When folk say Ireland has an "island mentality", what do they mean?

Palmerstown_guy

I'm hearing that more and more these days.

What does it mean exactly? Besides that we are indeed an Island!

kincsem

We live on an island and we are mental.

force eleven

Us against 'them'

Doc

Palmerstown_guy wrote: »

I'm hearing that more and more these days.

What does it mean exactly? Besides that we are indeed an Island!

It means we think of ourselves in isolation from the rest of the world that what effects them wont affect us.

minidazzler

It means they will give out about Globalisation while eating a McDonalds Meal.

My name is URL

It means we're small minded and opposed to change

now ger off my lawn

Mr Benevolent

Australia's an island and definitely has an island mentality, i.e:

'Dem forners dey tuk ar jowbs!'
'Dem coloured folks are bayd n lazy! *snore*'

AnonoBoy

It means we need to build more bridges. For it is only by building bridges that one can truly bridge the great divide that divides us and in bridging that divide we ourselves are building bridges from our souls to one another and dividing ourselves from evil forever and ever amen.

Mr Benevolent

AnonoBoy wrote: »

It means we need to build more bridges. For it is only by building bridges that one can truly bridge the great divide that divides us and in bridging that divide we ourselves are building bridges from our souls to one another and dividing ourselves from evil forever and ever amen.

In other words to be happy we all have to become structural engineers?

AnonoBoy

Confab wrote: »

In other words to be happy we all have to become structural engineers?

You are wise beyond your years my child. Go in peace. Amen.

Mr Benevolent

AnonoBoy wrote: »

You are wise beyond your years my child. Go in peace. Amen.

Eamonn.

GavRedKing

Confab wrote: »

In other words to be happy we all have to become structural engineers?

Thats a constructive solution.

Dancor

We dont trust people from the mainland.

Buceph

It means they're too lazy. The only time I've heard it has been from people whose only activity has been going to the pub. Then they complain there's nothing to do and waste away their lives. Eventually the move to a city in America or maybe London and preach about how much better it is and accuse Ireland of having an "Island Mentality". They'd have realised that Ireland can be just as good as any of those places if they'd gotten off their arses when they were at home and tried to better themselves. It's only the natural discomfort of being somewhere new that lead them to appreciate something. Basically they're lazy bastards.

NothingMan

It means we are all really happy cos we spend all day lying in hammocks, drinking from coconut shells and wearing grass skirts.

Nichololas

It means we get a little too close to our cousins.

ejmaztec

AnonoBoy wrote: »

It means we need to build more bridges. For it is only by building bridges that one can truly bridge the great divide that divides us and in bridging that divide we ourselves are building bridges from our souls to one another and dividing ourselves from evil forever and ever amen.

You forgot to mention the bridges.