What nationalities do you think Irish people are similar to?

Capt'n Midnight

goldenbrown wrote: »

people of vulcan

Irish wimmins are not logical.

Capt'n Midnight

legologic wrote: »

One in particular said Dublin is her second home after Bergen in Norway because she feels very comfortable here around Irish people.

Bergen is the Galway of Norway.

Elmo

goldenbrown wrote: »

people of vulcan

Earth = Ireland
Valcan = England/Germany

markopantelic

Good thread.

Answer we are most like the British, and nothing really like the Americans(culturally we are a homogenous country, they are exact opposite), yes it is in theory much easier for a European from Ireland to assimilate in the USA than a Pole, the same could be said for a south african but many people in Europe consume American culture, me being from dublin, ireland am no more connected with a new yorker than someone in berlin.

we are like norweigans when it comes to sport, a devotion to english football as if its our own, only in these two countries could you get people supporting run of the mill clubs(leeds aston villa, tottenham), anywhere else its always the big teams.(i support an irish team for the record)

in fact we probably share quite a bit with norway overall except we have a conservative country as a whole, their relationship with germany is a little bit like ours with the UK.

iceland is another place we are quite alike.

Ostrom

I would say there is a distinctively regional character to our international similarities - you cant speak in terms of a singular 'Irishness'

Hookey

In some ways like the Poles, fond of a drink, nervous of their bigger neighbours (in their case in both directions), catholic guilt. But in reality we're most like the Brits, but specifically northerners, which isn't that surprising as you don't have to dig very deep to find an Irish ancestor or two in most northern family trees, particularly in the north-west. Its also why the Aussies are the most similar "colonials" to us. (New Zealanders and Canadians have far more of an English and particularly Scottish influence). Weirdly I don't think we're anything like the Welsh.

Elmo

Hookey wrote: »

In some ways like the Poles, fond of a drink, nervous of their bigger neighbours (in their case in both directions), catholic guilt. But in reality we're most like the Brits, but specifically northerners, which isn't that surprising as you don't have to dig very deep to find an Irish ancestor or two in most northern family trees, particularly in the north-west. Its also why the Aussies are the most similar "colonials" to us. (New Zealanders and Canadians have far more of an English and particularly Scottish influence). Weirdly I don't think we're anything like the Welsh.

Northern England?

I think we are all in agreement that we are more like everyone in the world. Which leads me to believe we aren't like anyone other then ourselves.

Answer we are most like the British, and nothing really like the Americans(culturally we are a homogenous country, they are exact opposite),

We are far more likely to use Americanisms then the British from a language point of view, again that relates to immigration and the amount of American movies and TV we consume.

I would say the Americans are far more Homogeneous than most European countries (bar the big immigration cities, but than all cities could be excluded from such a statement).

Lirange

Affable wrote: »

I'm English, so what do I know, but I always thought the Irish had some similarities with Aussies. A dislike of affectations of refinement, and taking ones dignity too seriously, an irreverence, some insousciance, laid backish, straight talking, hard work ethos, know when to satnd up for yourself etc. Masculinity emphasised.

I think you might find that's true of convicts everywhere. :pac: Don't tase me I'm turkin der piss.

Affable wrote: »

Spain I think invaded Ireland and Wales. Don't the celts as well go back to Northen Spain genetically?

Some do. Some don't. Many of the early "Britons" (I use the term loosely) are descended from people that are today known as the Basques in Northern Spain and Southern France. Their presence is more pronounced in Wales than in Ireland though. The peoples that brought over the "Celt" culture (also loosely applied) were from waves of Gaelic migrations. Their origins are disputed. Some say central Europe, the Belgae, Western France, or a combination of these, etc.

Affable wrote: »

I always thought the English were less like Irish and Scots and more like Dutch, and believe it or not, Germans, perhaps Swedes as well. More detached, aloof and logical than emotional.

There's a cultural and genetic link there too.

seanybiker

What country is full of begrudgers?
whinges about everything?
Loves the feeling of being more powerful than neighbours?
Farts a lot



We're like them.

Lirange

Elmo wrote: »

I would say the Americans are far more Homogeneous than most European countries (bar the big immigration cities, but than all cities could be excluded from such a statement).

Homogeneous in what way? That's not an accurate description inside or outside of cities. Homogeneous like this? That's just one example of thousands. Emigration to America didn't become a mainly urban phenomenon until the turn of the 20th Century. If they weren't Irish odds are they were settling in more rural agricultural areas. The Irish were just one of many sources of emigrants. They were not even the largest bloc. Also you'll find more Black citizens in rural areas of America, especially the South than you'll ever find in the countryside of the English midlands let alone the west of Ireland.

markopantelic

Elmo wrote: »

I think we are all in agreement that we are more like everyone in the world. Which leads me to believe we aren't like anyone other then ourselves.

This.

civildefence

We're like the British to be honest. We share a cultural, social and political circle with them. Mainly due to the media and our close proximity to eachother.

Serenity Now!

markopantelic wrote: »

we are like norweigans when it comes to sport, a devotion to english football as if its our own, only in these two countries could you get people supporting run of the mill clubs(leeds aston villa, tottenham), anywhere else its always the big teams.(i support an irish team for the record)

Norway is a much more sporting and outdoor country than Ireland will ever be. Premiership soccer (and that pathetic two-horse race in Scotland) is followed just as keenly by other Nordic countries and European countries such as Germany and even Italy.

markopantelic wrote: »

in fact we probably share quite a bit with norway overall except we have a conservative country as a whole, their relationship with germany is a little bit like ours with the UK

Norway's relationship with Germany is NOTHING like that of the Republic of Ireland and the UK. I honestly have no idea where you get this weird notion from.

Serenity Now!

civildefence wrote: »

We're like the British to be honest. We share a cultural, social and political circle with them. Mainly due to the media and our close proximity to eachother.

Correctimundo.

Elmo

Lirange wrote: »

Homogeneous in what way? That's not an accurate description inside or outside of cities. Homogeneous like this? That's just one example of thousands. Emigration to America didn't become a mainly urban phenomenon until the turn of the 20th Century. If they weren't Irish odds are they were settling in more rural agricultural areas. The Irish were just one of many sources of emigrants. They were not even the largest bloc. Also you'll find more Black citizens in rural areas of America, especially the South than you'll ever find in the countryside of the English midlands let alone the west of Ireland.

My idea of American Homogeous comes from their View point. I have met many americans and they seem to have the same out look regarless of background i.e. African, Irish, Italian. I am of course talking about 2nd + generations rather than then newer immigrants who would be obviously more like their native country.

Elmo

civildefence wrote: »

We're like the British to be honest. We share a cultural, social and political circle with them. Mainly due to the media and our close proximity to eachother.

How do we share a political circle with them? Our political system is based on their but so are many of the other counties that they ruled over during the 18th Century.

I think The British are very different in terms of culture, i.e. English, Welsh and Scotish are all very different.

As for our media, most of what we watch on TV is American and we really don't listen to British Radio. Our newspapers have seen an influx of Irish editions in more recent years.

Lirange

Serenity Now! wrote: »

Norway's relationship with Germany is NOTHING like that of the Republic of Ireland and the UK. I honestly have no idea where you get this weird notion from.

Having spent a couple summers in Trondheim I'm probably even more startled by that idea than you. Norwegians are not generally keen on Germany nor German culture. They really are only tapped into three countries in any significant way: Iceland, Sweden, and the UK.

Lirange

Elmo wrote: »

My idea of American Homogeous comes from their View point. I have met many americans and they seem to have the same out look regarless of background

So you're talking strictly about attitudes? And just going on your anecdotal personal experience? Cities are always generally going to be more cosmopolitan than rural areas in any country. C'mon you've seen Hot Fuzz! My anecdotal personal experience seems to support the idea that America has more elements of the polar extremes when it comes to outlook, attitudes, etc.

Elmo

Lirange wrote: »

So you're talking strictly about attitudes? And just going on your anecdotal personal experience? Cities are always generally going to be more cosmopolitan than rural areas in any country. C'mon you've seen Hot Fuzz! My anecdotal personal experience seems to support the idea that America has more elements of the polar extremes when it comes to outlook, attitudes, etc.

In fairness America is a very big country, I am sure the people in Alska are quite different to those in New York.

But then if we look at culture the US is quite Homogenous.
Media: NBC, CBS, FOX ect with local varients. We don't have such pan-
European stations. And course HOLLYWOOD in general.
Sports: American Football, Baseball and Ice Hockey
Culture: Accent fairly similar across the US with some changes, and lack of cultural identity due to immigration.
Politics Democrat or Republican.
The so called American Dream.

And lets all face it we are all giving opinions based on anecdotal personal experiences.

Lirange

Elmo wrote: »

But then if we look at culture the US is quite Homogenous.
Media: NBC, CBS, FOX ect with local varients. We don't have such pan-
European stations.

You did state America was more homogeneous than most European countries. Not the whole of Europe. If you want to argue that the USA is more homogeneous than the entire continent you'll get no argument from me. Otherwise many of the other things you mentioned are also characteristics attributable to most of the large European Countries. I also wouldn't equate provincialism or insularity with lack of homogeneity. Lack of outside influence doesn't preclude a heterogeneous population. It's not hard to selectively scrape the surface of America to construct a false impression of a monolithic culture.

pwd

we're similar to british people, and are becoming similar to americans.

Elmo

Lirange wrote: »

You did state America was more homogeneous than most European countries. Not the whole of Europe. If you want to argue that the USA is more homogeneous than the entire continent you'll get no argument from me. Otherwise many of the other things you mentioned are also characteristics attributable to most of the large European Countries. I also wouldn't equate provincialism or insularity with lack of homogeneity. Lack of outside influence doesn't preclude a heterogeneous population. It's not hard to selectively scrape the surface of America to construct a false impression of a monolithic culture.

Just thinking about this, I think if someone asked What other Americans are New Yorkers like?

And people gave their opinons and some suggested Florida or California etc etc. Surely they would be even more like the all of the other states of America? than we are to other Europeans.

But lets give the example of the town you suggested as homogeneous (because most of the residence are white) I would think that an African-American would settle in far more quickly in that town than lets say a non-English speaking person. Actually most Americans regardless of race would fit into that small town. Perhaps I am wrong.

I seem disprove my point but my point really is that race doesn't matter with Americans causing the general populations to be quite Homogeneous.

markopantelic

Serenity Now! wrote: »

Norway is a much more sporting and outdoor country than Ireland will ever be. Premiership soccer (and that pathetic two-horse race in Scotland) is followed just as keenly by other Nordic countries and European countries such as Germany and even Italy.


Norway's relationship with Germany is NOTHING like that of the Republic of Ireland and the UK. I honestly have no idea where you get this weird notion from.

Jesus you'd think I insulted your mother, this is what I heard, they view Germany with a little suspicion, prob bull****.


And Ireland has very high sporting participation.

civildefence

Elmo wrote: »

How do we share a political circle with them?

We have no choice but to, as a result of the situation up North.

Elmo wrote: »

As for our media, most of what we watch on TV is American and we really don't listen to British Radio. Our newspapers have seen an influx of Irish editions in more recent years.

Nearly every TV channel we have is broadcast from the UK.
You'd be surprised how many people in places like Leitrim, Cavan etc listen to BBC Radio 1.
And not being funny but the "Irish" Sun etc are simply variants of the British papers.

Elmo

civildefence wrote: »

We have no choice but to, as a result of the situation up North.

Ah, but then the Brits prob don't recongise that all that much.

Nearly every TV channel we have is broadcast from the UK.
You'd be surprised how many people in places like Leitrim, Cavan etc listen to BBC Radio 1.
And not being funny but the "Irish" Sun etc are simply variants of the British papers.

Broadcasting American TV, Britian is becoming more and more Americanised, RTÉ had to broadcast US shows unlike ITV, BBC and C4 who have alot more money to produce Local programming.

You would be surprised by the amount of people in the border counties that actually listen to local radio.

I understand that the Tabloids are british varients. Irish tabloids never seemed to catch on, bar The Sunday World, The Hearld and The Star (Its Irish isn't it???) never sure about the Star. But then I don't read them.

The Sunday Times Irish Edition is actually very Irish. As for the Mail (wait that's a tabliod )

I do understand that there are many British influences, but as everyone has pointed out there are alot of other influences too.

I don't think the Scottish, Welsh or English are anything like one another.

conchubhar1

the majority, are in all ways we are like the english and the americans

but that is leaving out our own culture, language, sports etc (but shush, we cant mention that we want to suppress that. keep it on the qt - we need to compare ourselves to other countries and be more like them pffff...)

Serenity Now!

Lirange wrote: »

Having spent a couple summers in Trondheim I'm probably even more startled by that idea than you. Norwegians are not generally keen on Germany nor German culture. They really are only tapped into three countries in any significant way: Iceland, Sweden, and the UK.

I lived in Oslo for five years with the better half being Norwegian, so I found it a fairly baseless assumption. The three countries that make up Scandinavia have numerous cultural connections (Iceland and Finland are not considered Scandinavian but along with Scandinavia make up the Nordic countries). Outside of that, zilch.
Norway is so unlike Germany that the poster's point made me laugh out loud.

The best answer to the original question can only really be given by a non-Irish person, in my opinion, and I'll bet the house that its Irish folk being most similar to English folk as with the Welsh and the Scottish.

asdasd

I always thought the English were less like Irish and Scots and more like Dutch, and believe it or not, Germans, perhaps Swedes as well. More detached, aloof and logical than emotional.

As someone who works in both ( well northern Germany and South Western England) I disagree. I may go to the least friendly parts of Germany, and the friendlier parts of England ( the West country) but the English are far friendlier than the Germans.

Germans are a relatively rude people. There is little acknowlegement ( a hello) even in small towns and villages, when passing people.

The Welsh I dont get at all. i dont think they like us, and I dont think we like them when we meet them. The English like us if we dont ahve a chip on our shoulder ( or hide ie :-) )

What is interesting is the change in culture from South Western England to Wales - just up the road. It is clearly a different culture, and I find the English more palatable.

phelixoflaherty

Most like the Last of the Mohicans.

Húrin

Genetically we are related to the Spanish, Scandinavians and British.