What are some things an American should know about the Irish Culture?

WickedWest

I'm an American woman from the heartland of the United States, and I've been thinking about getting involved in the study abroad program at the university and studying in Cork, Ireland. However, I don't want to feel like a fish out of water if/when I go, so if you could give me a few tips or facts about the culture that would be awesome!

i.e.
What are some examples of slang?
How do you spend free time?
Is it hard to learn how to drive on the opposite side of the road?
What are some things I should/shouldn't do when trying to make friends?
How do Irish men express attraction?
What are classes like?
Add anything else you think will be helpful!

Mint Sauce

Firstly Ireland is not in the United Kingdom.

WickedWest

Oh wow, I feel like an Idiot! I didn't mean to post this in the UK. I'm not exactly making a good first impression, am I...?

Jack B. Badd

WickedWest, what forum were you intending to post this in? I'll move it for you

WickedWest

Jack B. Badd wrote: »

WickedWest, what forum were you intending to post this in? I'll move it for you

After Hours, I suppose - I don't know how it ended up here. Thanks!

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

dear god, not after hours

Jack B. Badd

WickedWest wrote: »

After Hours, I suppose - I don't know how it ended up here. Thanks!

Done

/runs away...

cml387

Penny from Big Bang Theory is from Nebraska.

Do you like Penny, OP?

Redzer7

Gingers are not real people, hit them whenever possible.

micropig

We like cake but don't bake a jumper in to it:mad:

krudler

WickedWest wrote: »

I'm an American woman from the heartland of the United States, and I've been thinking about getting involved in the study abroad program at the university and studying in Cork, Ireland. However, I don't want to feel like a fish out of water if/when I go, so if you could give me a few tips or facts about the culture that would be awesome!

i.e.
What are some examples of slang?
How do you spend free time?
Is it hard to learn how to drive on the opposite side of the road?
What are some things I should/shouldn't do when trying to make friends?
How do Irish men express attraction?
What are classes like?
Add anything else you think will be helpful!

slang: "howya boss"= "good day my good sir"

free time is spent hurling, fighting, drinking, bailing hay, 'atin ham, drinkin' tae and batin' the wife.

Horses are adept at driving on both sides of the road.

When making friends:
do= slag them off and call people gobsh1tes at every turn.
don't= express feelings, even if your entire family is killed, you're "grand"

Irish men express attraction by gathing in nightclubs wearing terrible clothes, peering at women in the dark until sufficent alchohol is consumed to talk to a woman in the hopes of buying her a taco chip and mauling the box off her outside Supermacs.

Classes from bottom to top go= tracksuit wearing, student, public sector worker, private sector worker, D4 homeowner, Fianna Fail former politician, English landlord.

Tips: cows are benign, majestic beasts.
cups of tea are to be accepted no matter what the situation.
as are ham sandwiches.
Don't go to Mayo.
If you vomit from drinking, drink more, then you'll be seen as great craic.
Craic is not the same as American crack, thats different.


Welcome to Ireland!

cml387

How do Irish men express attraction?

By drinking 7 and a half pints and asking "how're fixed?"

Redzer7

cml387 wrote: »

How do Irish men express attraction?

By drinking 7 and a half pints and asking "how're fixed?"

Think that's just culchies

cml387

Actually and seriously,if you offer a cup of tea to an Irish person,do not under any circumstances accept the first refusal.You need to ask about four times and then they'll say "ok I will so"

micropig

Redzer7 wrote: »

Think that's just culchies

Works though;):D

JONJO THE MISER

What are some examples of slang? Ya c u n t.
How do you spend free time? In the Pub.
Is it hard to learn how to drive on the opposite side of the road? No
What are some things I should/shouldn't do when trying to make friends? Dont say you a republican.
How do Irish men express attraction? Get Drunk then go for the shift.
What are classes like? Same as everywhere.

wilkie2006

Just go to Dublin... basically all you need to know:

Sunnyisland

Rule number 1

Don't post serious questions on After hours

FinnLizzy

If you intend to travel around the country while you're here, you should get in contact with the Travelling Community. They're a great bunch of lads, and they really bring colour and sophistication where ever they go.

cml387

JONJO THE MISER wrote: »

Dont say you a republican.

She might be a Democrat.

Where To

Are you also planning on visiting Ireland OP or are you just going to cork?

mike65

This thread is going to end up on the front page of the Huffington Post isn't it? (or the onion)

cml387

mike65 wrote: »

This thread is going to end up on the front page of the Huffington Post isn't it? (or the onion)

You wish.

Tonyandthewhale

JONJO THE MISER wrote: »

Dont say you're a republican.

Don't say you're a republican either.

micropig

FinnLizzy wrote: »

If you intend to travel around the country while you're here, you should get in contact with the Travelling Community. They're a great bunch of lads, and they really bring colour and sophistication where ever they go.

The real Irish culture, don't pass this opportunity if offered,

Stories, song and dance by the camp fire under the stars, bareback pony riding over the commons, it's a real awesome experience


and just two kisses for greeting hello, one on each cheek..some countries in Europe do three kisses

deise go deo

WickedWest wrote: »

I'm an American woman from the heartland of the United States, and I've been thinking about getting involved in the study abroad program at the university and studying in Cork, Ireland. However, I don't want to feel like a fish out of water if/when I go, so if you could give me a few tips or facts about the culture that would be awesome!

-What are some examples of slang?

Yore Ma
Blast it with piss
giz a go a ur gee
hangsangedgh/hangsangers
Mazeballs
Culchie
(these are vital)


-How do you spend free time?

Drinking /

-Is it hard to learn how to drive on the opposite side of the road?

No, you will realise that driving on the left is natural and how wrong you have been all your life


-What are some things I should/shouldn't do when trying to make friends?

Never talk about Leprechauns!, This is the biggest mistake all Americans make, the reason Irish people seem uncomfortable and a little annoyed when the subject is brought up is because the Lebrechauns were actually a race of dwarf like people who were wiped out by our ancestors in a bloody and ruthless war, talking about them makes Irish people feel guilty.


-How do Irish men express attraction?

Leering with ocasional drooling.

-What are classes like?

It depends on how drunk you are.

Add anything else you think will be helpful!

You might see some strange gibberish beside English on road signs, some people might try to tell you that this is the Irish language don't believe them!!, it is actually a conspiracy drempt up in the 18 centuary by some luanatic nationalists to isolate Ireland from the rest of the world by confusing and enraging tourists.

4zn76tysfajdxp

WickedWest wrote: »

What are some examples of slang?

If you're going to Cork, bai (boy) and langer (langer) are all you need to know.

How do you spend free time?

Drinking.

Is it hard to learn how to drive on the opposite side of the road?

No it's really easy. The hard part is not driving into oncoming traffic.

What are some things I should/shouldn't do when trying to make friends?

Don't take anything anyone says seriously.

How do Irish men express attraction?

By getting absolutely pissed (that means drunk there) and making the clumsiest of clumsy attempts at scoring a girl. Often by making jokes at their expense.

What are classes like?

Over-crowded in prefabricated classrooms.

Add anything else you think will be helpful!

Develop a thick skin and prepare to get the piss taken out of you (that's like your American "busting balls") all the time and you'll be fine.

longshanks

Ireland is a great place, you'll love it here after a while op. Stick with it for a while and when you get used to the people, and maybe the weather, you won't want to leave.
Also, are you wealthy, and slim with big tits?

Fluorescence

One thing that's worthwhile knowing is that if we like you, we'll slag you off a lot. And expect the same in return. If we don't like you we're just polite and make small talk. Dread the small talk!

Overheal

krudler wrote: »

slang: "howya boss"= "good day my good sir"

free time is spent hurling, fighting, drinking, bailing hay, 'atin ham, drinkin' tae and batin' the wife.

Horses are adept at driving on both sides of the road.

When making friends:
do= slag them off and call people gobsh1tes at every turn.
don't= express feelings, even if your entire family is killed, you're "grand"

Irish men express attraction by gathing in nightclubs wearing terrible clothes, peering at women in the dark until sufficent alchohol is consumed to talk to a woman in the hopes of buying her a taco chip and mauling the box off her outside Supermacs.

Classes from bottom to top go= tracksuit wearing, student, public sector worker, private sector worker, D4 homeowner, Fianna Fail former politician, English landlord.

Tips: cows are benign, majestic beasts.
cups of tea are to be accepted no matter what the situation.
as are ham sandwiches.
Don't go to Mayo.
If you vomit from drinking, drink more, then you'll be seen as great craic.
Craic is not the same as American crack, thats different.


Welcome to Ireland!

... Yeah, basically.

Crann na Beatha

This post has been deleted.

Fluorescence

Aquila wrote: »

While you are here come to Portlaoise,you wont want to ever leave:pac:

Only because she'll have lost the will to go on :pac:

Hazys

If you want a serious thread:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=319492

If you want a not so serious thread:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056615361


What are some examples of slang?

Cork Slang...
Langer = Penis and/or Fool
Langers = Sh1tfaced drunk
Lobing the gob = Attempt to make out with somebody
Getting the Ride = Sex
Pana = Patrick's St, main street in Cork
Every second sentence is finished with 'boy' or 'like', it adds no meaning to the sentence, it just is

General slang...
If you are reading a text msg, d = the
The Horrors = Hangover
The Fear = Waking up hungover with the fear that you did something regratable the night b4

How do you spend free time?
Drinking and we are not joking about that.

Is it hard to learn how to drive on the opposite side of the road?
No but nearly all cars are manual and a lot smaller than what you'll ye drive in the US. Also roads are tiny in comparison to the US.

What are some things I should/shouldn't do when trying to make friends?
Get langers.

How do Irish men express attraction?
By getting sh1tfaced and approaching you on the dance floor at exactly 1:50am by grinding their ass off you

What are classes like?
Do absolutely no work all year then get a month off before the summer exams to do study.

nicechick!

Well don't call us ''terrorists'' I went to the states last year having dinner the mother of the bride (I was at a wedding) stood up and said when I first met so & so her words were

''I thought all you Irish were terrorists''

WickedWest

JONJO THE MISER wrote: »

Dont say you a republican.

Republican? What's a republican?

the keen edge

krudler wrote: »

slang: "howya boss"= "good day my good sir"

free time is spent hurling, fighting, drinking, bailing hay, 'atin ham, drinkin' tae and batin' the wife.

Horses are adept at driving on both sides of the road.

When making friends:
do= slag them off and call people gobsh1tes at every turn.
don't= express feelings, even if your entire family is killed, you're "grand"

Irish men express attraction by gathing in nightclubs wearing terrible clothes, peering at women in the dark until sufficent alchohol is consumed to talk to a woman in the hopes of buying her a taco chip and mauling the box off her outside Supermacs.

Classes from bottom to top go= tracksuit wearing, student, public sector worker, private sector worker, D4 homeowner, Fianna Fail former politician, English landlord.

Tips: cows are benign, majestic beasts.
cups of tea are to be accepted no matter what the situation.
as are ham sandwiches.
Don't go to Mayo.
If you vomit from drinking, drink more, then you'll be seen as great craic.
Craic is not the same as American crack, thats different.


Welcome to Ireland!

Your idea of Ireland seems to be contrived from just about every bad TV programme ever made in; or on the subject of Ireland.

Either that or you're living in an awful hatefilled sh*thole.

4zn76tysfajdxp

WickedWest wrote: »

Republican? What's a republican?

We're all Republicans here, missy. :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:


Seriously though. American Republicans and Irish Republicans are very different. If you don't know what already.

Napper Hawkins

You will need to know fluent Irish in order to understand us. Get studying.

jeff pepsi

i will, yeah = no, i won't

WickedWest

If you guys could post the meaning along with the examples of slang, that would be awesome - because I'm having a bit of a hard time understanding you...

Other than that, yeah I plan on seeing as much of Ireland as I can! I've wanted to visit for the longest time.

Umm, one more question - is it a bad thing that I don't drink? Will it be harder to fit in?

summerskin

WickedWest wrote: »

If you guys could post the meaning along with the examples of slang, that would be awesome - because I'm having a bit of a hard time understanding you...

Other than that, yeah I plan on seeing as much of Ireland as I can! I've wanted to visit for the longest time.

Umm, one more question - is it a bad thing that I don't drink? Will it be harder to fit in?

It might be harder but I'll try anyway.

WickedWest

Napper Hawkins wrote: »

You will need to know fluent Irish in order to understand us. Get studying.

Are you talking about Gaelic or just the vast amount of slang? I'm not sure I could learn an entire language in such a short amount of time

WickedWest

donegal_road wrote: »

it is customary in Ireland to introduce yourself to the Gardai (police) when you meet them on the street with the greeting 'hows your ma?..'

You can't be serious! I feel like you're just trying to get me in trouble :cool:

Agus

WickedWest wrote: »

Are you talking about Gaelic or just the vast amount of slang? I'm not sure I could learn an entire language in such a short amount of time

Yes he's talking about Gaelic, which is usually called Irish in Ireland.

WickedWest wrote: »

You can't be serious! I feel like you're just trying to get me in trouble :cool:

After Hours isn't really the forum for serious answers in case you hadn't worked that out yet.

ICANN

Don't take Irish people literally, we take the piss a lot.

Don't look into things that Irish people say or do too much either for the same reason.

WickedWest

Lily Handsome Windshield wrote: »

We're all Republicans here, missy. :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:


Seriously though. American Republicans and Irish Republicans are very different. If you don't know what already.

The problem is that I AM a republican - I'm just using their advice and pretending I'm not. Shhhh.

grindle

WickedWest wrote: »

Attachment not found.

...Helllllllllooo...

WickedWest

Agus wrote: »

Yes he's talking about Gaelic, which is usually called Irish in Ireland.

So if I don't know Irish, then I should look into studying abroad somewhere else? You're breaking my heart!

After Hours isn't really the forum for serious answers in case you hadn't worked that out yet.

Yeah, I think I learned that the hard way... :P

Mr Benevolent

I really hope you're not religious and that you understand evolution. If you are religious we'll have to organise a paddling contest. Oh by the way, you have some attractive curves. Unless you're the hairy guy on the left.

Oh yeah, and get used to saying "Sorry!" a lot. Especially when you don't mean it.

Jimoslimos

WickedWest wrote: »

Is it hard to learn how to drive on the opposite side of the road?

Not at all, just remember to point the car in the opposite direction and you'll be grand*

*Grand means fine, ok, etc., not regal.

micropig

WickedWest wrote: »

You can't be serious! I feel like you're just trying to get me in trouble :cool:

They love it...it's an 'in' joke! They'll let you wear their hat for a photo with them

&

They can't arrest you if they don't have their hat on

Don't be alarmed by people doing going about their business in their pyjamas, it's just the fashion