Your reasons for emigrating

SamAK

beks101 wrote: »

I think the best thing about emigrating for me has been the perspective it's given me - on myself, my life and my home country.

If I hadn't emigrated, I wouldn't have discovered my enormous capacity to adapt to adversity and roll with the punches, as it were. Living far from home and everything you know is challenging, terrifying and sometimes very isolating. You grow enormously through it.
I think that's a reality of expat life that isn't talked about all that often. I think it makes you a bit thick-skinned and emotionally guarded over time.

+10 to all of this. Great post. Wonderful!

zweton

nail on the head.

CountingClocks

beks101 wrote: »

I think the best thing about emigrating for me has been the perspective it's given me - on myself, my life and my home country.

If I hadn't emigrated, I wouldn't have discovered my enormous capacity to adapt to adversity and roll with the punches, as it were. Living far from home and everything you know is challenging, terrifying and sometimes very isolating. You grow enormously through it.

If I hadn't emigrated, I wouldn't be as intent as I am in keeping in regular touch with family and friends. The strength - and weakness - of some friendships has shocked me, being honest. I haven't heard from some of what once were my "best friends" in four years, when I left the country.

Equally, I've been surprised and overwhelmed by the support, generosity and friendship of some people who would've been on the periphery of my life before I left. Friends of friends who helped me find housing, a job, opened their doors to me, invited me along to things, befriended me when I most needed it. Just because we had a person in common, or sometimes - just because I'm Irish. The support of the Irish community abroad has been incredibly heart-warming to me while I've been overseas tbh.

If I hadn't emigrated, I probably wouldn't have realized how much more suited I am to a "small fish in a big pond" kind of lifestyle. It's easy when you're at home to just accept the status quo - you don't see outside the box because you're so damn used to the same four walls. Being abroad shows you that actually, there are many different paths you can take and many many different ways you can live your life. And you have a hand in choosing which one is right for you.

I think the hardest thing about being abroad for me though was the constant revolving door of arrivals and departures in my circle of friends. My friends were a mix of Irish and locals - and in a sense, those people become your family, because your ACTUAL family is an ocean away. Your friendships become more intense, more important - and for me, after a few years, it seems like there was a leaving party every other week.

And it never got easier. It was always like losing a member of your family as someone moved on, moved home, whatever. You get close to and share all these monumental life experiences with someone and then, in one swift flight, they're gone and will never have that same place in your life again. I felt sad and bad every single time - and felt the same when it was finally my own turn to move on.

I think that's a reality of expat life that isn't talked about all that often. I think it makes you a bit thick-skinned and emotionally guarded over time.

Agree with all of this, especially the revolving door. I've seen dozens of friends leave over the years and it can be really unsettling.

There's no doubt that living abroad broadens the mind and brings experiences and challenges you would never had at home, you learn so much about yourself in the process.

I'll shortly be returning to Ireland after a long period abroad and I've loved every minute of it, I have fantastic memories and I've made some great friends here. If I had my time over I wouldn't change a thing, and would advise anyone who is curious about living in another country to just do it.

DenMan

I'll let you all know in October as I will be moving to Italy to teach. I've lived abroad before (three years in England at Uni (Bolton) and a year working in Malta. My own brother has been living in Shanghai now for 17 months and loves it. Congratulations and well done to everyone who has emigrated and the very best of luck to those considering it/leaving soon.

bodice ripper

My family have been immigrants for generations. It is just sort of expected that you will go out from where ever you are to seek your fortune. I gacve it a shot, its not for me, I want to come home.

RahenyD5

Wanted to say thanks for making an informative thread, interesting to see what others think and how others have experienced. I was thinking about this, flirting with the idea and it's unsurprising that lots of people are thinking the same with how the country is at the moment.

Have to agree about the begrudgery and the nosiness going on. In my workplace, a colleague is getting married, she kindly sent everyone an invite but that didn't stop a couple of busybodies overheard gossiping "Oh she must be expecting, must say she has been putting on the weight lately".

I was pleased to see this thread on here so thanks again!

RahenyD5

Are any of you still in Oz or have moved back? Did/do you like it over there? I did think about Australia but it doesn't have the culture & history that Europe is blessed with, you wouldn't find the beauty of Connemara, Cashel castle ruins, cities such as London, Rome and Paris and medieval central European old towns etc. over there.

Isn't the Aussie climate too intense for our pasty Celtic complexions? Easy to get skin cancer? A three week 40C+ heatwave when it is far too hot to go out and do stuff? The idea of applying sunscreen every day, not just in summer, seems unappealing. Anybody worried about killer spiders and sharks?

Sorry for all the questions, just wondering.

cowboyjoe

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

In Australia you wouldn't need to turn on the heating when you're on the couch watching the tv. Win!

Yes you do! Have you experienced a winter in Melbourne
, Victoria? Not much difference between our winters and there's imo...got to Melbourne in May and it was cold and rained like little old Ireland....now the summer down there is a different story

BlurstMonkey

Daveysil15 wrote: »

I've never really experienced the whole GAA thing in rural areas tbh, at least not in the pubs anyway. It's usually cow-tipping and boweling.
It's funny actually, I have spoken to quite a few lads living in Dublin and big towns who say the girls are a lot more friendly in rural areas. Yet people in rural areas often say the opposite. I live in a small town now and would consider it quite cliquish, but I've seen that just as much in the cities as I have in rural areas.

It's a universal truth that rural areas are more insular and less friendly. It applies to Ireland as much as anywhere else. I'm from a rural area. For an area with little population density everyone is surprisingly far up everyone elses arse.

And cow tipping isn't real. And if it was you'd be getting the living **** kicked out of you for trespassing and trying to cause harm to livestock.

Daveysil15

BlurstMonkey wrote: »

It's a universal truth that rural areas are more insular and less friendly. It applies to Ireland as much as anywhere else. I'm from a rural area. For an area with little population density everyone is surprisingly far up everyone elses arse.

And cow tipping isn't real. And if it was you'd be getting the living **** kicked out of you for trespassing and trying to cause harm to livestock.

I don't agree with that, and its not what I've been hearing from the city boys. Cities can be just as bad depending where you go, but we could argue that all night. And believe me cow tipping is real, but maybe its only certain rural areas where you can get away with it.

BlurstMonkey

Daveysil15 wrote: »

I don't agree with that, and its not what I've been hearing from the city boys. Cities can be just as bad depending where you go, but we could argue that all night. And believe me cow tipping is real, but maybe its only certain rural areas where you can get away with it.

There's no "getting away with it", it's not real. Cows don't sleep standing, and knocking over large animals that you don't own isn't something anyone does, pure sh!te talk. Just nonsense townies go on about as if they have a clue. Certain rural areas? Ya, I'm sure you're a member of a secret cow tipping club. :rolleyes: Such BS.

The Diabolical Monocle

zzzz zzzzz zzzzzzz


mooooooo !!!



thud.

Daveysil15

BlurstMonkey wrote: »

There's no "getting away with it", it's not real. Cows don't sleep standing, and knocking over large animals that you don't own isn't something anyone does, pure sh!te talk. Just nonsense townies go on about as if they have a clue. Certain rural areas? Ya, I'm sure you're a member of a secret cow tipping club. :rolleyes: Such BS.

No I'm not a member of a cow tipping club but I lived in a small rural area for years and I've seen some mad stuff.

astonaidan

RahenyD5 wrote: »

Are any of you still in Oz or have moved back? Did/do you like it over there? I did think about Australia but it doesn't have the culture & history that Europe is blessed with, you wouldn't find the beauty of Connemara, Cashel castle ruins, cities such as London, Rome and Paris and medieval central European old towns etc. over there.

Isn't the Aussie climate too intense for our pasty Celtic complexions? Easy to get skin cancer? A three week 40C+ heatwave when it is far too hot to go out and do stuff? The idea of applying sunscreen every day, not just in summer, seems unappealing. Anybody worried about killer spiders and sharks?

Sorry for all the questions, just wondering.

A different kind off beauty than connemara, cashel etc but there is beauty all over Australia. regarding the sun you get used to it quickly and I never applied sun screen in winter. You should really check up the amount off people that sharks kill, its like feck all

astonaidan

These past few weeks have made me more determined to get out off Ireland for a while. I realised my group off friends are well content to sit around going out for drinks on a friday and thats it. I tried to sell them on Australia but if you heard some off the excuses, one said he would need 10 thousand euros and a guaranteed job before he would go another just takes the piss out off people going to Australia having no originality. I just dont understand the wanting to sit still and do nothing, Id understand if they were all working or in college but its not the case and they arent part off the GAA clique in town so cant even use that as a reason, I know when I go to Canada later this year for two years they will be still doing the same thing every week when I come home, just complaining and talking about 18 year old girls and that we should do a lads holiday but never actually do it.

Electric Sheep

astonaidan wrote: »

These past few weeks have made me more determined to get out off Ireland for a while. I realised my group off friends are well content to sit around going out for drinks on a friday and thats it. I tried to sell them on Australia but if you heard some off the excuses, one said he would need 10 thousand euros and a guaranteed job before he would go another just takes the piss out off people going to Australia having no originality. I just dont understand the wanting to sit still and do nothing, Id understand if they were all working or in college but its not the case and they arent part off the GAA clique in town so cant even use that as a reason, I know when I go to Canada later this year for two years they will be still doing the same thing every week when I come home, just complaining and talking about 18 year old girls and that we should do a lads holiday but never actually do it.

People don't need to make "excuses" to anyone if they don't want to go to Australia. It DOES take money to go, and if they are not working, where is the money to come from? You need the fare, enough money to live on for a couple of months, a deposit for a place to live, and an emergency fund. Heading thousands of miles from home with empty pockets is foolhardy. It might work out ok, but it might not.

Jamsiek

astonaidan wrote: »

These past few weeks have made me more determined to get out off Ireland for a while. I realised my group off friends are well content to sit around going out for drinks on a friday and thats it. I tried to sell them on Australia but if you heard some off the excuses, one said he would need 10 thousand euros and a guaranteed job before he would go another just takes the piss out off people going to Australia having no originality. I just dont understand the wanting to sit still and do nothing, Id understand if they were all working or in college but its not the case and they arent part off the GAA clique in town so cant even use that as a reason, I know when I go to Canada later this year for two years they will be still doing the same thing every week when I come home, just complaining and talking about 18 year old girls and that we should do a lads holiday but never actually do it.

I think every small town has that kind if person. I'm in Canada too and went home for the Christmas after being here 2 years. Everything was the same, I was bored after a few days.
You are right to go and leave all the negativity at home.
What part are you going to?

astonaidan

Electric Sheep wrote: »

People don't need to make "excuses" to anyone if they don't want to go to Australia. It DOES take money to go, and if they are not working, where is the money to come from? You need the fare, enough money to live on for a couple of months, a deposit for a place to live, and an emergency fund. Heading thousands of miles from home with empty pockets is foolhardy. It might work out ok, but it might not.

I think you are missing my point, its not just Australia, going to a different pub in town is met with disgust, I know plenty off lads who went to Australia after saving the dole for a year, these lads live at home, I myself went to Australia with 4000 euros, ten thousand is a figure put out there cause its not achievable. Its purely a sign off fear which is a big problem with the men off Ireland, cause I find the girls are way quicker to get out off here. But it DOES NOT take ten thousand euros and a guaranteed job to go anywhere, its the fear off oh I might not get a job which makes people stay in a sedimentary life

Jamsiek wrote: »

I think every small town has that kind if person. I'm in Canada too and went home for the Christmas after being here 2 years. Everything was the same, I was bored after a few days.
You are right to go and leave all the negativity at home.
What part are you going to?

Toronto love big cities and well its on my bucket list to watch the Raptors play. The fact that I know some lads from Australia who live there now is also a selling point, in the second year I plan on adventuring west

mandrake04

RahenyD5 wrote: »

Are any of you still in Oz or have moved back? Did/do you like it over there? I did think about Australia but it doesn't have the culture & history that Europe is blessed with, you wouldn't find the beauty of Connemara, Cashel castle ruins, cities such as London, Rome and Paris and medieval central European old towns etc. over there.

Isn't the Aussie climate too intense for our pasty Celtic complexions? Easy to get skin cancer? A three week 40C+ heatwave when it is far too hot to go out and do stuff? The idea of applying sunscreen every day, not just in summer, seems unappealing. Anybody worried about killer spiders and sharks?

Sorry for all the questions, just wondering.

I been in Oz nearly 10 years, there are no Castle or medieval buildings but there are definitely some beautiful places. I often hear that Australia has no culture but its often from those who were here on a 1 year holiday and except for a few weeks of travelling they spent most of the time skulling pints with their own kind in the Cock n bull in Bondi. Australia does have a culture but its just a different to the Irish one, its often a beach or outdoorsy culture camping & BBQ etc... its what Aussie nip home early for on a Friday. In Ireland people like to nip off to the pub for drinks after work... its part of the Irish culture ...............in Australia they usually head away to the beach house for the weekend its part of the culture.

You go to Bondi and ask any Irish about the Tea Gardens they will tell you ah yeah great Craic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj6e1y_Qhzw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuuAQ3ZAJvI

Savage Craic altogether




When I think of Tea Gardens it reminds of up early St Stephens Day.... Tea Gardens, jimmy's beach, Hawks Nest and Fingal bay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75ZxntDU96w

Its just a different type of culture.

lufties

astonaidan wrote: »

These past few weeks have made me more determined to get out off Ireland for a while. I realised my group off friends are well content to sit around going out for drinks on a friday and thats it. I tried to sell them on Australia but if you heard some off the excuses, one said he would need 10 thousand euros and a guaranteed job before he would go another just takes the piss out off people going to Australia having no originality. I just dont understand the wanting to sit still and do nothing, Id understand if they were all working or in college but its not the case and they arent part off the GAA clique in town so cant even use that as a reason, I know when I go to Canada later this year for two years they will be still doing the same thing every week when I come home, just complaining and talking about 18 year old girls and that we should do a lads holiday but never actually do it.

With all due respect your mates sound like lads from kilinascully or somewhere. My advice would be get out there and see the world, do something different.
Honestly, I found Australia a bit far to go for sunshine, beaches and barbeques. You can get that in Spain and Portugal for cheaper, of course the jobs aren't plentiful in these countries.

i've never been to Canada but by all accounts I've heard a more sophisticated type of person generally emigrates there. that may sound snobby or arrogant, but I've heard it countless times in recent years. The pissed up abroad brigade seem to end up Australia according to reports.

Fiery biscuits

Currently in Japan, been here for two years. Had a job back at home but I had itchy feet, was young and adventurous, no loans, no romantic ties so I decided to go for it. I've no regrets at all about leaving, have traveled loads and experienced so much. Lots of friends and family were going to Canada/Oz but I wanted to try something a bit more out of the ordinary. Planning to come home for good in the summer. Hope I won't regret it but I don't think I will!

Jamsiek

astonaidan wrote: »

Toronto love big cities and well its on my bucket list to watch the Raptors play. The fact that I know some lads from Australia who live there now is also a selling point, in the second year I plan on adventuring west

Massive Irish community in Toronto from what I hear, I'm in Vancouver for almost 2 years now and never regretted the move. I made great friends and found a girlfriend :-) Best of luck!

Jamsiek

lufties wrote: »

i've never been to Canada but by all accounts I've heard a more sophisticated type of person generally emigrates there. that may sound snobby or arrogant, but I've heard it countless times in recent years. The pissed up abroad brigade seem to end up Australia according to reports.

Yes I agree, I'm in Vancouver and there is a big Irish community here and we do go out and get drunk sometimes but it's not like starting fights in the Tea Gardens all the time like some Irish are infamous for in Australia.

Irish people are generally respected in Canada more than we are in Australia apparently as some Aussies have anti-Irish attitudes due to the actions of a minority which is a shame.

Canada is also closer to Ireland and we have seasons here. Some people don't realize that it actually gets hot in the summer here and most cities are close the US border. I'd highly recommend Canada.

lufties

Jamsiek wrote: »

Yes I agree, I'm in Vancouver and there is a big Irish community here and we do go out and get drunk sometimes but it's not like starting fights in the Tea Gardens all the time like some Irish are infamous for in Australia.

Irish people are generally respected in Canada more than we are in Australia apparently as some Aussies have anti-Irish attitudes due to the actions of a minority which is a shame.

Canada is also closer to Ireland and we have seasons here. Some people don't realize that it actually gets hot in the summer here and most cities are close the US border. I'd highly recommend Canada.

I'm moving to London in a few weeks after doing a year in Hong Kong. HK is ok but can be very frustrating ,and the chinese way of doing things can be a massive culture shock. In general, they won't make decisions for fear of losing face. They stick to what's in black and white regardless of whether its completely illogical. Miscommunication is another thing that drives me bananas here, if buying a product/item don't expect to get any information on it, customer service is quite poor and everything is expensive bar taxis.
Then there's the inlux of goudy mainland chinese, coming in with wads of cash shopping for designer clothes but uneducated about how to be civilised(product of their environment I guess). All in all I will miss it here but am quite excited about heading back to the western world.

mandrake04

Jamsiek wrote: »

Yes I agree, I'm in Vancouver and there is a big Irish community here and we do go out and get drunk sometimes but it's not like starting fights in the Tea Gardens all the time like some Irish are infamous for in Australia.

Irish people are generally respected in Canada more than we are in Australia apparently as some Aussies have anti-Irish attitudes due to the actions of a minority which is a shame.

Its only a matter of time and it will be the same in Canada.

maninasia

AngryHippie wrote: »

And yet understand fcuk all about it.

If you have been relying on the mainstream media for your "objective facts" then you have already fallen flat on your face as far as intelligent discussion is concerned.
They consistently display the "facts" "polls" and Statistics that suit their current viewpoint (i.e that of their owners). The only semblances of actual fact are ABC and SBS, and even then, they are usually cautious.

Enjoy your blissful ignorance

Aye, facts, polls and statistics....comments from serving Prime Ministers and party policies...election results....who needs 'em!

maninasia

Emigrating to Western English speaking countries can need adjustments but it's nothing compared to the challenge of emigrating to Asian or Arab or South American countries etc.
It seems not many Irish like to stretch that far....I guess it's fair enough as we speak English and have access to places like Canada and Australia..but there is a big bad world out there beyond the Anglosphere.

It tends to take longer to break through into the local culture and sometimes it's not even possible to break into the local culture, but it is interesting to learn a new language, a new way of looking at things, and land on an alternative planet without blasting off into space.

Legs.Eleven

maninasia wrote: »

Emigrating to Western English speaking countries can need adjustments but it's nothing compared to the challenge of emigrating to Asian or Arab or South American countries etc.
It seems not many Irish like to stretch that far....I guess it's fair enough as we speak English and have access to places like Canada and Australia..but there is a big bad world out there beyond the Anglosphere.

It tends to take longer to break through into the local culture and sometimes it's not even possible to break into the local culture, but it is interesting to learn a new language, a new way of looking at things, and land on an alternative planet without blasting off into space.

Those countries would be tough alright but any country where there's a language barrier is always tricky.

I came to Spain with a basic level in the language (I could have simple conversations in the present tense) and everything from getting your paperwork sorted out (social security number and registering with the city council, medical card etc.) and finding an apartment to simple stuff like asking for directions and understanding the response (the question part is easy) and making friends was challenging.

Even now after 4 and a half years here, I can still find it quite isolating as I wouldn't always understand people and the locals presume you don't understand if you don't look Spanish, so they wouldn't talk to you so readily as they might do if you were a local or be a little impatient if you need something repeated or if they detect a foreign accent, they might give up on you. It's hard to befriend the locals until you're Spanish is at a high level and that's only happening for me now.


I'm in the process of getting stuff done at the dentist and had to learn a whole set of new vocabulary so I could understand what he was doing to me. Even simply, routine stuff like that becomes double the work. I'm dead proud of all I've achieved though considering moving to a country is challenging enough without the language barrier. I find myself having more random conversations with people and even sparking up conversations with neighbours (who'd have the equivalent of inner city North Dub accents). I feel I could handle anything after this. I took myself out of my comfort zone and handled it pretty well.

mandrake04

maninasia wrote: »

Emigrating to Western English speaking countries can need adjustments but it's nothing compared to the challenge of emigrating to Asian or Arab or South American countries etc.
It seems not many Irish like to stretch that far....I guess it's fair enough as we speak English and have access to places like Canada and Australia..but there is a big bad world out there beyond the Anglosphere.

It tends to take longer to break through into the local culture and sometimes it's not even possible to break into the local culture, but it is interesting to learn a new language, a new way of looking at things, and land on an alternative planet without blasting off into space.

Western English speaking countries tend to have drinkable water, hygiene, a good health system and less corruption. It's all good learning a new language and new culture but for some of us tramping around in puddles of sh!te might be a good enough reason to look for somewhere more comfortable.

Ivaniayo

If it was not for the endemic and systemic corruption, institutional abuse and bullying, Ireland would be a very good country.

It is such a pity that for generations we never have been able to sort that out.

astonaidan

maninasia wrote: »

Emigrating to Western English speaking countries can need adjustments but it's nothing compared to the challenge of emigrating to Asian or Arab or South American countries etc.
It seems not many Irish like to stretch that far....I guess it's fair enough as we speak English and have access to places like Canada and Australia..but there is a big bad world out there beyond the Anglosphere.

It tends to take longer to break through into the local culture and sometimes it's not even possible to break into the local culture, but it is interesting to learn a new language, a new way of looking at things, and land on an alternative planet without blasting off into space.

I suppose you could consider lads who move to Germany/Holland in the mid bracket due to the hign quality English speakers there, but I for one do have South America on my list off places to go, Id love to work in Brazil

astonaidan

lufties wrote: »

With all due respect your mates sound like lads from kilinascully or somewhere. My advice would be get out there and see the world, do something different.
Honestly, I found Australia a bit far to go for sunshine, beaches and barbeques. You can get that in Spain and Portugal for cheaper, of course the jobs aren't plentiful in these countries.

i've never been to Canada but by all accounts I've heard a more sophisticated type of person generally emigrates there. that may sound snobby or arrogant, but I've heard it countless times in recent years. The pissed up abroad brigade seem to end up Australia according to reports.

Hah welcome to a country town in Ireland, where men go from 20 to 40 and skip all that nonsense in between
The thing I found with Spain/Portugal is well I know neither off the languages past saying hello and general hitting on girls
I was never part off the lets get drunk gang in Australia, I never went out in Bondi Juction , saying that I had more German friends that Irish :o

lufties

astonaidan wrote: »

Hah welcome to a country town in Ireland, where men go from 20 to 40 and skip all that nonsense in between
The thing I found with Spain/Portugal is well I know neither off the languages past saying hello and general hitting on girls
I was never part off the lets get drunk gang in Australia, I never went out in Bondi Juction , saying that I had more German friends that Irish :o

Don't worry, I grew up a small town in Tipp and know you mean. Sometimes life abroad can be depressing, especially when things aren't going your way. Still though its much better life experience than the limited existance rural Ireland can offer a person.

astonaidan

lufties wrote: »

Don't worry, I grew up a small town in Tipp and know you mean. Sometimes life abroad can be depressing, especially when things aren't going your way. Still though its much better life experience than the limited existance rural Ireland can offer a person.

The only time I missed Ireland was at Christmas, which is a huge deal in our house, even when I was not getting regular hours with work, I still got enjoyment out off variety off a big city, where as at home now the only thing to do is drinking and rugby which I love but seasons nearly over.

Daveysil15

astonaidan wrote: »

Toronto love big cities and well its on my bucket list to watch the Raptors play. The fact that I know some lads from Australia who live there now is also a selling point, in the second year I plan on adventuring west

I was in Toronto for a year. Great city with very friendly people of all nationalities.

statina

I left Ireland 3 years ago because I was sick of the negativity and the ****e weather! I had no ties or responsibilities so i said feck it and went to Australia. Love Australia, particularly waking up to blue skies for the majority of the time and living close to a gorgeous beach. I am also getting opportunities in my career that I never would have at home. It hasn't always been easy, particularly at the beginning where it felt like I was starting from scratch again but overall it's been well worth it.

Having said that, I don't intend staying long term and will come home to Ireland to put down roots. The main problem is missing my family and close friends. I have been home once a year since I left and find the goodbyes incredibly difficult and am always unsettled for a while after coming back and i dont think i could do a life of that!

CrabRevolution

I'm play senior Hurling and Football for a GAA club in a rural town, I'm wondering why all this glory, adoration, popularity and female attention that every last GAA player in the country apparently gets has skipped me. Did I not fill out the right forms?

If a group of friends forms naturally its expected that not everyone will be included, and nobody really complains because it's stupid to expect everyone to be great friends with everyone.

However once a sport (nearly always Gaelic Games, sometimes Rugby) is the focal point of a group, the group is now a great evil that ruins everyone's lives because they arent involved.

BlurstMonkey

CrabRevolution wrote: »

I'm play senior Hurling and Football for a GAA club in a rural town, I'm wondering why all this glory, adoration, popularity and female attention that every last GAA player in the country apparently gets has skipped me. Did I not fill out the right forms?

If a group of friends forms naturally its expected that not everyone will be included, and nobody really complains because it's stupid to expect everyone to be great friends with everyone.

However once a sport (nearly always Gaelic Games, sometimes Rugby) is the focal point of a group, the group is now a great evil that ruins everyone's lives because they arent involved.

I'm not on any bandwagon but I don't think what's being said in here has anything to do with the focus of a group. That doesn't have any matter. It's the focus of society on that group, which is a big difference, and an undeniable one. No one has issue with people being interested in a sport I hope.

lufties

CrabRevolution wrote: »

I'm play senior Hurling and Football for a GAA club in a rural town, I'm wondering why all this glory, adoration, popularity and female attention that every last GAA player in the country apparently gets has skipped me. Did I not fill out the right forms?

If a group of friends forms naturally its expected that not everyone will be included, and nobody really complains because it's stupid to expect everyone to be great friends with everyone.

However once a sport (nearly always Gaelic Games, sometimes Rugby) is the focal point of a group, the group is now a great evil that ruins everyone's lives because they arent involved.

Actually your right in fairness, perhaps its jealously from people who don't make the cut.

From my schooldays though I remember the GAA lads always got the best looking women and were the most popular in the town.

Daveysil15

In my village it was always the musical fellas with the massive flutes that got the women. In primary school we were all forced to play GAA though; we were practically bet onto the pitch with a hurley. I used to absolutely hate playing it because I was so catastrophically bad at it. Soccer I could play because it was simple; you just use your feet. But with Gaelic football I always got confused whenever I got the ball.

I'd be like:

"Do I kick it?"
"Do I bounce it?"
"Do I throw it?"
"Do I kick it over the bar?"
"Do I kick it under the bar?"

There's just too many bloody options. God I hated it. :mad:

astonaidan

CrabRevolution wrote: »

I'm play senior Hurling and Football for a GAA club in a rural town, I'm wondering why all this glory, adoration, popularity and female attention that every last GAA player in the country apparently gets has skipped me. Did I not fill out the right forms?

If a group of friends forms naturally its expected that not everyone will be included, and nobody really complains because it's stupid to expect everyone to be great friends with everyone.

However once a sport (nearly always Gaelic Games, sometimes Rugby) is the focal point of a group, the group is now a great evil that ruins everyone's lives because they arent involved.

Well Rugby is the sport off my town, but its the GAA players who are still the ones people cant stand. Regards getting girls and adoration I dont its that either as well Rugby is ahead in both those cases.
What I find is the GAA players are cliquey, like I play Rugby and if I go out drinking I will be the only rugby player the majority off the time in our group. Now if I meet the lads out, I will have a drink with them but generally stay with the lads. Whereas the GAA lads all drink together, there may be may be groups within the group but if you meet one off them, you meet five off them. Maybe thats not the case in your town but I find in most places it is

AgileMyth

astonaidan wrote: »

These past few weeks have made me more determined to get out off Ireland for a while. I realised my group off friends are well content to sit around going out for drinks on a friday and thats it.

Sounds like my mates. I'm off to Asia in a couple of weeks and I know whether I come back in 6 months or 6 years I'll find a few of them in the same spot I left them

lufties

astonaidan wrote: »

Well Rugby is the sport off my town, but its the GAA players who are still the ones people cant stand. Regards getting girls and adoration I dont its that either as well Rugby is ahead in both those cases.
What I find is the GAA players are cliquey, like I play Rugby and if I go out drinking I will be the only rugby player the majority off the time in our group. Now if I meet the lads out, I will have a drink with them but generally stay with the lads. Whereas the GAA lads all drink together, there may be may be groups within the group but if you meet one off them, you meet five off them. Maybe thats not the case in your town but I find in most places it is

well im not sure what its like now as I haven't drank in the small town im from in a long time, but a few years ago there'd be at least 5 or 6 GAA heads being obnoxious c**ts in the pub, sneering down on people. I think they use their 'status' to maximum effect, acting kind of like local celebrities or something. It used to bug the bejaysus out of me as a younger man. I've grown up since and moved on.

R.D. aka MR.D

i left ireland because i always wanted to travel.

i moved to South America to experience a culture that I loved. I moved to Asia for the money. I'm still in Asia and the lesson that i have learned is that money makes life better.

The culture in the 2 asian countries i have been in don't really suit me. At times, i hate being stared and always being bothered by people. Other times, it's nice to have an automatic pass to be stupid because people don't expect me to know what the hell is going on.

The last time i was at home, i hated it.

It seems like a lot of the people who are at home now are really home birds. I'm only 26 but was being constantly asked when i was getting married/settling down. That wasn't old people asking me but the 26/27 year olds from home. So i feel right now that i don't fit in at home even if i was to go back.

But basically, i can do a job i really love and earn a good wage doing it. That's why i'm not at home!

qdawg86

Left to see some of the world, then went home again, then left again and will go back again.

The world really is such as small place these days- Ireland to NZ in little over a day. Plus I am in contact with people very regularly thanks to Friend Face and the like. It really doesn't feel like much to be away for 12 months.

lufties

R.D. aka MR.D wrote: »

i left ireland because i always wanted to travel.

i moved to South America to experience a culture that I loved. I moved to Asia for the money. I'm still in Asia and the lesson that i have learned is that money makes life better.

The culture in the 2 asian countries i have been in don't really suit me. At times, i hate being stared and always being bothered by people. Other times, it's nice to have an automatic pass to be stupid because people don't expect me to know what the hell is going on.

The last time i was at home, i hated it.

It seems like a lot of the people who are at home now are really home birds. I'm only 26 but was being constantly asked when i was getting married/settling down. That wasn't old people asking me but the 26/27 year olds from home. So i feel right now that i don't fit in at home even if i was to go back.

But basically, i can do a job i really love and earn a good wage doing it. That's why i'm not at home!

When I was 26/27 settling down didn't register on my radar and I've been travelling since, spending time in Oz, Malaysia, Germany and Asia over the last 5 years. i'm moving to the UK next month and do now feel ready to settle down as I've got a lot out my system over the last 5 years while learning a lot about life.

Sometimes it gets annoying when everyone is getting married and reproducing. It can leave you feeling left out and if I'm honest ,a little embarrassed for yourself :eek:. Still though, I don't regret for a minute as the experience gained travelling will hopefully stand to me.

astonaidan

lufties wrote: »

well im not sure what its like now as I haven't drank in the small town im from in a long time, but a few years ago there'd be at least 5 or 6 GAA heads being obnoxious c**ts in the pub, sneering down on people. I think they use their 'status' to maximum effect, acting kind of like local celebrities or something. It used to bug the bejaysus out of me as a younger man. I've grown up since and moved on.

Oh they still act like that, I just wouldnt pay any notice to it, as you said young lads might care. But I dont think where Im from they get the status and girls they may get elsewhere. Whats actually funny is the lads that play for Galway are sound as they come, no ego at all.

lufties

astonaidan wrote: »

Oh they still act like that, I just wouldnt pay any notice to it, as you said young lads might care. But I dont think where Im from they get the status and girls they may get elsewhere. Whats actually funny is the lads that play for Galway are sound as they come, no ego at all.

I think Galway has a different vibe and isn't as insular/inferior as other counties, especially inland ones. Its a great spot in my opinion, good city, connemara, gateway to the west etc. No wonder the lads are sound.

Georgie13

This is a really interesting thread! I left Ireland in 2010 to come to college over here in London (or "uni" as they say over here). I'll be graduating in June and I'm looking forward to being able to try somewhere new after that. Not that I don't love London, just kind of getting itchy feet after four years! I'd like to apply for the IEC visa next January and try Canada for a year or two with my boyfriend. Just want to see a bit more of the world while I'm young really, since there's an age limit on a visa like that.

Georgie13

lufties wrote: »

I think Galway has a different vibe and isn't as insular/inferior as other counties, especially inland ones. Its a great spot in my opinion, good city, connemara, gateway to the west etc. No wonder the lads are sound.

I agree with you about the vibe, I think Galway's the nicest city in Ireland, and I'm not even from there. I think if I ever moved back to Ireland that's where I'd like to live.