Perceptions about Ireland that people just assume but aren't true

debok

Blaze420 wrote: »

I know you are but what am I

A c u n t ?

That we all want a united, 32 county Ireland.

Personally I don’t know anyone who cares.

Thelonious Monk

whisky_galore wrote: »

I don't think Dana is all that popular, packaged nostalgia of a particular point in time for the older generation, did those documentaries touch on the skin and hair flying during her failed presidential bid and her deep religious conservatism?

That the rowing lads were popular I would put down to their unassuming attitudes, if you have "notions" the Irish public will hate on you. Eg Bono.

Yeah in fairness he was a figure of ridicule everywhere though, Bono. He seems to have calmed down now though and he's grand.

LuasSimon

The friendly Irish is definitely almost gone .

Most Irish are too busy looking at their phones or on their earphones than talk to their neighbour or be pleasant to anyone near them .

That we're good at rugby

We have never won a competitve knock-out game,even our soccer team has managed this

The J Stands for Jay

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

I don't know if other Irish people have experienced it abroad.

That our education system is WORSE than that in America or the UK.

That we are stupid.

I was doing a course with an English student. She would make sarcastic remarks ...by the end of the year she was asking to read my essays.

Definitely noticed that. I thought that with only doing 3 A level subjects they'd have a better knowledge in their chosen subjects. Nope, honours maths seemed to have out me miles ahead of their a Level math despite having 5 other subjects to cover as well.

TBH, I reckon it's because the Leaving Certificate is such a bad name. It sounds like a cert given to a lad who leaves school at 15 to work on the factory floor.

kowloonkev

snoopboggybog wrote: »

Not saying there hideous but nearly every country in the world has better scenery than we do.

USA, Australia, Canada, Asia and Any country in Europe is ten times better than what we have.

Here's Italy just for an example.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlRwssZYRM0

I'd agree with you to be honest, although being from Ireland we're more likely to be tired of our own landscape and people coming for the first time might find more beauty in it. But I would say if there weren't so many people with Irish roots coming back to find out about their ancestry then our tourist industry might be limited to English stags in templebar.

CrankyHaus

McGaggs wrote: »

Definitely noticed that. I thought that with only doing 3 A level subjects they'd have a better knowledge in their chosen subjects. Nope, honours maths seemed to have out me miles ahead of their a Level math despite having 5 other subjects to cover as well.

TBH, I reckon it's because the Leaving Certificate is such a bad name. It sounds like a cert given to a lad who leaves school at 15 to work on the factory floor.

Do you really think some Brit "Larfing at stupid Paddy" even knows it's called the Leaving Cert?

Many of them have trouble grasping the fact that we're a separate country.

kowloonkev

McGaggs wrote: »

Definitely noticed that. I thought that with only doing 3 A level subjects they'd have a better knowledge in their chosen subjects. Nope, honours maths seemed to have out me miles ahead of their a Level math despite having 5 other subjects to cover as well.

TBH, I reckon it's because the Leaving Certificate is such a bad name. It sounds like a cert given to a lad who leaves school at 15 to work on the factory floor.

I've never come across any American or English person who even knows our final exams are called the leaving Cert, so doubt it's that. I've also never come across anyone with any opinions about our education system because why would they care?

I would say that although I was a very ordinary student I am amazed at the lack of knowledge of peoplevI meet from other countries, especially Asia in my case. For example, the vast majority can't do simple maths in their head.

snoopboggybog

kowloonkev wrote: »

I'd agree with you to be honest, although being from Ireland we're more likely to be tired of our own landscape and people coming for the first time might find more beauty in it. But I would say if there weren't so many people with Irish roots coming back to find out about their ancestry then our tourist industry might be limited to English stags in templebar.

Our landscape is probably the worst in the worst in the world .

It has a perception of green fields and cliffs

Its chronic compared to any other country.

the beer revolu

People think we're all Catholic.
But we know otherwise.

Most of our children are baptised, make their first communion and confirmation.
Most marriages are in Catholic churches, performed by priests.
Most funerals involve priests and churches.
Almost all of our children are educated in Catholic schools.

I cant think why outsiders think we are all practising catholics!

kowloonkev

snoopboggybog wrote: »

Our landscape is probably the worst in the worst in the world .

It has a perception of green fields and cliffs

Its chronic compared to any other country.

You're overstating it. Plenty of countries in continental Europe that would be worse. Probably lots in Africa too, depending what people find beautiful of course.

LuasSimon

the beer revolu wrote: »

People think we're all Catholic.
But we know otherwise.

Most of our children are baptised, make their first communion and confirmation.
Most marriages are in Catholic churches, performed by priests.
Most funerals involve priests and churches.
Almost all of our children are educated in Catholic schools.

I cant think why outsiders think we are all practising catholics!

Your right but there’s a lot of traditions in this country and been catholic for a share of people is one of them and you’d be surprised how many people are happy enough with it but afraid to say it such is the anti catholic current out there in the media and social media . Never did me any harm sitting down for 40 minutes every week saying a few prayers amongst my neighbours and having a quick chat after .

snoopboggybog

kowloonkev wrote: »

You're overstating it. Plenty of countries in continental Europe that would be worse. Probably lots in Africa too, depending what people find beautiful of course.

Name 10 countries where you think its worse than Ireland for scenery.

Ireland is a kip

the beer revolu

LuasSimon wrote: »

Your right but there’s a lot of traditions in this country and been catholic for a share of people is one of them and you’d be surprised how many people are happy enough with it but afraid to say it such is the anti catholic current out there in the media and social media . Never did me any harm sitting down for 40 minutes every week saying a few prayers amongst my neighbours and having a quick chat after .

You, obviously identify as a Catholic - that's fine.
I'm talking about the huge number of people who claim not to be Catholic while partaking in all the sacraments during their life and rearing their children to do the same.

No wonder outsiders get confused.


Also, not wanting religion to influence our government, education systemsand society, generally isn't "anti Catholic" in itself.

Feisar

YFlyer wrote: »

I heard yee Irish can drink a whole six pack.

Yeah when getting ready before heading out.

As they pull out six 330ml cans!

Rodin

Dav010 wrote: »

That we all want a united, 32 county Ireland.

Personally I don’t know anyone who cares.

You'll have to spend more time outside the Orange Hall

Thelonious Monk

snoopboggybog wrote: »

Our landscape is probably the worst in the worst in the world .

It has a perception of green fields and cliffs

Its chronic compared to any other country.

Parts are beautiful but a lot is just bungalows and mansions strewn around and farms. Would be nice with more native forestry. Also most of our towns and villages are absolute traffic clogged dives.

The J Stands for Jay

kowloonkev wrote: »

I've never come across any American or English person who even knows our final exams are called the leaving Cert, so doubt it's that. I've also never come across anyone with any opinions about our education system because why would they care?

If you're in third level education with them, they'll ask about it. Starting from an opinion thatay we're thick, they find the name of the exam hilarious.

whisky_galore

the beer revolu wrote: »

You, obviously identify as a Catholic - that's fine.
I'm talking about the huge number of people who claim not to be Catholic while partaking in all the sacraments during their life and rearing their children to do the same.

No wonder outsiders get confused.

"Ah shur we don't want to be upsetting the grandparents" , or "little Tommy would feel left out if he didn't make his Communion" and wanting a church wedding because a bangin church will look awesome in the wedding pics.

the beer revolu

whisky_galore wrote: »

"Ah shur we don't want to be upsetting the grandparents" , or "little Tommy would feel left out if he didn't make his Communion" and wanting a church wedding because a bangin church will look awesome in the wedding pics.

But,I'm not actually bring my kids up in the Catholic ethos - no indoctrination at all!

kowloonkev

snoopboggybog wrote: »

Name 10 countries where you think its worse than Ireland for scenery.

Ireland is a kip

Name 10 countries? Are you ten years old? I'm starting to doubt if you've ever been outside of Ireland.

whisky_galore

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

Parts are beautiful but a lot is just bungalows and mansions strewn around and farms. Would be nice with more native forestry. Also most of our towns and villages are absolute traffic clogged dives.

Many towns and villages just aren't all that pretty with ugly houses and Frankenstein extension jobs.

Rodin

Rodin wrote: »

You'll have to spend more time outside the Orange Hall

I’m a catholic living in a city. It rarely comes up in conversation, and when it does, I’ve never heard anyone say it mattered to them or that they wanted unification.

chrissb8

Blaze420 wrote: »

The point is choosing an arts degree might as well be an early sign up for the dole- that’s where most of them end up anyway when they realise the qualification isn’t worth a shake of a bad **** in the real world.

A lot of people do courses to enlighten themselves on a topic they are interested in. That says nothing about their employment opportunities.

In fact it would be very sad to get rid of Arts courses or any courses that are deemed "useless" because they won't get you into employment. These are the courses which inspire people to think differently, look at the world differently and understand alot about human nature.

That's not a waste. In fact your line of thinking is exactly why there needs to be courses such as Arts.

Zebra3

sandbelter wrote: »

Actuality: Not so. They are passive aggressive, they'll simply go silent, the Irish won their independence via guerrilla attacks, not full frontal assaults.

Partial independence won for part of the country via tactics that were adopted after the heavy defeat of 1916.

friendlyfun

Blaze420 wrote: »

Staring at paintings or reading books don’t pay the bills or rent - much like doing a college course in the “orts” is code word for being a useless sponging bastard who can’t face the real world of holding down a job or paying bills without government subsidised welfare payments. The “artistes” tend to have a very romanticised and deluded view of their place in the world.

That is totally not the point. You don't have to have an arts degree to appreciate art or read books. If you think those things are for a minority of art students I have got news for you. God forbid people enjoy things other than GAA or soccer

I suppose James Joyce was just a scrounger and George Bernard Shaw a government artist living off the backs of hardworking people like you who toil 7 days a week down the coal mines coughing off up their lungs

fryup

LuasSimon wrote: »

The friendly Irish is definitely almost gone .

Most Irish are too busy looking at their phones or on their earphones than talk to their neighbour or be pleasant to anyone near them .

same could be said throughout the western world, a sign of the modern times we're living in i suppose

LuasSimon

LuasSimon wrote: »

The friendly Irish is definitely almost gone .

Most Irish are too busy looking at their phones or on their earphones than talk to their neighbour or be pleasant to anyone near them .

Mainly an urban thing.

Omackeral

That we’re amazing football fans. We’re not. We’re great at pretending we’re mancs and scousers or cockneys every weekend though.... while somehow simultaneously hating the English. It’s legitimately mental carry on.

Sam Quentin

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

That we're religious (not true).

Well I'm religious(in my own way)and most people I know are religious,.I can't imagine not having a local church, a local Catholic priest, communions, confirmations, proper Catholic weddings, proper Catholic funerals.... Beautiful old/new churches as you drive around Ireland.. tourists and visitors also love all that about Ireland and the Irish people.

Thelonious Monk

Omackeral wrote: »

That we’re amazing football fans. We’re not. We’re great at pretending we’re mancs and scousers or cockneys every weekend though.... while somehow simultaneously hating the English. It’s legitimately mental carry on.

Ah some of the LOI fans are good, it's a British game/culture so it does show up in chanting etc, I way prefer Bohs fans to Ireland fans anyway. I would never go to a tournament though if Ireland qualified after all the cringeworthy sh*te going on last time with the nuns and the 4000 videos and articles a day about how amazing we are because we clean up cans and stuff.

1 sheep2

Mysterypunter wrote: »

It isn't worse, a 13 or 14 year old kid here would piss through grade 12 in the USA. Grade 12 is 17-18 years old.

McGaggs wrote: »

Definitely noticed that. I thought that with only doing 3 A level subjects they'd have a better knowledge in their chosen subjects. Nope, honours maths seemed to have out me miles ahead of their a Level math despite having 5 other subjects to cover as well.

Are you guys serious? You're matching their ignorant generalisations with generalisations of your own. If you know anything about British education, you'll know that their best private schools are among the best in the world. (Ditto American 'magnet' schools.) And certain grammar and state schools perform similarly well. Having been to an academically well-regarded private school in Ireland, I can say confidently that Irish schools do not compare favourably with top British ones. Where we do well is that the average standard is good. But much of that is down to a more socially equal society than theirs and, until recently, a complete absence of children of immigrants in schools.

I don't know how you could think A-Level maths is inferior to LC.

McGaggs wrote: »

If you're in third level education with them, they'll ask about it. Starting from an opinion thatay we're thick, they find the name of the exam hilarious.

"They'll ask about it..." This strikes me as patently a prejudice. How many times did you have to hear it before being comfortable making that generalisation?

The final exam in Scotland used to be called the Leaving Cert. Was it a subject of ridicule, too?

Edgware

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

Ah some of the LOI fans are good, it's a British game/culture so it does show up in chanting etc, I way prefer Bohs fans to Ireland fans anyway. I would never go to a tournament though if Ireland qualified after all the cringeworthy sh*te going on last time with the nuns and the 4000 videos and articles a day about how amazing we are because we clean up cans and stuff.

Ah the "best supporters in the world"
Pass the vomit bucket

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Sam Quentin wrote: »

Well I'm religious(in my own way)and most people I know are religious,.I can't imagine not having a local church, a local Catholic priest, communions, confirmations, proper Catholic weddings, proper Catholic funerals.... Beautiful old/new churches as you drive around Ireland.. tourists and visitors also love all that about Ireland and the Irish people.

Depends on how you define "your own way"!

That kind of makes my point about pandering to traditions: we'll have the kids baptised, communed, confirmed and so on, but we don't do it out of belief.

Rodin

Dav010 wrote: »

I’m a catholic living in a city. It rarely comes up in conversation, and when it does, I’ve never heard anyone say it mattered to them or that they wanted unification.

Then they are Unionists.

Rodin

McGaggs wrote: »

Definitely noticed that. I thought that with only doing 3 A level subjects they'd have a better knowledge in their chosen subjects. Nope, honours maths seemed to have out me miles ahead of their a Level math despite having 5 other subjects to cover as well.

TBH, I reckon it's because the Leaving Certificate is such a bad name. It sounds like a cert given to a lad who leaves school at 15 to work on the factory floor.

Nonsense.
Leaving Cert doesn't even include mechanics. Another subject (applied maths) has to be done for that.
A Level Maths includes mechanics.

It only stands to reason that fewer A level subjects studied for the same 2 years will cover more material per subject.

fryup

the only people i've come across that are really serious about reunification are usually SF voting-celtic supporting-wolfe tone listening-knuckle draggers...most regular people are blasé about it

Rodin

Rodin wrote: »

Then they are Unionists.

You’ve made the op’s point right there. You assume that if you don’t care about a united Ireland, you must be a Unionist.

The perception that you can only be a Unionist or Nationalist isn’t true, you can be indifferent to both.

Rodin

Dav010 wrote: »

You’ve made the op’s point right there. You assume that if you don’t care about a united Ireland, you must be a Unionist.

The perception that you can only be a Unionist or Nationalist isn’t true, you can be indifferent to both.

If you don't wish for change then you are pro the status quo. In this case that is N.Ireland being in the union

Rodin

fryup wrote: »

the only people i've come across that are really serious about reunification are usually SF voting-celtic supporting-wolfe tone listening-knuckle draggers...most regular people are blasé about it

I'm a nationalist and am none of those things.

sparkledrum

That we love potatoes

Rodin

Rodin wrote: »

If you don't wish for change then you are pro the status quo. In this case that is N.Ireland being in the union

Nope, It just may not be important to you and you can just not give a f**k either way.

DanielODonnell

py2006 wrote: »

That we are all nice, friendly with a great sense of humour!

I have met, worked with some absolute disgusting human beings with extreme narcissistic personality disorders. People who are vile and obnoxious and horrible to anybody who is not in their circle. (And even in their circle)

Other than them, we are deadly!

People who are nice and friendly often aren't good people anyway, they are just good actors. I have seen it all my life, people with fake personalities who talk about you once your back is turned.

1 sheep2

Rodin wrote: »

If you don't wish for change then you are pro the status quo. In this case that is N.Ireland being in the union

I despise this form of assertive Irish stupidity.

FVP3

1 sheep2 wrote: »

Are you guys serious? You're matching their ignorant generalisations with generalisations of your own. If you know anything about British education, you'll know that their best private schools are among the best in the world. (Ditto American 'magnet' schools.) And certain grammar and state schools perform similarly well. Having been to an academically well-regarded private school in Ireland, I can say confidently that Irish schools do not compare favourably with top British ones. Where we do well is that the average standard is good. But much of that is down to a more socially equal society than theirs and, until recently, a complete absence of children of immigrants in schools.

The average standard and the leaving cert vs A-Level was what he was talking about. As to the geniuses coming out of the best education system in the UK, or the US, given most of the conservative Brexit cabinet is 50% oxbridge, and 50% privately schooled as well, I am dubious about that. Trump is also an Ivy league graduate.

I don't know how you could think A-Level maths is inferior to LC.

I don't see why not. I don't know what it is like now but when I looked at both in the 1990s they were broadly similar. That said the leaving cert has probably dumbed down recently so it may be different now.

1 sheep2 wrote: »

I despise this form of assertive Irish stupidity.

You are going to have to argue a bit better than that. What is stupid, or assertive, or Irish about what he said?

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Rodin wrote: »

If you don't wish for change then you are pro the status quo. In this case that is N.Ireland being in the union

I couldn't give a fiddlers what happens to Norhern Ireland. This is not support in either direction or pro-anything.

Das Reich

That is in Europe (not only geographically).

1 sheep2

FVP3 wrote: »

The average standard and the leaving cert vs A-Level was what he was talking about. As to the geniuses coming out of the best education system in the UK, or the US, given most of the conservative cabinet which is 50% oxbridge, and 50% privately schooled as well, I am dubious about that. Trump is also an Ivy league graduate.

No, they were arguing that the standard of education is markedly better in Ireland than the UK or US. It's not. "Given most of the conservative cabinet which is 50% oxbridge, and 50% privately schooled as well..." You see this brainless argument regularly from populists. It makes me cringe.

I don't see why not. I don't know what it is like now but when I looked at both in the 1990s they were broadly similar. That said the leaving cert has probably dumbed down recently so it may be different now.

20+ years ago, when you had a glance, they seemed the same to you. Fantastic.

You are going to have to argue a bit better than that. What is stupid, or assertive, or Irish about what he said?.

Quite telling that you also take issue with this. I am making no argument. I am merely expressing my contempt.

FVP3

completedit wrote: »

Hmmm, kind of, I think there's this idea that Ireland's scenery and beauty is like no other. I think it's because of Irish people moving to ****e industrialised UK cities and then coming home and seeing a coastline and green. Basically everything we do is compared to the UK. It is our national reference point.

Generally it is foreigners who love our landscape, we don't really talk about it much. Britain also has a great landscape of course. Neither Ireland or Britain have the very best single landscapes in the world, but we have a huge amount of different scenery packed into a small area, and a rugged coastline, particularly the west of Ireland and Scotland.

The funny thing I think about Ireland is that we never really appreciate just how insane it was that our similarly sized small island neighbour became one of the most dominant empire's in the world. It's pretty cool when you think that it could have been Ireland. I suppose we all existed in a time of European power and influence but really on a historic scale, we are literally from the back arse of nowhere.

Why would we think about the British Empire overmuch, don't they do that enough? It was impressive that they had that Empire but it was more circumstance than anything else.

And why is Ireland the back arse of anywhere. Places fetished on this site like australia are further away from economic centres. Although the economic centre of the world is drifting towards Asia, for most of the post war period the wealth was in the West, broadly speaking western Europe and the US.