to those who are emigrating....

dirtyghettokid

i am noticing a trend here and i would just like to hear people's thoughts/stories.

alot of people are emigrating from ireland to the US & canada and all i see are posts like
"is there no gaa here?"
"where are the irish pubs?"
"where can i get irish butter/tea/crisps" ??

are you people moving abroad for a different lifestyle? or is it only to get away from the poor economy?

it just seems silly to emigrate and then moan that things aren't the same as they are in ireland. i would have thought that if you move away you should embrace a bit of change and try new things! no?

what are your stories? (reasons for choosing the US/canada and emigrating)

Black Swan

Crossed the pond to take advantage of a top ranked university programme. Although I occasionally miss a good rasher at breakfast, I have learned to cook pretty grand southwestern dishes while in California. No real complaints.

red menace

We have yet to be in an Irish pub here in Edmonton, most of them look like a poor analogue from the outside tbh.
I would say if I have heard 2 Irish accents since we got here it would be the most of it.
I did the Oz thing in 05 and it basically turned into Carlow with better weather.
It was one of my biggest regrets that I didn't get away from the Irish pub/club/GAA thing and actually try integrating with the locals and doing something different from the norm.

lil_lisa

I moved over to California for work and OH almost two years ago. The only reason I look for Irish stuff (like rashers and blackcurrant juice) is to have my US friends try them and experience them. There is a big Irish American community in this country, but its very Americanised, so to show them the real Irish without having to leave the country is fun.

Chet Zar

I think it's just something you're bound to get on any expat-type forum. You should head over to Britishexpats.com - I reckon the Brits are much worse for it. Lots of threads on links to British TV and the like! When I was leaving I was getting a box of Barry's tea put in my case but I left it out in the end as like you say - you should be looking to immerse yourself in the destination culture.

However - I actually think a lot of it is down to the fact that the food/culture in the destination country (e.g. Canada in my case) really does pale in comparison, and can be pretty poor! An example is bread here in Canada - it's sweet and not like bread at all - the second ingredient is often glucose-fructose syrup! Then things like sport - can't get in to hockey at all and doubt I ever would. Hard not to miss things like a good slice of Irish wholemeal and some decent sport not constantly interrupted by ad breaks and the like!

dirtyghettokid

Chet Zar wrote: »

However - I actually think a lot of it is down to the fact that the food/culture in the destination country (e.g. Canada in my case) really does pale in comparison, and can be pretty poor! An example is bread here in Canada - it's sweet and not like bread at all - the second ingredient is often glucose-fructose syrup! Then things like sport - can't get in to hockey at all and doubt I ever would. Hard not to miss things like a good slice of Irish wholemeal and some decent sport not constantly interrupted by ad breaks and the like!

yes but every country has it's downfalls and good things. you also have to remember that every country has a view of other countries. so take your irish pub for example. people are saying they are crap. well it's canada, not ireland. i've been to a canadian pub in london UK and it made me LOL. it's all about stereotypes. if you want a genuine irish pub in canada it'll have to be run by irish people who are living there that knows the difference between a real irish pub and a canadian take on irish pubs. also remember that the majority of people in canada are canadians so they might think their irish pubs are great and they're paying customers... so.....

anyway, will be interesting to see more reasons for emigrating. i'd say there'll be barrel loads more after today's budget.

Javiero

Ref Canada Destination Posts:


There are Many Pros and cons to every country.
One major consideration that should be made when deciding which country to emmigrate to would be the cuisine IMO.
Its obvious that the food will differ from one country to the next, and face it your never going to be eat all of the foods that your used to back home and fully comfortable with.
I have been to various parts of Canada (4 of the 10 provinces) in the last four years. Thats five trips over four years with an average of two to three weeks each visit.
Over those visits I have sampled many different types of their food and although the food is different I dont find anything bad about it. (At least it comes on plates and not bucket loads like the US lol) I find the change is exciting and stimulating.
Now, I will put my hand up for missing Irish sausages, Rashers, White pudding,Lyons Tea.
I'm a coffee drinker and find their coffee to be a higher standard than the average over here.


@ Chet Zar: Im just curious why you left Ireland if you find Canadian food so poor. Oh, and as for sport. Cant skate? Get the bus!! It doesn't make their major sport crap IMO. Job?

As above. Its a change and that's meant to be as good as a rest!:D

MrMatisse

Those who are forced to leave and probably never wanted to, miss home badly and these things make them feel a little bit better....

lil_lisa

Javiero wrote: »

One major consideration that should be made when deciding which country to emmigrate to would be the cuisine IMO....

@ Chet Zar: Im just curious why you left Ireland if you find Canadian food so poor.

Honestly, I would never consider food to be a factor for me. Coming from a small town in Ireland where there were roughly three different types of restaurants in total means almost anywhere can satisfy your dietary needs. I personally would never choose somewhere over another because of its food. I would take in a lot more factors, like the weather, the people, the economy, my ties to that country and so on.

Frei

I'm heading to Canada because the job I do with the science degree I graduated in, is actually in demand over there, so I am hoping I will have a chance at getting a job, even if the certification process is a bit complicated, doing that at the moment. May have to do a few months of bridging programs but I don't mind that.

I would never choose a country based on the food, that is just ridiculous! More like stability or climate. I am pretty flexible when it comes to food anyway. And to all those missing a bit of brown bread sure that is the easiest thing in the world to make! Buttermilk,wholemeal flour, plain flour, an egg yolk and a bit of milk. I can't really think of food items I would miss. I don't like Cadbury's chocolate. Tea is tea to me, I don't have any particular brand affiliation.

So yes I am getting away because there ain't nothing for me here as a graduate. Looking at Canadian job sites, it's amazing the sheer volume of jobs available in my sector compared to here, and at entry level! I chose Canada because there are a lot of things I like about it, culture, music,people etc. And I find the accent funny I would much prefer it to America, as a place to live. I would love the opportunity to explore Nunavat, and the more wilder places...

fat__tony

My main reason for coming here is primarily career related and to get away from a sinking ship also.

I don't miss anything Irish and to be honest I try and avoid the whole Irish scene here. Thats not to say I'm going to ignore Irish people full stop, I just want to meet people from different backgrounds.

For me it's a new start and so far a better life.

colin29

I came to Canada because my wife wanted to come home, I don't miss much about Ireland except for family and friends and having a proper pub to enjoy a pint. Also I do buy Barrys tea as I find the tea here too weak, my wife who was born and raised here feels the same having lived in both Ireland and England where tea is superior.
I do find it funny when all the people who come here on the U35 visa and seem to only hang out with other Irish in the various Irish bars, spending all that money to come here to end up doing exactly what you did at home.

ColeTrain

dirtyghettokid wrote: »

i am noticing a trend here and i would just like to hear people's thoughts/stories.

alot of people are emigrating from ireland to the US & canada and all i see are posts like
"is there no gaa here?"
"where are the irish pubs?"
"where can i get irish butter/tea/crisps" ??

are you people moving abroad for a different lifestyle? or is it only to get away from the poor economy?

it just seems silly to emigrate and then moan that things aren't the same as they are in ireland. i would have thought that if you move away you should embrace a bit of change and try new things! no?

what are your stories? (reasons for choosing the US/canada and emigrating)

People that emigrate over night aren't suddenly going to be Canadian. Part of being Irish ( or any other nationality ) is being used to your own food, sport and mixing mainly with Irish people. That isn't going to change overnight.

If people stay in their new country for a long period then slowly they will immerse in the culture. You can hardly blame folk for wanting a pint in an Irish pub, wanting to catch a GAA match etc. That's what they have been brought up on, I'd like to think it's something I wouldn't forget either, being Irish that is.

Chet Zar

ColeTrain wrote: »

People that emigrate over night aren't suddenly going to be Canadian. Part of being Irish ( or any other nationality ) is being used to your own food, sport and mixing mainly with Irish people. That isn't going to change overnight.

If people stay in their new country for a long period then slowly they will immerse in the culture. You can hardly blame folk for wanting a pint in an Irish pub, wanting to catch a GAA match etc. That's what they have been brought up on, I'd like to think it's something I wouldn't forget either, being Irish that is.

Ha I had to cut my post short earlier as was running out the door. Obviously it's not just about food. But I have realised that it really can be all about the little things. ColeTrain there hit the nail on the head really. People will always seek out the familiar, what they're used to, especially if they're new to the country. You can hardly expect people to be waving Canadian flags and loving the hockey from day one. Neither should you be tied to the local Irish bar and only Irish people either. Probably a matter of balance really! I know when I lived in Spain years back I lived with two Spaniards but mixed with the Irish and it was the perfect mix.

As I said though, it's obviously about more than things like food and sports on TV. For me anyway it comes down to living life with family and friends vs not being with family and friends and I've realised I want the former. I think it would be different if I were here with a girlfriend, if I had family here, or if I knew people here already. As it stands I'd rather build a life around family and friends than not.

Plus I miss the sense of humour and the general banter and craic!

Hazys

Didnt want to stay in Ireland while i was young, going out in Cork to the same places doing the same thing over and over, i wanted to move to a bigger city (not a fan of Dublin), so job wise it was a toss up between London and Boston and I chose Boston.

I always see myself moving back at somestage but I dont think ill move back till im at least 30 (but thats certainly not set in stone either), which is a good few years off, but i may try a different city possibly NYC or London before i go home. Love NYC, pity there are so many Jets and Yankee fans there tho :P

Things i like over here: American Sports and the sports culture especially football, Go Pats!! People are a lot more open and less reserved than Irish people. A hell of a lot more things to do here and they are generally not a rip off like back home. I also like the diversity of the people i meet, every night out you meet somebody from a different state or country and it makes the people more interesting.

Things i miss from back home: the distance from friends and family and a proper Guinness...but im heading home for 3 weeks next week so i'll get my fill of both. I was hoping to go back for a week during the summer but Aer Lingus are a rip off, so i didnt bother. Watching Munster/6N games at a regular hour and not 8am or 10am...damn it i like my sleep ins at the weekend.

Chet Zar

Hazys wrote: »

Watching Munster/6N games at a regular hour and not 8am or 10am...damn it i like my sleep ins at the weekend.

I hear ya! Also I am very partial to my Monday night Premier League football!

L31mr0d

red menace wrote: »

We have yet to be in an Irish pub here in Edmonton, most of them look like a poor analogue from the outside tbh.

Try:

http://www.ceilisedmonton.com/

Only Irish pub I was in while in Edmonton (didn't go because it was Irish, it was just the local of the friend I was staying with) Found it excellent. Great atmosphere and craic. The night we where there we just sat up at the bar with a few other friends playing pub tricks on the barmen while they let us have free shots of the new cocktails they where trying out.

Chet Zar wrote: »

I think it's just something you're bound to get on any expat-type forum. You should head over to Britishexpats.com - I reckon the Brits are much worse for it. Lots of threads on links to British TV and the like! When I was leaving I was getting a box of Barry's tea put in my case but I left it out in the end as like you say - you should be looking to immerse yourself in the destination culture.

However - I actually think a lot of it is down to the fact that the food/culture in the destination country (e.g. Canada in my case) really does pale in comparison, and can be pretty poor!

Staples... yeah, I'd agree. The bread isn't the best and the HFCS in everything gives the food a different taste.

That being said, I'll gladly eat all the odd tasting bread in the world if it means I'm close enough to pick up some fresh Moose, Elk and Deer meat from my wifes cousins.

Fresh, wild Elk steak puts the best cuts of Irish beef to shame.

Chet Zar wrote: »

Plus I miss the sense of humour and the general banter and craic!

Yeah, I have found it lacking. The craic just isn't there. People can't take even a bit of playful banter or joshing. I've found I've had to bite my tongue on more than a few occasions as I don't know if the person will be offended from a bit of ribbing. In Ireland, friends are made over a good slagging match. Over here it seems to be the opposite.

I go hiking a lot with different people over here and I can spot the Irish a mile off. They are usually the ones poking fun at themselves and giving people an opportunity to slag them. Canadians seem to have a stiffer upper lip in this regard and really don't like to show others a weakness or admit a failing. If they are falling behind it's their new shoes, or the aren't feeling the best.. etc. The Irish will just say: "I'm a lazy bastard, go on without me, I'm just going to quietly have a heart attack and then I'll catch up with the lot of yas"

dirtyghettokid

colin29 wrote: »

I came to Canada because my wife wanted to come home, I don't miss much about Ireland except for family and friends and having a proper pub to enjoy a pint. Also I do buy Barrys tea as I find the tea here too weak, my wife who was born and raised here feels the same having lived in both Ireland and England where tea is superior.
I do find it funny when all the people who come here on the U35 visa and seem to only hang out with other Irish in the various Irish bars, spending all that money to come here to end up doing exactly what you did at home.

how long did your wife live in ireland for? i've lived here 12.5 years and have yet to meet other canadians! i intend to go back to canada asap, and hubby is irish so will be in your shoes! have you been in canada long? i'd love to hear what you think about it.

i will put my hands up and say that irish tea is #1. i never drank tea before i left canada, but i drink it now.

someone said something about the humour being a bit sad over in canada and i also agree with that. having been around irish humour for so long, i think it's the best sense of humour in the world. i have tried to slag my canadian friends back home and they look at me as if i've two heads so can completely understand that! but i think alot more countries than canada would have the same reaction!

Orange69

I still buy Irish peas in stop and shop

InTheTrees

I've been in the US for 20 years and I cant eat american bacon. eugh.

I've never owned an american car either.

I like baseball but american "football" is still a meaningless mystery to me.

Its more of a Quality question rather than an issue of assimilation.

dave2pvd

InTheTrees wrote: »

Its more of a Quality question rather than an issue of assimilation.

InTheTrees, seriously: FAI vs College Football?

One thing I have embraced wholeheartedly in the US is the beer. The selection and quality (pubs and liquor stores) leaves Ireland very wanting. Amazing to think that this is the land of Budweiser...

InTheTrees

dave2pvd wrote: »

InTheTrees, seriously: FAI vs College Football?

One thing I have embraced wholeheartedly in the US is the beer. The selection and quality (pubs and liquor stores) leaves Ireland very wanting. Amazing to think that this is the land of Budweiser...

I agree. The days of bud and coors etc being representative of american beer are long gone.

cson

I know, I'm still missing Nattie Ice :pac:

Overheal

InTheTrees wrote: »

I've been in the US for 20 years and I cant eat american bacon. eugh.

I miss Rashers, it's true.

But have you tried...

Do Not.

I've never owned an american car either.

Because Toyota is the "safe" choice. I like my Jeep.

I like baseball but american "football" is still a meaningless mystery to me. Its more of a Quality question rather than an issue of assimilation.

It's just football. The only time I watch it is when I watch the Waterboy or Remember the Titans or something. Or that one with the whipped cream girl. But no, in reality football irritates me with the endless stream of commercials and how they've basically made bogus calls by the ref and attempts by the coaches to exploit the rules to keep a lead, an integral part of the 'sport'.

"where are the irish pubs?"

Ah yes. My sister turned 21 so she dragged me out to some "pub" in daytona called Tir na Nog - which everyone pronounced horribly. But you get in there and all it is is a dive bar with no Guinness on tap and the whole place is filled not with hardy drunks but dainty wee sh*ts with edgy hats wearing their teen angst on their shoulder. Which I found odd after I realized they all had to be in their 20s by now. All it was missing was the Bongo Player and the strange girl singing poetry out of key. No, if you want an Irish Pub you belong in Ireland. When in rome just drink at a bar.

Hazys

Football is Awesome...end of discussion.

InTheTrees

Overheal wrote: »

Because Toyota is the "safe" choice.

Right now I have two porsche 944's (the old cheap 80's models), and i've become a big fan. Its nice to have cars that are actually going up in value as well.

I used to commute in the bay area in a MG midget and I had a TR6 for awhile. Then I graduated to a miata for the reliability, one of only 2 Japanese cars I've owned (the other was a civic, almost as reliable as the 944).

There's american cars I'd like but I've never taken the plunge. I'd like one of those 80's huge caddy's, or an old police car. The newer corvettes are good. but I've never been into SUV's and i've never lived anywhere that I've really needed one.

InTheTrees

Overheal wrote: »

the endless stream of commercials and how they've basically made bogus calls by the ref and attempts by the coaches to exploit the rules to keep a lead, an integral part of the 'sport'.

Yup. A ninety minute game that lasts three hours.

Its really just a way of delivering advertising to tv viewers and considering the season is only 16 games with only 8 home games they need to generate some serious cash to keep the circus going.

thenobody

Hazys wrote: »

Football is Awesome...end of discussion.

Real football is of course.

Not the other where some big guys run around for a few seconds, all fall down - repeat every three minutes or a longer to wait for the tv ads to finish.

Overheal

InTheTrees wrote: »

Its nice to have cars that are actually going up in value as well.

Now ye're thinkin American.

There's american cars I'd like but I've never taken the plunge. I'd like one of those 80's huge caddy's, or an old police car. The newer corvettes are good. but I've never been into SUV's and i've never lived anywhere that I've really needed one.

Old Police cars are easy to grab if you go to Auction. And they're pretty predictable too. You start looking out for 2002 Chevy Impala's, or Dodge Chargers, depending on the precinct/State.

Actually really come to love and respect my SUV. Yes its a terrible idea as a suburban commuter vehicle but this is Charleston and flooding becomes an issue. Stupid girl was driving an BMW M3 in front of the store and stopped, only it was 3 feet of flood water. The car was a boat in seconds, she eventually climbed out the window and into the back of someone else's F-250 and made it into our parking lot.

That and the whole being able to see the traffic around you thing. Sedans and Compacts are too low.

kildarecommuter

If your looking for Irish Food check out www.foodireland.com my sister who lives in Philedelphia gets barrys teabags, taytos etc they also do Irish style sausages & rashers.
We sent her a food hamper from them for christmas

Overheal

World Market is also an easy source of junk food, if you miss Crunchie bars, Digestive Biscuits, etc. - World Market is in many shopping centres in major towns.

I have never stopped scouting for a magic source of Rashers though

Black Swan

Overheal wrote: »

I have never stopped scouting for a magic source of Rashers though

Pirates of the Carolinas: Quest for the Fountain of Rashers! :cool:

Overheal

Im not a pirate im a pioneer or a real boy, i cant see my name tag

irishdub14

I'm 17 and really want to move to the US after uni to live and work. I don't want to be working in Ireland, its way too small, the weathers miserable and I don't like the culture here tbh!

I would love to live in NY or LA, I just love the lifestyle, opportunities and standard of living over there! I cannot picture myself living/working in Ireland, but I can in the US, and I'd move regardless of the situation here!

The only thing is I have no idea of what I have to do to live/work there permanently..

coffeelover

I'm 17 and really want to move to the US after uni to live and work. I don't want to be working in Ireland, its way too small, the weathers miserable and I don't like the culture here tbh!

I would love to live in NY or LA, I just love the lifestyle, opportunities and standard of living over there! I cannot picture myself living/working in Ireland, but I can in the US, and I'd move regardless of the situation here!

The only thing is I have no idea of what I have to do to live/work there permanently..

Exact same here.. Don't think I hate this place as much as you do but I definatly want to leave. But I think I'd always come back :pac:

thenobody

Honestly just forget about it. You won't get a visa and won't be able to get a US job that will spend the thousands of dollars and time getting you one and it probably wouldn't happen then cos you have no experience.
America is near impossible to move to especially so inexperienced.
That's just the simple truth of it.
Better looking elsewhere and concentrating on that.

Or even try staying in Ireland awhile and contributing something back for the free education and free health care you are getting on everyone elses taxes before you go slagging it off so much and acting so spoiled.
But I guess that's part of the problem with the Irish nowadays. Gonna be a big change for them. Maybe we'll see some Irish working in Eddie rockets once again

lil_lisa

irishdub14 wrote: »

I don't like the culture here tbh!

IMO, the US, as diverse as it is, has very little culture compared to Ireland as a whole country. People have culture in them, between them and in certain areas, but they are usually brought from other countries and can be somewhat "Americanised".

thenobody wrote: »

Honestly just forget about it. You won't get a visa and won't be able to get a US job that will spend the thousands of dollars and time getting you one

I wouldn't say this, especially considering irishdub is only 17 and should be able to get a visa after college as a graduate. And also the fact that its several years from now, who knows what way the economy will be like then, what visas will be available and what work sector irishdub or coffeelover will in could mean that there will be visas plentiful for them.

If its something you really want, I would recommend working very very hard for it but never shoot it down as a possibility.

coffeelover

Thanks lil_lisa

You won't get a visa and won't be able to get a US job that will spend th thousands of dollars and time getting you one and it probably wouldn't happen then cos you have no experience.

Well I was born in America so I think u'll find I'll have no problem with a visa.

irishdub14

coffeelover wrote: »

Well I was born in America so I think u'll find I'll have no problem with a visa.

I'm so jealous!!

coffeelover

I'm so jealous!!

Awh you can come with me
Seriously though like lil_lisa said if it's something you really want work hard for it and one day we will be living the dream in NY or LA

NoseyMike2010

Do you need to have the newer digital passport to enter the US? I still have the older type passport.

thenobody

Yes, you need a machine readable one.
If it's after October 2006 it needs to be machine readable and have biometric chip - which should be the case for all passports issued after then anyway
Search the internet

lonestargirl

thenobody wrote: »

Yes, you need a machine readable one.
If it's after October 2006 it needs to be machine readable and have biometric chip - which should be the case for all passports issued after then anyway
Search the internet

I agree, it just needs to be machine readable unless it was issued after Oct 2006. Link to US embassy info on passports.

NoseyMike2010

Mine was issued in 2002!

Killer Wench

lil_lisa wrote: »

IMO, the US, as diverse as it is, has very little culture compared to Ireland as a whole country. People have culture in them, between them and in certain areas, but they are usually brought from other countries and can be somewhat "Americanised".

I disagree with your assessment. While living in Ireland, I have heard Jay-Z playing loudly from cars, I listened to Alicia Keys while shopping, and people generally rave about hot wings, fajitas, and chili.

I think the American culture is a blending of many European cultures, but it is also heavily shaped by Indigenous and Black American cultural experiences.

I think when people leave behind their country of origin, they frequently compare their new home to their previous home and find much to be lacking in their new home. I get a kick out of walking into a theater and seeing American made movies (or even turning to Channel 4, the Irish language channel, right?) or hearing American artists on the radio. The Irish culture that was sent abroad was pretty much your Riverdance, Clannad, and Enya stuff; I heard recently that much of what is branded as being "traditional" was something that came about in the 1950s as a way to make Irish identity unique and separate from British identity once and for all.

I admit that when I first arrived, I had stereotypical images of what I would experience; then I realized that my view of Irish culture was a result of commercialization.

lil_lisa

I'm not saying America has no culture at all. In fact, in the last few decades the culture has been growing immensely. It's just a different type of culture compared to countries which have been building theres for thousands of years. A lot of stereotypical views on countries is usually a result of the Americanised view and media. That's one thing that really annoys me.

Killer Wench

Hmm... I think that you are looking at this through a very Eurocentric filter.

Nolanger

thenobody wrote: »

Maybe we'll see some Irish working in Eddie rockets once again

Was in there this morning and an Irish guy served me!

lil_lisa

Killer Wench wrote: »

Hmm... I think that you are looking at this through a very Eurocentric filter.

Yes, I am. I've lived in Europe for 22 years of my life and the US for only 2. These two years have been spent working and settling. There is a lot more to this country than I know or can give an opinion on and I'm excited to explore when the time and money becomes available to me.

For now though, most people here are talking about moving to big US cities for the first time and leaving Ireland. I am trying to answer their questions and straighten their views for when they make the leap. When they arrive they will see everything else for themselves. They will make their own discoveries about US culture and traditions.

Killer Wench

SD is San Diego?

I am sure that many of those emigrating to the US will find your comments helpful; having someone who has completed the process in recent years will give valuable insight on the present difficulties one could encounter. My point is that you have been in the US for a relatively short time and your perceptions of culture have obviously been shaped by being reared in Ireland and Europe; I think you will have to explore more of the US and see more of the small towns and lesser known states before you can write off the entire country as having a recently developed or no unique culture.

I'm 30; my parents are in their late 50s/early 60s and my grandmother is in her late 90s. To imply that they have only experienced "culture" for the last few decades is to dismiss the values and dreams built by minorities over the last several centuries.

American culture is defined by a different work ethic than Ireland; how do you think that happened? Or that our versions of English are so different? Or, our foods or our music and even our fashion? This wasn't a short evolution but something that has evolved for centuries.

thenobody

This is getting boring ....

But the older you get the more you realize nearly all stereotypes are true!!
Fact.
Now for the nit picking....