly because im in a country that doesnt know wtf stephens day is. it's a bit odd, but that's the way it is

Liam Byrne · 28-12-2011 9:32pm

The funny thing is I'm an English teacher as well. But if you'd rather be a grammer nazi...

Seriously? An English teacher ? :eek:

Azureus · 28-12-2011 9:51pm

My mams English so refers to it as Boxing day-so I kinda just picked it up.
The bf and his family always correct me when I say it though so now I say a mix of both-feck it, henceforth it shall just be December 26th!

Winty · 28-12-2011 10:00pm

Posy wrote: »

I say St. Stephen's Day because I'm Irish. I've never heard anyone Irish call it 'Boxing Day' to be honest.

http://http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sky-Niteclub-The-Abbey-Hotel/90656458383

Have a look at the facebook page for the Donegal Town nightclub, they have a boxing night disco in Ireland full of Irish people

Johnny Foreigner · 28-12-2011 10:22pm

Teamshadowclan wrote: »

The fact you can still understand what word I was typing shows it's not really a big issue. The funny thing is I'm an English teacher as well. But if you'd rather be a grammer nazi than actually try and retort the point, go ahead. Meanwhile, allow me to conclude this discussion with a roll-eyes smilie which really is nowhere near big enough to deal with this attempt at trolling.

:rolleyes:

You are an English Teacher?
But you cannot spell?
That is a disgrace.

Lord TSC · 28-12-2011 10:34pm

Liam Byrne wrote: »

Seriously? An English teacher ? :eek:

I know. Our kids are doomed, right :rolleyes:

Super-Rush · 28-12-2011 11:00pm

Johnny Foreigner wrote: »

You are an English Teacher?
But you cannot spell?
That is a disgrace.

Dno't psot in thiis thraed agin.

Liam Byrne · 28-12-2011 11:00pm

Teamshadowclan wrote: »

Liam Byrne wrote: »

Seriously? An English teacher ? :eek:

I know. Our kids are doomed, right :rolleyes:

I wouldn't say doomed overall (they may still have a decent maths or French teacher) but certainly doomed in terms of spelling!

oppenheimer1 · 28-12-2011 11:21pm

Good to see the typical self-loathing Irish out in force on this thread. I often wonder why so many of you stay when you clearly hate this place, its traditions (apart from giving out), and the general way we do things here.

It is called St. Stephens Day, or Wren Day (which is hopefully acceptable for the militant atheists that populate AH) in Ireland.

woodoo · 28-12-2011 11:30pm

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

Good to see the typical self-loathing Irish out in force on this thread. I often wonder why so many of you stay when you clearly hate this place, its traditions (apart from giving out), and the general way we do things here.

It is called St. Stephens Day, or Wren Day (which is hopefully acceptable for the militant atheists that populate AH) in Ireland.

Says who though? People can call it what they like. Stop being such an insecure Irishman. It annoys me when people take it upon themselves to say what is the Irish thing to do and what is not. I remember being scolded and told i'm not a real Irishman because i don't like GAA.

We don't even use our own language anymore so whats the big deal about calling the 26th Boxing day.

Liam Byrne · 29-12-2011 12:07am

woodoo wrote: »

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

Good to see the typical self-loathing Irish out in force on this thread. I often wonder why so many of you stay when you clearly hate this place, its traditions (apart from giving out), and the general way we do things here.

It is called St. Stephens Day, or Wren Day (which is hopefully acceptable for the militant atheists that populate AH) in Ireland.

Says who though? People can call it what they like. Stop being such an insecure Irishman. It annoys me when people take it upon themselves to say what is the Irish thing to do and what is not. I remember being scolded and told i'm not a real Irishman because i don't like GAA.

We don't even use our own language anymore so whats the big deal about calling the 26th Boxing day.

So will you call January 1st "New Year's Day", or will you wait until the Chinese New Year ?

LordSutch · 29-12-2011 12:08am

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

It is called St. Stephens Day, or Wren Day (which is hopefully acceptable for the militant atheists that populate AH) in Ireland.

Wren day? WTF since when was it wren? never heard that one before.

Always Boxing Day or St Stephens day where I live on the East coast.

Wren day

honestly never heard of it before, but if that's what some people call it than that's cool, and what does Wren mean anyway??

woodoo · 29-12-2011 12:20am

Liam Byrne wrote: »

So will you call January 1st "New Year's Day", or will you wait until the Chinese New Year ?

New years day

A Dub in Glasgo · 29-12-2011 12:27am

woodoo wrote: »

Says who though? People can call it what they like. .

WTF do you call the day after Sunday? Workday / Doleday / Monday or does it really matter to you?

A Dub in Glasgo · 29-12-2011 12:29am

LordSutch wrote: »

Wren day? WTF since when was it wren? never heard that one before.

Always Boxing Day or St Stephens day where I live on the East coast.

Wren day honestly never heard of it before, but if that's what some people call it than that's cool, and what does Wren mean anyway??

GIYF

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wren_Day

oppenheimer1 · 29-12-2011 12:30am

woodoo wrote: »

Says who though? People can call it what they like. Stop being such an insecure Irishman. It annoys me when people take it upon themselves to say what is the Irish thing to do and what is not. I remember being scolded and told i'm not a real Irishman because i don't like GAA.

We don't even use our own language anymore so whats the big deal about calling the 26th Boxing day.

Exactly. We had our language taken from us... now we are giving up the remnants of our culture, and not for anything better either. Ireland and the Irish have few traditions left because of globalisation and the homogenisation it brings. Calling it Boxing Day might be something small but its part of a larger loss of national identity.

There is almost the default reply of some here to dismiss the Irish way of doing things as being inferior to the ways of other nationalities and cultures. In other words, the right way is anyway except the Irish way, whether thats language, sport or wider cultural forms. Its not about insecurity but about the willingness to accept a phrase which harks back to the days of masters and servants - a tradition we ought not to be celebrating in an egalitarian republic.

hondasam · 29-12-2011 12:31am

woodoo wrote: »

Says who though? People can call it what they like. Stop being such an insecure Irishman. It annoys me when people take it upon themselves to say what is the Irish thing to do and what is not. I remember being scolded and told i'm not a real Irishman because i don't like GAA.

We don't even use our own language anymore so whats the big deal about calling the 26th Boxing day.

Bet you will not find an english man calling it St Stephens day.

ItsAWindUp · 29-12-2011 12:32am

Why is this such a big issue?

later12 · 29-12-2011 12:34am

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

Exactly. We had our language taken from us... now we are giving up the remnants of out culture, and not for anything better either.

Give an example? Is calling the 26th 'St Stephen's day' considered culture now or something?

Ireland and the Irish have few traditions left because of globalisation and the homogenisation it brings. Calling it Boxing Day might be something small but its part of a larger loss of national identity.

I hope you realise how ironic this post is.

It's called Saint Stephen's day in lots of different countries - from Wales to Serbia - because of the globalisation of the Roman Catholic Church. It isn't an Irish thing, it's a religious thing.

In other words, the right way is anyway except the Irish way

Who said that?

hondasam · 29-12-2011 12:35am

ItsAWindUp wrote: »

Why is this such a big issue?

It's not that it's a big issue it's the principle that counts here,St Stephens day is what it's called in Ireland.

ItsAWindUp · 29-12-2011 12:36am

hondasam wrote: »

It's not that it's a big issue it's the principle that counts here,St Stephens day is what it's called in Ireland.

The principle of what exactly? Some people call it Boxing Day, in Ireland.

later12 · 29-12-2011 12:36am

This is actually like something from the Monty Python series. Bizarre what people will get sentimental over.

hondasam · 29-12-2011 12:39am

ItsAWindUp wrote: »

The principle of what exactly? Some people call it Boxing Day, in Ireland.

They are few and far between I think. I do not know any Irish person who calls it Boxing day.

ItsAWindUp · 29-12-2011 12:41am

hondasam wrote: »

They are few and far between I think. I do not know any Irish person who calls it Boxing day.

Apparently they do in Donegal. I don't know anyone who calls it that either, it isn't a thought that I often ponder.

hondasam · 29-12-2011 12:44am

ItsAWindUp wrote: »

Apparently they do in Donegal. I don't know anyone who calls it that either, it isn't a thought that I often ponder.

Not everyone in Donegal calls it Boxing day. We all get annoyed over little things but there is no way english people would call it St Stephens day.

later12 · 29-12-2011 12:47am

hondasam wrote: »

We all get annoyed over little things but there is no way english people would call it St Stephens day.

So? There's no way they would pay for Fair City either. So far we've established, what exactly?

Can we recap...

Does anyone actually have a problem with the term Boxing Day?

RebelBOK · 29-12-2011 12:47am

I`ve heard it called wren`s day aswell in some places but growing up in cork ive never heard it called anything other than St.Stephens day, never heard it referred to as boxing day until we got sky years and years ago and was highly confused to say the least. In relation to loosing our culture, we unfortunatly are but little things like this will keep it alive, the Irish language has been given a kick up the arse in the last few years and is being taught better in the schools (my nieces and nephews can speak it better than i ever could) There is nothing wrong with a country trying to keep there culture and traditions, you`ll never see France or England or whoever willingly giving up their cultural uniqueities that make them who they are and we should be no different. If we all blend into one big ``beige`` boring continent it will be a hell of alot more miserable place to live than it already is. It`s the diversity that makes it such an attractive place and the Irish culture is very much a part of that. However we are obviously loosing it but i have faith the generations coming through will fight it and help restore and preserve our identity, it might be false hope on my part but it`s hope non the less.

Liam Byrne · 29-12-2011 12:51am

woodoo wrote: »

Liam Byrne wrote: »

So will you call January 1st "New Year's Day", or will you wait until the Chinese New Year ?

New years day

Why though? Just because that's its proper name in this part of the world ?

If so, why be different for Stephen's Day ?

hondasam · 29-12-2011 12:52am

later10 wrote: »

Does anyone actually have a problem with the term Boxing Day?

Yes some people would have a problem with it, our tradition is to call it St Stephens day. Why change it to Boxing day?

ItsAWindUp · 29-12-2011 12:54am

hondasam wrote: »

Not everyone in Donegal calls it Boxing day. We all get annoyed over little things but there is no way english people would call it St Stephens day.

I really fail to see the relevance.

later12 · 29-12-2011 12:55am

hondasam wrote: »

Yes some people would have a problem with it,

Who??

our tradition is to call it St Stephens day. Why change it to Boxing day?

Nobody wants to officially change anything.

Some people just have a habit of saying boxing day, most of them with UK connections it seems.

So what?

Sometimes even

is not enough

RebelBOK · 29-12-2011 12:58am

Your gonna get different people calling different things differnt names in every country, the fact of the matter is the majority of Irish people call it St Stephens day and for those people its important, it might not be important in the grand scheme of things but it`s little things that make people happy and people are alot better off worrying about the small things cause if we all concentrate on the big picture the whole time then we`ll all be depressed of our heads. Plus if we let go of the small things like St Stephens day then bigger things will follow. Quite honestly a person can call it what they want i dont care all I know is i like calling it St Stephens day so thats what Ill call it and id encourage everyone else to do the same as in relation to what they want to call it.

hondasam · 29-12-2011 1:08am

ItsAWindUp wrote: »

I really fail to see the relevance.

The relevance of what ?

later10 wrote: »

Who??

You cannot possibly think the majority of Irish people would want to call it Boxing day.

People who grew up in Ireland calling it Boxing Day?

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