Rude People in Dublin

Mr_Solas

Hi all,

Anyone notice how rude people have gotten in Dublin. I must say I've encountered some unbelievable rudeness in this city especially from shop staff. I would like to know how others feel, Is the recession causing us to loose our once valued warm hospitable nature?

chin_grin

Mr_Solas wrote: »

Hi all,

Anyone notice how rude people have gotten in Dublin. I must say I've encountered some unbelievable rudeness in this city especially from shop staff. I would like to know how others feel, Is the recession causing us to loose our once valued warm hospitable nature?

Maybe it's as a result of people tightening their belts.

I'd say you're talking to the wrong people. Or are you going around all the shops testing their mood by being as antagonistic as possible?

If you lighten up, maybe they will.

Mr_Solas

Antagonistic: Absolutely not. I detest bad manners and expect to receive a freindly welcome from those in the services sector. I find that there is a growing number unable to reciprocate a smile or a bright hello. I find it a growing trend in this city and makes me mad to be quite honest. Such rudeness cannot be defended.

Slydice

I haven't noticed it actually. I'd have thought shop owners, managers and staff would be more appreciative of customers seeing as how we are in such difficult economic times.

Vote with your feet and move on to another shop if you get grief. There's bound to be one which will be happy to have your custom.

chin_grin

Mr_Solas wrote: »

Antagonistic: Absolutely not. I detest bad manners and expect to receive a freindly welcome from those in the services sector. I find that there is a growing number unable to reciprocate a smile or a bright hello. I find it a growing trend in this city and makes me mad to be quite honest. Such rudeness cannot be defended.

Ok Mr Happy, here's what you fail to realise.

People (especially those in the service industry) are allowed to have a bad day. This is where you need to realise that it's not that they dislike you. They're trying to bottle in all the sh!t they've received up until you approaching them. If you expect to be smiled at all day move to Canada. (or <insert other stereotype here>).

hmmm

I've found the reverse. People aren't running around grabbing everything in sight, so there's more time to talk to the shop staff without them hassling you to buy something.

dsmythy

Find the opposite too. People seem to be warmer.

Lapin

I'm from the west of Ireland myself but I'm a frequent visitor to Dublin for various reasons.

In the vast majority of cases, I find Dubliners to be anything but rude.

In fact, most of them will go out of their way to be helpful in my experience.

Some of the shop staff where I come from could learn a thing or two from their counterparts in Dublin. (Although there is fat chance of that happening as many of them never have, and never will set foot outside their own small town universe).

John_Rambo

dsmythy wrote: »

Find the opposite too. People seem to be warmer.

Same here, 99.9% of the time my good manners and politeness is returned in kind, my rural relatives are always commenting on the excellent service and manners of the city service industry workers, people in general in the city, particularly when driving. I'd say chin-grin is on to something, maybe it's your attitude that needs to be looked at Mr_Solas, or you have just logged on as a new user name to troll.

Warper

No different to anywhere else. Every place has the typical pissed off person on the tills. You know the type, never say thanks and shrugs when they have to get something for you. They are everywhere but just act the same way to them and move on.

Warper

John_Rambo wrote: »

Same here, 99.9% of the time my good manners and politeness is returned in kind, my rural relatives are always commenting on the excellent service and manners of the city service industry workers, people in general in the city, particularly when driving. I'd say chin-grin is on to something, maybe it's your attitude that needs to be looked at Mr_Solas, or you have just logged on as a new user name to troll.

????

chin_grin

Warper wrote: »

????

We're courteous drivers perhaps? I don't see it though. :pac:

I blame the caffeine. Everyones' highly strung.

John_Rambo

Warper wrote: »

????

I know, but after driving in Galway I am inclined to agree with them. Serious attitude, blocking entrances, not merging, nobody will flash anyone out in to traffic etc... I could sort of see where they are coming from. My late forties Galway relative can't believe people in Dublin let him change lane when he puts his indicator on!!

easygoing39

I think the OP is about 5 yrs too late noticing rude people in Dublin!During the Celtic Tiger yrs I noticed it,mainly from foreign store staff,who only wanted youre money for their commission.Now in 2012 I find alot more Irish shopstaff,who are friendly,talkative and you can have a bit of a banter/haggling to get a bargin with.You'd never have the craic and haggle with foreign shop staff over the past few years.

John_Rambo

easygoing39 wrote: »

You'd never have the craic and haggle with foreign shop staff over the past few years.

I did. And still do.

Dirk Gently

Mr_Solas wrote: »

Is the recession causing us to loose our once valued warm hospitable nature?

Like others have said, I've found the opposite to be true. One of the positive things about the recession is there are less arrogant tossers about the place. I find people show more solidarity these days and experiences in shops are more friendly, no doubt a neccessity to retain custom. I dont miss the celtic tiger era attitudes.

Fuinseog

Mr_Solas wrote: »

Hi all,

Anyone notice how rude people have gotten in Dublin. I must say I've encountered some unbelievable rudeness in this city especially from shop staff. I would like to know how others feel, Is the recession causing us to loose our once valued warm hospitable nature?

why not tell them there and then that you believe they are being rude and walk out?

Fuinseog

John_Rambo wrote: »

I know, but after driving in Galway I am inclined to agree with them. Serious attitude, blocking entrances, not merging, nobody will flash anyone out in to traffic etc... I could sort of see where they are coming from. My late forties Galway relative can't believe people in Dublin let him change lane when he puts his indicator on!!

I have driven in both cities and never experienced any problems. Galway county is something else. narrow roads and people driving as if in a rally.

apparently Dubliners will be more forgiving when they see a reg that is from outside of Dublin.

Fuinseog

Dirk Gently wrote: »

Like others have said, I've found the opposite to be true. One of the positive things about the recession is there are less arrogant tossers about the place. I find people show more solidarity these days and experiences in shops are more friendly, no doubt a neccessity to retain custom. I dont miss the celtic tiger era attitudes.

shoppers from the republic are considered quite rude and aggressive in norn iron. apparently at christmas time you have people fighting each other for products.

HellFireClub

Mr_Solas wrote: »

Hi all,

Anyone notice how rude people have gotten in Dublin. I must say I've encountered some unbelievable rudeness in this city especially from shop staff. I would like to know how others feel, Is the recession causing us to loose our once valued warm hospitable nature?

I recently moved out of Dublin and this was one of the very things that inspired me to move. Dublin is like a tinderbox lately I think, everyone seems to be at the end of their fuse, it's actually like being back in the Celtic Tiger when people would nearly drive over you if you were in their way or if you delayed them for a second.

There is a crankiness in the air I noticed, everyone is utterly p*ssed off and it's all simmering there just below the surface.

I've moved to the west of Ireland now and I haven't regretted moving for a second, people take the time to say hello to you and there is a completely different pace of life over this side of the country, there is a warmth and friendly air about the place and people are genuinely warmer and more considerate.

Fuinseog

HellFireClub wrote: »

I recently moved out of Dublin and this was one of the very things that inspired me to move. Dublin is like a tinderbox lately I think, everyone seems to be at the end of their fuse, it's actually like being back in the Celtic Tiger when people would nearly drive over you if you were in their way or if you delayed them for a second.

There is a crankiness in the air I noticed, everyone is utterly p*ssed off and it's all simmering there just below the surface.

I've moved to the west of Ireland now and I haven't regretted moving for a second, people take the time to say hello to you and there is a completely different pace of life over this side of the country, there is a warmth and friendly air about the place and people are genuinely warmer and more considerate.

capital city equals rudeness. Country living relaxed friendly pace of life. is this not everywhere?
people are more nosey down the country and want to know your business evn when it does not concern them.
irish people in the service industry lack the faux friendliness maximum politeness of shops in the states.

I am pie

easygoing39 wrote: »

I think the OP is about 5 yrs too late noticing rude people in Dublin!During the Celtic Tiger yrs I noticed it,mainly from foreign store staff,who only wanted youre money for their commission.Now in 2012 I find alot more Irish shopstaff,who are friendly,talkative and you can have a bit of a banter/haggling to get a bargin with.You'd never have the craic and haggle with foreign shop staff over the past few years.

Nonsense.

I would say i've had the opposite experience. All foreigners just want your money / their commission while us salt of the earth irish only work for the craic, for an aul chat.

Seriously, cop on.

HellFireClub

Fuinseog wrote: »

capital city equals rudeness. Country living relaxed friendly pace of life. is this not everywhere?
people are more nosey down the country and want to know your business evn when it does not concern them.
irish people in the service industry lack the faux friendliness maximum politeness of shops in the states.

I've been in other capital cities where there was nowhere near the level of rudeness that I've seen in Dublin. It seems to me that there are a lot of people in Dublin who are wearing their personal or financial difficulties on their sleeves these days. Also on the roads I've noticed it, you indicate to try to change lane on the M50 and some pr*ck in a BMW that he can't afford, driving in the lane you are trying to get into, with an attitude problem, immediately speeds up to prevent you doing so.

P. Breathnach

Fuinseog wrote: »

capital city equals rudeness. Country living relaxed friendly pace of life. is this not everywhere?...

I don't quite agree. Yes, in larger cities, people tend to be brusque and businesslike, often because they are quite busy. I don't consider that rudeness. To me, rudeness involves something akin to being actively unpleasant. I don't experience that in Dublin.

Il Trap

Fuinseog wrote: »

capital city equals rudeness. Country living relaxed friendly pace of life. is this not everywhere?
people are more nosey down the country and want to know your business evn when it does not concern them.
irish people in the service industry lack the faux friendliness maximum politeness of shops in the states.

This is one of the main appeals of living in Dublin vs a small town. Nobody gives a sh*t about your business. I love the anonimity of city life.

Oh, and if you want to experience super-enthusiastic faux friendliness then all you need to do is take a walk up O'Connell Street:

'HI GUYS! My name is Mags and I'm from Concern and guess what I found out today!!??'

F**k off...

Qualitymark

I agree with the original poster. Not only rudeness, but a generally unprofessional attitude.

It's incredible when you come home from, say, Japan, where the bus drivers are King of My Bus, wearing beautifully crisp and clean uniforms and white gloves; they won't tolerate any ill-behaviour on the bus for a second, and they clean the bus after each run so it's sparkling. Their attitude is courteous, grown-up and professional.

And shop staff treat you like a beloved auntie (even if you're a boy of 17), smile, meet your eyes, wrap your goods.

You would *never, never* have the experience there of shop staff talking to each other across you as they process your sale.

I think it's a kind of immaturity in Irish people - not just Dubliners, either. Lack of professionalism, lack of grown-upness.

Not all the time, of course - lots of shop staff are lovely. But there is a general air of ah sure it'll do, which includes feeling it's perfectly all right to be rude and careless with your customers.

Sam V Smith

If I - as a customer - am the one saying please, thank-you and have a nice day then something is not right. I don't care if you're having a bad day. In any job with face to face customer interaction you had better muster up your best fake smile and at leadt pretend to be grateful for their custom.

It infuriates me as there are so many people out there who would be delighted to take on their job and would be genuinely courteous, polite and respectful when dealing with customers.

Dyr

I could'nt care less if someone doesnae gives me the "yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir" treatment so long as they sell me what I need.

What I do care about is the problem customer in front of me (and its always a woman, usually the wrong side of 35) who's holding everything up by being an stroppy ould boot.

Dirk Gently

Bambi wrote: »

I could'nt care less if someone doesnae gives me the "yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir" treatment so long as they sell me what I need.

What I do care about is the problem customer in front of me (and its always a woman, usually the wrong side of 35) who's holding everything up by being an stroppy ould boot.

handbag only comes out to search for money after every item has been scanned through. It's like it's a surprise everytime the till opertor asks for payment. Then she goes walk about with her nose in the air pulling faces picking out more items before spreading change on the counter and making more faces. same on buses / bank machines, anything. takes them 5 minutes to do what a bloke can do in 10 seconds. :pac:

Qualitymark

By "the wrong side of 35" you mean those young lads who stand there with hands hanging and moth drooping open, until the till operator asks for the money, then they start pocket mining for the right change, yes?

Tombo2000

Mr_Solas wrote: »

Hi all,

Anyone notice how rude people have gotten in Dublin. I must say I've encountered some unbelievable rudeness in this city especially from shop staff.

I was walking through Dublin the other day and all these chuggers wanted to shake my hand and chat to me ......seriously, what a friendly place!


Seriously, if you are going to judge the friendliness of a place by the reactions of people who earn the minimum wage and probably hate their jobs......get real...

Here's my own observation.

I spent a year backpacking recently, travelling on my own in Asia. Every now and then I'd bump into other Irish people. The Dubs were always the friendliest. And I'm not from Dublin myself.

Cianos

HellFireClub wrote: »

I've been in other capital cities where there was nowhere near the level of rudeness that I've seen in Dublin. It seems to me that there are a lot of people in Dublin who are wearing their personal or financial difficulties on their sleeves these days. Also on the roads I've noticed it, you indicate to try to change lane on the M50 and some pr*ck in a BMW that he can't afford, driving in the lane you are trying to get into, with an attitude problem, immediately speeds up to prevent you doing so.

What extra do you have in your car that gives you stats on other driver's finances? Must get me one of those.

CiaranC

HellFireClub wrote: »

There is a crankiness in the air I noticed, everyone is utterly p*ssed off and it's all simmering there just below the surface.

Maybe thats just you

Qualitymark

CiaranC wrote: »

Maybe thats just you

Or maybe not. Maybe the poster is making a genuine observation.

FreudianSlippers

At first I thought this was going to be another thread to have a go at Dublin people, but I actually have to agree. The quality of individuals I run into on the street or even around my house has undergone a significant deterioration.

For example, just today I was driving in my estate and a guy almost crashes into me (reversing quickly around a corner) and another person comes flying around as well. The man started roaring at me, when it was clearly his fault, about "shutting my mouth" (I hadn't said anything) and "making faces at him" (:rolleyes:). He started hurling abuse at me and said he was going to punch my face off (I lol'd).

People in general on the streets have become much more rude too. People bump into you in a city - it happens - say sorry or ignore it or whatever. Don't get aggravated when it's clearly a mistake/accident, or if you're doing the bumping at least acknowledge the other person.

Nit-picking, I know... but it's my visual manifestation of the decline in manners and increase in thuggy/knackery behaviour in general

Dodge

I think its more a case of being angry for absolutely no reason at all (due a misplaced sense of entitlement) that cause some people to be arseholes

Anyone who gets angry about less than steller service in a shop needs to calm down. Complaining because someone on minimum wage isn't bright and breezy serving their 200th sandwich that day? Come on, give them a break

Most people just try and get on with their lives and are helpful and decent people

Others are arseholes. I don't think this has changed a tiny little bit throughout history

fryup

Mr_Solas wrote: »

Hi all,

Anyone notice how rude people have gotten in Dublin. I must say I've encountered some unbelievable rudeness in this city especially from shop staff. I would like to know how others feel, Is the recession causing us to loose our once valued warm hospitable nature?

warm hospitable nature:rolleyes: that was always a myth

mattjack

Mr_Solas wrote: »

Hi all,

Anyone notice how rude people have gotten in Dublin. I must say I've encountered some unbelievable rudeness in this city especially from shop staff. I would like to know how others feel, Is the recession causing us to loose our once valued warm hospitable nature?

Have you been to Paris ? we don't come close to rude compared to them.

John_Rambo

I have a feeling that Mr_Solas is someone familiar to this forum logged on under a different name to stir it up and troll.

whydoibother?

While good manners are important, and there is no excuse for saying something blatantly rude to a customer, I only appreciate "friendliness" as far as it's genuine. I'd hate to see us go down the route of walking into a shop and getting the same "have a nice day" that the last 300 customers have gotten, because the shop assistant will be graded on whether they stick to some ridiculous pre-ordained script. In one customer sevice job I had years ago, we were directed to use the customers first name three times in each two minute conversation in order to seem friendly. I can think of nothing more fake or irritating to listen to from a total stranger but I was required to do it.

Fuinseog

mattjack wrote: »

Have you been to Paris ? we don't come close to rude compared to them.

I have been to France and folks there would not think twice about walking through you. most Irish will say sorry even when they are not in the wrong. not sure if this is rudeness or cultural difference.

I noticed tracksuited youths running down O Conell street at speed and not caring who they plough through.

I think the OP is referring in particular to shop assistants who give the impression they are too good to be working there.

mattjack

Fuinseog wrote: »

I have been to France and folks there would not think twice about walking through you. most Irish will say sorry even when they are not in the wrong. not sure if this is rudeness or cultural difference.

I noticed tracksuited youths running down O Conell street at speed and not caring who they plough through.

I think the OP is referring in particular to shop assistants who give the impression they are too good to be working there.

Queens visit ?

FensterDJ

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

People in general on the streets have become much more rude too. People bump into you in a city - it happens - say sorry or ignore it or whatever. Don't get aggravated when it's clearly a mistake/accident, or if you're doing the bumping at least acknowledge the other person.

completely disagree, in Dublin, both parties would be saying sorry even before they made contact in a hushed whispered tone, my job puts me in contact with a constant stream of foreignors from all over the world, and the one thing they all notice very quickly is how apologetic and friendly people in Dublin are in that kind of accidental bump situation

FreudianSlippers

FensterDJ wrote: »

completely disagree, in Dublin, both parties would be saying sorry even before they made contact in a hushed whispered tone, my job puts me in contact with a constant stream of foreignors from all over the world, and the one thing they all notice very quickly is how apologetic and friendly people in Dublin are in that kind of accidental bump situation

I've lived in Dublin the vast majority of my life... and I can say in the past 5 years I've noticed a decline in manners in the city.

CiaranC

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

I've lived in Dublin the vast majority of my life... and I can say in the past 5 years I've noticed a decline in manners in the city.

This coincided with you getting older, I think youll find.

Ive just spent a good chunk of time in China, anyone who doesnt think Dublin/Irish people are culturally warm and friendly needs to do some travel to the likes of here.

hattoncracker

I lived and worked in retail in Dublin for six years. You would not believe the amount of abuse we get in our jobs, especially since the recession kicks off. Haggling with you over reducing prices that, as an employee for a multinational company I am totally unable to do and they know it, de-humanising staff so that they can just stand there literally screaming abuse at you for warranties and company policies that we have no control over, racism, having objects thrown at your head (literally), and trying to steal stock from right in front of you.

Personally, I have never once in six years lost the head with someone, I just bite my tongue, put it to the back of my mind and plaster on a smile for the next customer. It's not their fault that I've had an a** just before serving them, and generally they'll hear the abuse and give you a break.
A lot of retail staff aren't as quick to calm down after an altercation like that, and believe me, they're more common than you realise. We've had wages cut, we've had policies put in place that make our jobs harder, generally stores are understaffed because people that have left their jobs have not been replaced and the extra work is just put on someone else. We work long shifts, constantly on our feet, and would be lucky to get a lunch if its busy.

If you're going to comment on a retail staffs attitude, especially nowadays, just bear in mind the cr*p we have to put up with on a daily basis. I transferred to Limerick recently and sometimes I find the customers even worse!

tiredcity

I did five years of retail in Dublin and I genuinely believe every single person should be made to work in some face-to-face with the general public, lowest-rung, minimum wage service industry job for at least three months at some point in their life. I loved dealing with the public and always tried to be genuinely friendly and nice but you've no idea the amount of people who will push you to the limit of manners or treat you like you're an idiot robot there to cater to their every whim at the expense of all the other customers. I know it's annoying when people are a bit grumpy but unless they make a habit of it, please don't take it personally because it more than likely is just a bad moment rather than a state of mind! You're right to expect good service but you've no idea how far a simple bit of mutual courtesy and patience will go when things are very busy or under-staffed.

conor1989

Completely agree, I love the city but Dubliners(not everyone) ruin it. They act so rude, proud and unfriendly. I find the foreigners here much more educated and civilised. Coming from an Irish man.

I will leave Dublin soon, I would love to come back if it weren't for the people. They really ruin basic things like shopping, going for a stroll etc.

s15r330

Holy thread resurrection Batman!!

Birneybau

s15r330 wrote: »

Holy thread resurrection Batman!!

Don't be so rude. But yeah, 5 year old dormant thread...jeez.

wordofwarning

conor1989 wrote: »

Completely agree, I love the city but Dubliners(not everyone) ruin it. They act so rude, proud and unfriendly. I find the foreigners here much more educated and civilised. Coming from an Irish man.

I will leave Dublin soon, I would love to come back if it weren't for the people. They really ruin basic things like shopping, going for a stroll etc.

Dubliners are too proud for your liking? Dubliners are extremely honest about the issues and problems of city. I have been to some holes in the West of Ireland/Midlands and the residents were acting like they were from Chelsea.

I do think Dubliners are blunt and honest, that can come across as rude. Dubliners will be honest with you about issues they are having with you etc. I prefer that to the false smiling and niceness from country people, who will only talk **** behind your back and never to your face. I find country people are only nice, as they are afraid you might know them or their family, not because they are nicer than Dubliners.

Those horrible and rude Dubliners have allowed hundreds of thousands of people to have a free and liberal lifestyle. Tens of thousands of gay people have moved to 'rude Dublin' because their 'nice and friendly' country town was not torrelant for them to live there. Single mothers in Dublin, were able to live in Dublin more freely than people living in small towns / glorified villages outside of Dublin.