Moving back & acceptance

LegacyUser

So here's the back-story; I was born in <IRISH TOWN> and lived there until I was nearly 8, when the family decided to move to the states. I used to come back and visit my aunts/uncles/cousins every summer but that stopped when I was 14 because of money issues. I'm 22 now, last spring was the last time I visited, and I'll be moving back next year for postgraduate (studying art/drawing/painting).

What I'm getting at here is an identity crisis. When I'm in America, I'm told I'm Irish, and when I'm in Ireland, I'm told I'm American. I still have the accent but it's gotten odd over the years / slightly Americanized I suppose, which gets me odd looks all the time when "home" (<IRISH TOWN>) and a few people have asked "are you putting on an accent?" It's just the way I talk =[ fierce annoying but what am I going to do anyway?

I'm worried about what people are going to think of me. It's strange going back to what I strongly consider to be "home" and being seen as a foreigner (especially since my parents made our home into a little-Ireland and we've kept traditions/foods/etc around, gaeilge and the like). I'm worried about the accent, though some people like it many people think it's put on, generally worried about not being accepted and being judged (and utterly terrified of being a "plastic paddy"! Love the place and culture and all, but Jesus!). I'm so conscious of the hate that some of Americans get (was in a pub in Clare once where there were a few American students, generally minding themselves and being quiet, but they got an earful from the majority of the pub about Vietnam being their fault and things of that sort). I can only be who I am, like to think I'm an overall nice person and whatnot, but am so worried about makin friends-especially because I feel like I'm getting a late start here being 22! I feel pathetic admitting it all and as though it's almost pointless but I had to let it out somewhere!

So thoughts/feedback/reassurance/anything would be nice!

Monkey Allen

I seriously doubt you have anything to worry about. Irish people arent all like those ignorant people in the pub.

Plus, as you have lived in American for so long, you'll have plenty of stories that make you interesting in Ireland.

annapolska

If anyone asks, you can tell them that you've grown up splitting your time between America and Ireland, hence the muddled accent. In fairness, I'm sure it's a bit puzzling, but I wouldn't be surprised if it gets stronger once you're there for a while.

I've been to Ireland many times and have never had to deal with any rudeness from locals. They have always been lovely and friendly, and there are nice people all over the country who will be more than willing to chat with you over a pint. Don't worry too much- you are who you are. You'll make friends, especially once you're in a college/uni environment. Good luck (not that you'll need it)!

Zen65

Cranbrook wrote: »

So thoughts/feedback/reassurance/anything would be nice!

Op, I suspect you may be confusing the slagging that Irish people do with any real sense of venom. The Irish simply love taking the p1ss, but it's all in good fun.


Be at peace,

Z

Cheap Thrills!

Hey OP, half the young people here speak with pseudo American accents these days so don't worry too much!!!;)

People can be nasty anywhere! You shouldn't be dreading coming home.

You are Irish if you were born here and lived here until you were 8.

If anyone is stupid enough to ask someone who has lived in America for 14 years if they are 'putting on an accent' then set them straight. It's not possible to live somewhere that long and not pick up the accent.

Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself. Zen is right as well about the slagging here. It is sometimes misunderstood. In certain contexts robust 'slaggings' are given and meant as a form of affection. In other words the person giving the slagging wouldn't mean it seriously at all.

Anyway best of luck!

nyarlothothep

About the americans getting an earful about 'nam, thats just plain ignorance, sure an intellectual debate about american foreign policy if initiated by an american is ok but that was just immature stupidity. However this is also often called "banter" or "slagging". You'll certainly get more small minded attitudes in small parochial towns although thats not a criticism of Ireland, thats endemic everywhere. However you have dual citizenship and that is certainly something which is enviously cool, so I'd just ignore the ignoramus's and not be self conscious about your accent, you'll get the odd sh1thead who will put you down because of their own insecurity but don't get sucked into it. Don't allow them to dictate how you speak, this is something that happens in Ireland, putting people down if they're in anyway different so just phase out them out as they're inconsequential non entities.