Do you feel European?

Therickmachine

Interesting to hear what people think of this.
In England I have lost track of the amount of time people say " well in Europe" like they are not even a part of it. Nor do they seem to want to be.

I know public opinon of the EU is very high in Ireland (though that may have changed since Lisbon )

Personally, I feel European in that we have the euro, free movement, immigration from Eastern Europe etc etc.

However, culturally I feel the UK and Ireland are quite different from the rest of Europe in language, media and culture!

I have occasionally found people from the rest of Europe to be very different in terms of opinion and whats normal for them.

I find some of their opinions quite strange for me. I find they tend to be much more formal than we are. For example in France I was nearly shot in France for calling a lecturer by his first name (well no one told me not to ) I was considered quite rude for doing so!
Other Europeans agreed its not the done thing whereas the Americans and English couldn t understand what I had done wrong.

On the flipside
They also find Ireland strange. when I told them Irish people in general like to keep their swimsuits on in public showers, they found that too strange to believe. Walkin round naked in changin is just not the done thing back home!

I found it weird that shops don t open on sundays in the continent. When I explained that I worked on Sundays at home for the extra money. They though that is extremely sad and capitalist of me.

I found there is a big difference in wealth and how they like to spend their money. Before I lived in France I didn t realise how wealthy Irish people really are (in comparison) and just how much money they have to throw around compared to other Europeans (especially Eastern Europe):eek:
I felt really guilty about what I had (Im not even from a really wealthy background)
I found I had to conceal what I had or how often my parents visted or took me on holidays as I didn t want to appear spoilt infront of them.
Whereas for other Irish and English what I had was normal!

These are just a few of the many social faux pas and differences, They run into the hundreds unsurprisingly!

I found in general I related more to the English and Americans as we simply had more common ideas, opinions and a shared language of course.

Has anyone else encountered European social faux pas? I know I made millions of mistakes before finally understanding and getting it right!

It was once said Ireland is closer to Boston than Berlin, is this true?
Do other people feel its an "us and Europe" situation or are we all one big happy European family?

omgiluvxmas

didnt they have some statisitic a while back that irish people feel the most european.

this is actually a good thread but some twat is guarenteed to come on here with some boring damning opinion on ireland.


ive lived in america and germany and i found america much more different than ireland for some reason despite the shared language.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Yes, but then I live in Berlin.

As I said in the British Isles thread, we're more similar to the Birts than to the Europeans.

Photi

I feel lots of Europeans.

Biggins

I'm a European with an Irish based identity, one that I never want to lose and one that I want to maintain by retaining the power to answer only to Irish courts and the Dail to which we get our candidates for by local and national selection - not an international one.

Turd Ferguson

Oui

samhail

When you on the piss in the middle nowhere your not european - your irish !
much better currency !

LolaLuv

I'm American. Everyone here seems pretty European to me, especially the guys.

Mark200

I feel European, but yeah I always hear people around me say "In Europe" or "On the continent" etc which I never understand

SoWatchaWant

WHO thinks of themselves as Europeans eh?

If you mean mainlanders? They're all different really.

Overheal

I feel like im pean 2 or 3 times a day on average.

omgiluvxmas

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Yes, but then I live in Berlin.

As I said in the British Isles thread, we're more similar to the Birts than to the Europeans.

But the brits are european.

and there is a big difference between someone from sweden and southern italy.

Lirange

I feel Irishpean.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

omgiluvxmas wrote: »

But the brits are european.

and there is a big difference between someone from sweden and southern italy.

Geographically, yes. But if you look at attitudes towards commercialism and liberalism and the general scaremongering of the media, we're not that European, believe me.

omgiluvxmas

so are greeks not european? what about spain?

and here a neutral

I'm American. Everyone here seems pretty European to me, especially the guys.

so when this poster thinks of what is european she thinks of as she says irisih guys being european.

Fizman

Therickmachine wrote: »

Do you feel European?

If by European you mean French, and by French you mean Parisian, then no.

omgiluvxmas wrote: »

this is actually a good thread but some twat is guarenteed to come on here with some boring damning opinion on ireland.

Your only on the site two minutes and already calling AH peeps twats?

Fetch me my rape hat.

omgiluvxmas

i lost my old account. I had a few posts from a few years ago.

omgiluvxmas

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Geographically, yes. But if you look at attitudes towards commercialism and liberalism and the general scaremongering of the media, we're not that European, believe me.

and what about italy? are they not european? much more conservative than ireland.

phenomenon

I definitely feel European. And although I think joining the EU was the best thing to ever happen to Ireland, we must be careful to retain our unique national identity. Like most other Europeans, I don't want a United States of Europe.

omgiluvxmas

yeah well said altho i wish we had a common language. German probably since its the most widely spoken language in eu.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

omgiluvxmas wrote: »

and what about italy? are they not european? much more conservative than ireland.

No idea, never been there. Always seemed to be more healthier, though. Mentally as well as physically. And they have a good football team too. Sweden is about as far from Ireland as you can get (not, geographically speaking, before some idiot gets in!)

I was taking the line (as the poll allows) are we more akin to Europe or the UK/US. Definitely the later.

HalloweenJack

I don't know really.

I'm glad to be a European because of the euro, the travel, etc. but having been to nine EU countries, the only one I ever felt comfortable in was Spain and maybe, at a stretch, Portugal. They were the only places where I felt like I could live in comfort. The other places were hard to feel comfortable in, especially Germany.

Like someone else said, it's important that if such a thing as a USE comes along, all countries and cultures can preserve their identitiy and hopefully live side by side.

For me though, I'm Irish first, European a distant second.

omgiluvxmas

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

No idea, never been there. Always seemed to be more healthier, though. Mentally as well as physically. And they have a good football team too. Sweden is about as far from Ireland as you can get (not, geographically speaking, before some idiot gets in!)

I was taking the line (as the poll allows) are we more akin to Europe or the UK/US. Definitely the later.

did you realise the point you made is nonsense and then try to hide that with further nonsense?

What do you mean by 'mentally healthier'


you said we're not that european so what about countries like poland who are also conservative, are they not european?

your also wrong.

The highest prevalence of overweight children is found in southern European countries at around 20-35 percent as opposed to 10-20 percent in northern Europe.

you know nothing my friend. so again then is italy more akin to britian/usa than it is to europe?

KTRIC

Ich bin ein Berliner


no, wait.....

phenomenon

omgiluvxmas wrote: »

yeah well said altho i wish we had a common language. German probably since its the most widely spoken language in eu.

I'm suprised. Do you have a source for this info? I would have thought English to be the most spoken language.

Personally I'd like every country to keep their own native languages for the sake of diversity. Remember Esperanto? Past attempts to construct a common language have failed miserably.

Also I'd like the EU to be secular. Although we in Europe have a common Christian heritage, I don't think religion should intrude on politics. And also because if we give Christianity a special place in Europe, the Muslims will expect the same for their religion (when Turkey joins)

Dord

omgiluvxmas wrote: »

yeah well said altho i wish we had a common language. German probably since its the most widely spoken language in eu.

This reminds me of something... Hmmm... can't quite place it.

ChocolateSauce

You've hit the nail on the head really. I feel European, but I feel Ireland is part of the Anglo culture which is driven by Britain, the Commonwealth realms and the US, and not the mainland culture. I feel the mainland culture is something to aspire to, though the Anglo culture is nothing to cast off.

German, with 100 million speakers, is the most widely used FIRST language, although around 40% of the EU's population can speak English. Good luck getting the French to to though, even if they know how.

Terry

omgiluvxmas wrote: »

did you realise the point you made is nonsense and then try to hide that with further nonsense?

What do you mean by 'mentally healthier'


you said we're not that european so what about countries like poland who are also conservative, are they not european?

your also wrong.



you know nothing my friend. so again then is italy more akin to britian/usa than it is to europe?

Calm down. It's only the internet.

dSTAR

Does being a member of the EU grant you the title of being 'European' or is it more to do with your geographical location?

Over here the majority of Australians call themselves 'stralian and would never entertain the notion that Australia in in Asia.

Valmont

I consider myself European, politically speaking, not that I like wine, mopeds and olive oil. I was thinking of building a path through my garden down to the shed, do you think the E.U could fund 40% of it?

Terry

dSTAR wrote: »

Does being a member of the EU grant you the title of being 'European' or is it more to do with your geographical location?

Over here the majority of Australians call themselves 'stralian and would never entertain the notion that Australia in in Asia.

But Australia isn't in Asia.
It's in Australasia.

nyarlothothep

100% European

Tom65

I'm living with people from everywhere in Europe (and the US), and I definitely feel European now. Most people here say we're more like Americans and British, I disagree. I personally get along best with French people - it depends on the individual.

I think Irish people think we're a lot more like the US/Britain than we are. In terms of national personality (if such a thing exists), I think we're much closer to Mediterranean.

phenomenon

Terry wrote: »

But Australia isn't in Asia.
It's in Australasia.

Although I accept this as fact its a load of bollix isnt it? Australia has nothing in common culturally with Asia and it isn't even attatched to the continent. (Actually do Asian countries even have anything in common with each other?)
Australia and New Zealand along with the Pacific Islands should form Oceania as a distinct continent, for politics sake.

ChocolateSauce

Terry wrote: »

But Australia isn't in Asia.
It's in Australasia.

AKA Oceania. Plus it is just British culture transplanted into a new part of the world and left to develop.

brianwalshcork

phenomenon wrote: »

Australia and New Zealand along with the Pacific Islands should form Oceania as a distinct continent, for politics sake.

Isn't Australia already it's own continent !?!

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

omgiluvxmas wrote: »

did you realise the point you made is nonsense and then try to hide that with further nonsense?

What do you mean by 'mentally healthier'


you said we're not that european so what about countries like poland who are also conservative, are they not european?

your also wrong.



you know nothing my friend. so again then is italy more akin to britian/usa than it is to europe?

Yes, well spotted there are exceptions to every rule. We're talking about a continent of about fifty countries - hardly fair to name two of them and then claim that it's a fari representation and that I "know nothing". OF COURSE there are going to be exceptions. OF COURSE there are going to be generalisations, and generally speaking, Europe is a more liberal and openminded place than the Brittish/North European/North Atlantic Isles, delete as applicable.

Latchy

I'm a peeing right now ...

Also Starring LeVar Burton

A better question would be - do you really care, either way.

In a nutshell - no.

Flex

No, I wouldnt describe myself as being a European. I feel we are quite different to people on the continent (and to people in the UK and US too for that matter). Ive been over in Britain a good few times and too the US and continental Europe a few times and definitely didnt feel particularly close to them culturally or whatever.

If I were to live in those places I might end up thinking differently, Im open to changing my mind on the issue, but for now, dont 'feel' European

harney

Going with European on this one. Living in the UK at the moment, but would move to Germany at the drop of a hat. The people seemed very friendly there and the humour is quite similar to the Irish - at least the Bavarians I have met (although in fairness most Germans don't count them as German, or just hate them on site )

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Nah I don't feel like a european, maybe it's because we are an island right on the edge of Europe. I do say "on the continent" and not "in europe". I know I am european but it feels... a bit... weird?

jester77

harney wrote: »

Going with European on this one. Living in the UK at the moment, but would move to Germany at the drop of a hat. The people seemed very friendly there and the humour is quite similar to the Irish - at least the Bavarians I have met (although in fairness most Germans don't count them as German, or just hate them on site )

Yeah, they are a bit like Cork people down there in Bavaria, think they should be their own land... must be something to do with living in the deep south

Latchy

Top 50 'typically British' traits
Sunday, November 9, 2008

Now apart from the obsession with royal family /stif upper lip .How many of these could we irish relate to as being ......well .......Irish traits to ? I would say the majority of boards people will have most of these traits to ,if only from being on here over a year and reading post's on related topics as such

we have more in common with Brits than we think


1. Talking about the weather
2. Great at queueing
3. Sarcasm
4. Watching soaps
5. Getting drunk
6. A love of bargains
7. A love of curtain twitching
8. Stiff upper lip
9. Love of all television
10. Moaning
11. Obsession with class
12. Gossiping with neighbours over the garden fence
13. Obsession with the traffic
14. Enjoying other people's misfortune
15. Inability to complain
16. Love of cheap foreign holidays
17. Working long hours
18. A soothing cup of tea to ease worries
19. Eating meat and two veg
20. Looking uncomfortable on the dance floor
21. Feeling uncomfortable when people talk about their emotions
22. Clever sense of humour
23. Obsession with property values
24. Pandering to political correctness
25. Road rage
26. Being unhappy with our weight
27. Wanting a good tan
28. Being proud of where we live
29. Not saying what we mean
30. The ability to laugh at ourselves
31. Washing the car on a Sunday
32. Taking the mickey out of others
33. Asking people about their journey
34. Inability not to comment on how other people bring up their children
35. Jealousy of wealth and success
36. Being overly polite
37. Texting instead of calling
38. An inability to express our emotions
39. Obsession with the Royal Family
40. Fondness for mowing the lawn
41. Love of rambling through the countryside
42. A love of all things deep fried
43. Emulating celebrity lifestyles
44. Leaving things to the last minute
45. Irony
46. Keeping our homes neat and tidy
47. Take decisions and accept the consequences
48. Achieving against all odds
49. Wanting our sportsmen / teams to fail
50. DIY on a Bank Holiday

Holsten

No, not at all.

Latchy

Holsten wrote: »

No, not at all.

Ah your new age or maybe 21rst century man ........maybe not you but so many threads say different .

Latchy

jester77 wrote: »

Yeah, they are a bit like Cork people down there in Bavaria, think they should be their own land... must be something to do with living in the deep south

And kerry people to ,from Gods own county country .

Xavi6

Not in the slightest

Ruu_Old

Divil a bit.

dSTAR

Terry wrote: »

But Australia isn't in Asia.
It's in Australasia.

Much as Ireland is in the British Isles ...

dlofnep

I feel Irish. I can't say I've ever felt European. Nobody in this thread would ever label themselves as a European first and foremost.