Do you feel a difference between North and South?

mike65

will.i.am wrote: »

We don't have Sainsburys down here!:mad:

Mr_Spaceman wrote: »

Ahh, but there's no Superquinn in Norn Iron!

I know who's getting the worse side of this lack of shops.

No amber for the go sequence is to deal with "amber gamblers"

Crooked Jack

Some people seem to be using this thread as a thin veil for spouting their own political views. The fact is there is no difference in the people between north and south, at least not one that you wouldnt find between east and west, carlow and cork, dublin and donegal.
True, there are a few superficial things like signs etc but sure what the hell does that matter.
Someone in belfast for example, coming from a city, is going to have a lot more in common with someone from Dublin than I will. Whereas I will have a lot more in common with someone from Louth or Monaghan than I will from Derry.
These are the same little subtle differences and regional quirks that you will find across the island.
To suggest that there is some sort of fundamental change in the people and the place once you cross an imaginary line that has only existed for a fraction of a second when compared to the time Irish people have been here is utter rubbish

MadsL

For some reason I have noticed that schoolgirls across the border are *ahem* economical with the amount of material in their skirts...

...I take an interest in finely woven wool and that is why I noticed...there is no truth in the rumour that I have been taking any photographs, i just was answering me phone...officer...

Cú Giobach

Crooked Jack wrote: »

Some people seem to be using this thread as a thin veil for spouting their own political views. The fact is there is no difference in the people between north and south, at least not one that you wouldnt find between east and west, carlow and cork, dublin and donegal.
True, there are a few superficial things like signs etc but sure what the hell does that matter.
Someone in belfast for example, coming from a city, is going to have a lot more in common with someone from Dublin than I will. Whereas I will have a lot more in common with someone from Louth or Monaghan than I will from Derry.
These are the same little subtle differences and regional quirks that you will find across the island.
To suggest that there is some sort of fundamental change in the people and the place once you cross an imaginary line that has only existed for a fraction of a second when compared to the time Irish people have been here is utter rubbish

Spot on.
You can say any two things are "different" or "the same" depending on what criteria you use.
Cows and sheep are different, but compared to fish they are very similar with both being similar mammals, fish and sheep are the same compared to a rock with both being alive, and a rock and a cow are the same compared to dark matter with both being made of atoms.

The mix and variety of Irish people are what make up "The Irish People" and depending on what criteria you use to make someone different to another, we are either all the same or every single individual is different, with everything else in-between being equally valid.

The only exception to the above would be South Armagh, ye are all nuts.

celt262

Women up North are mad for wavin.

Qualitymark

Always makes me smile when Northern people use 'wee' so much: "Would you put your wee credit card in the wee machine there?"

LordSutch

Crooked Jack wrote: »

Some people seem to be using this thread as a thin veil for spouting their own political views. The fact is there is no difference in the people between north and south, at least not one that you wouldnt find between east and west, carlow and cork, dublin and donegal.
True, there are a few superficial things like signs etc but sure what the hell does that matter.
Someone in belfast for example, coming from a city, is going to have a lot more in common with someone from Dublin than I will. Whereas I will have a lot more in common with someone from Louth or Monaghan than I will from Derry.
These are the same little subtle differences and regional quirks that you will find across the island.
To suggest that there is some sort of fundamental change in the people and the place once you cross an imaginary line that has only existed for a fraction of a second when compared to the time Irish people have been here is utter rubbish

Yes I agree with most of that, but the thing is, might that argument also be used to say that little subtle differences and regional quirks would be found between the people of Northern Ireland and Scotland? Surely the UK mindset among many in NI would have them leaning towards the other regions within the UK (as well as the rest of this island). The imaginary line you speak of also exists between England & Wales, England and Scotland, and yet they are all part of one nation (the UK) as well as being seperate and individual countries/regions of their own right. For some people NI is identical to here, to others its foreign, and then there is every shade between those two points of view. My own view is that I find the North to be different, just different in a non quantifiable way. Parts of the North are very like parts of Britain, and I always get a sense that I am in a different country (not that I visit that often), then again if I was a travelling GAA supporter I would probably find no difference whatsoever up North.

So maybe its just a mindset?

Crooked Jack

Cú Giobach wrote: »

Spot on.
You can say any two things are "different" or "the same" depending on what criteria you use.
Cows and sheep are different, but compared to fish they are very similar with both being similar mammals, fish and sheep are the same compared to a rock with both being alive, and a rock and a cow are the same compared to dark matter with both being made of atoms.

The mix and variety of Irish people are what make up "The Irish People" and depending on what criteria you use to make someone different to another, we are either all the same or every single individual is different, with everything else in-between being equally valid.

The only exception to the above would be South Armagh, ye are all nuts.

Says West Cork. Was actually down there a fortnight ago for a few days, mad craic

Qualitymark

it's definitely a mindset; the radio news in Northern Ireland treats the people and country a few kilometres to their south as if it doesn't exist, and their driving news refers to "the midlands" (of England). The only time you hear news of anything happening in, say, Galway or even Sligo is if it's a horrific crime or if it's some nasty piece of corruption.

Whereas in the Republic of Ireland, news programmes report on people who have gone missing in Down, or road accidents in Antrim, etc, quite normally.

Northerners simply don't know anything about how their neighbours to the south live. I was showing someone from Belfast a photo of a pretty Wexford Garda station recently, and she said "But how do you know it's a police station?" I zoomed in to show her the Garda logo, and a slow smile spread across her face. "Oh, really?" she said, as if I'd shown her some strange artefact.

Cú Giobach

Crooked Jack wrote: »

Says West Cork. Was actually down there a fortnight ago for a few days, mad craic

Just to reciprocate some of the best craic I have ever had was in South Armagh, going on the batter in Crossmaglen, Forkhill etc (a few years ago at least ) was a lot more fun than Schull or Clon, the helicopters gave it certain "flair".

Crooked Jack

LordSutch wrote: »

Yes I agree with most of that, but the thing is, might that argument also be used to say that little subtle differences and regional quirks would be found between the people of Northern Ireland and Scotland? Surely the UK mindset among many in NI would have them leaning towards the other regions within the UK (as well as the rest of this island). The imaginary line you speak of also exists between England & Wales, England and Scotland, and yet they are all part of one nation (the UK) as well as being seperate and individual countries/regions of their own right. For some people NI is identical to here, to others its foreign, and then there is every shade between those two points of view. My own view is that I find the North to be different, just different in a non quantifiable way. Parts of the North are very like parts of Britain, and I always get a sense that I am in a different country (not that I visit that often), then again if I was a travelling GAA supporter I would probably find no difference whatsoever up North.

So maybe its just a mindset?

Good point and kind of ties into what I was saying. If you go up expecting it to be different than it will be. Same as if i went down to Dublin expecting everyone to be a snobby D4 west brit or a slack jawed junkie then that's what I'd find.
Regarding the differences between scotland/wales and England i think they are a lot more profound than you would let on.
Celtic/gaelic culture has a lot of influence there, particularly in the scottish highlands and you really couldnt say they are the same as England, obviously however that doesnt apply to everyone in scotland and it's not something that just hits you as soon as you cross the border.
Regarding Ireland and England there are fairly big and fundamental differences, not just among Irish nationalists but even among unionists.
As much as unionists may not like to admit it, they are not british, within the UK, perhaps, bu certainly not british. In fact unionism has never considered itself british, this is a fairly recent phenomenon. Historically unionists had always considered themselves Irish (but were obviously in favour of the union.)
As for parts of the north being like Britain, im not even sure what that means. Britain is three distinct countries, how can parts of the north be like it, that's far too wide ranging and broad a statement to be accurate.
If youre referring to streets festooned with union jacks and UVF signs I assure you, that is nothing like britain.
This is getting away from the main topic of the thread which is north and south. As someone who travels a lot and lives on the border i can honestly say i see no difference between north and south that i dont see, as a i mentioned, between Mayo and Monaghan.

Crooked Jack

Qualitymark wrote: »

it's definitely a mindset; the radio news in Northern Ireland treats the people and country a few kilometres to their south as if it doesn't exist, and their driving news refers to "the midlands" (of England). The only time you hear news of anything happening in, say, Galway or even Sligo is if it's a horrific crime or if it's some nasty piece of corruption.

Whereas in the Republic of Ireland, news programmes report on people who have gone missing in Down, or road accidents in Antrim, etc, quite normally.

Northerners simply don't know anything about how their neighbours to the south live. I was showing someone from Belfast a photo of a pretty Wexford Garda station recently, and she said "But how do you know it's a police station?" I zoomed in to show her the Garda logo, and a slow smile spread across her face. "Oh, really?" she said, as if I'd shown her some strange artefact.

Again, much like the over use of the word "wee" that someone mentioned earlier, your taking something from Belfast and attributing it to the whole of the north.
Of course someone from Belfast doesnt know anything about wexford, people from belfast dont know anything about Derry, or Enniskillen or Omagh. They're notoriously Belfast-centric, they seem to think as soon as you get past Lisburn you'll drop off the edge of the world.
As for the news, I agree that's a disgrace and long may RTE and Newstalk continue to provide truly national news.

Qualitymark

Well, not really only Belfast; I've come across this Ireland-blindness from people in various parts of Northern Ireland. I wouldn't regard it and the (probably resulting) lack of news coverage as disgraceful, just as really, really odd. It'll probably lessen as people travel south more often.

Podgers

i don't like the brick housing estates up there ... but at least they are finished.

Mr_Spaceman

Qualitymark wrote: »

Always makes me smile when Northern people use 'wee' so much: "Would you put your wee credit card in the wee machine there?"

I think it's probably a wee legacy of the Scottish influence.

euddue

Podgers wrote: »

i don't like the brick housing estates up there ... but at least they are finished.

i actually prefer them to the plastered boxes we have

alchemist33

Qualitymark wrote: »

it's definitely a mindset; the radio news in Northern Ireland treats the people and country a few kilometres to their south as if it doesn't exist, and their driving news refers to "the midlands" (of England). The only time you hear news of anything happening in, say, Galway or even Sligo is if it's a horrific crime or if it's some nasty piece of corruption.

Whereas in the Republic of Ireland, news programmes report on people who have gone missing in Down, or road accidents in Antrim, etc, quite normally.

Northerners simply don't know anything about how their neighbours to the south live. I was showing someone from Belfast a photo of a pretty Wexford Garda station recently, and she said "But how do you know it's a police station?" I zoomed in to show her the Garda logo, and a slow smile spread across her face. "Oh, really?" she said, as if I'd shown her some strange artefact.

The reporting situation has changed a bit. BBC teletext from NI now regularly has some items from the south. Although you're right about the people. A friend from Carrickfergus recently asked me if the Republic has an army.

Little My

People are less hung up about religion. The problems between the two communities are not down to religious ideology, its rather a history of community tensions. If you think its still about religion you are seriously missing the point.

The majority of people from the republic know very little about Northern Ireland, if Galway people go to Sligo that's about as far north as they get. When the exchange rate was good and everyone wanted to go shopping I got asked 101 times if they needed a passport or what should they say if they get stopped crossing the border. It's ridiculous.

I can't think of any of my Northern friends who haven't been to the Republic, but I can think of many Galway friends who haven't been to the North.

Public service in the North is better, non of the bull****tery you get in the South. If you are entitled to money from the social welfare, the people in the office will be kind, considerate and professional, they will know how it works and what you will get from the start. You won't get as much, but you will get it from the week you sign on. The libraries are better, the public leisure centres are better, the schools are better equipped.

Our history has parted, but our grandparents were born in the same country ffs. How much difference, I mean real cultural difference, can be ingrained in the space of 2 generations?

Having lived in Northern Ireland for 18 years, England for 6, and Ireland for 6, there isn't much difference between any of them.

LordSutch

Qualitymark wrote: »

it's definitely a mindset; the radio news in Northern Ireland treats the people and country a few kilometres to their south as if it doesn't exist, and their driving news refers to "the midlands" (of England). The only time you hear news of anything happening in, say, Galway or even Sligo is if it's a horrific crime or if it's some nasty piece of corruption.

I guess that's because the media outlests in NI and in Britain see Northern Ireland as part of the UK National picture/Country!

Qualitymark wrote: »

Whereas in the Republic of Ireland, news programmes report on people who have gone missing in Down, or road accidents in Antrim, etc, quite normally.

And I guess that's because media outlets down here see Northern Ireland (The North) as part of this Nation/Country!

Bit like a media led tug of war really.

Where To

Qualitymark wrote: »

it's definitely a mindset; the radio news in Northern Ireland treats the people and country a few kilometres to their south as if it doesn't exist, and their driving news refers to "the midlands" (of England). The only time you hear news of anything happening in, say, Galway or even Sligo is if it's a horrific crime or if it's some nasty piece of corruption.

Whereas in the Republic of Ireland, news programmes report on people who have gone missing in Down, or road accidents in Antrim, etc, quite normally.

Northerners simply don't know anything about how their neighbours to the south live. I was showing someone from Belfast a photo of a pretty Wexford Garda station recently, and she said "But how do you know it's a police station?" I zoomed in to show her the Garda logo, and a slow smile spread across her face. "Oh, really?" she said, as if I'd shown her some strange artefact.

BBC and UTV coverage of Donegal events are infinitely superior to RTE.

Fish suppers?

MadsL

Qualitymark wrote: »

Northerners simply don't know anything about how their neighbours to the south live. I was showing someone from Belfast a photo of a pretty Wexford Garda station recently, and she said "But how do you know it's a police station?" I zoomed in to show her the Garda logo, and a slow smile spread across her face. "Oh, really?" she said, as if I'd shown her some strange artefact.

In fairness the lack of a security cage and twenty nine CCTV cameras around the building would have been confusing for the wee lass.

euddue

Bam Bam Mickey wrote: »

Fish suppers?

cowboy suppers are the big hit nowadays

euddue

euddue wrote: »

cowboy suppers are the big hit nowadays

Sausage, Beans and Chips.:D

hattoncracker

Bam Bam Mickey wrote: »

Fish suppers?

And Ulster frys... with potato bread! And breakfasts sodas are way more popular!

Antisocialiser

Pastie Supper. Mate. Wha.

who the fug

I find them people north of the Blackwater very insular

Qualitymark

LordSutch wrote: »

I guess that's because the media outlests in NI and in Britain see Northern Ireland as part of the UK National picture/Country!

Of course they want to hear the political news of their jurisdiction - but it's a bit odd to be warning drivers about "the midlands" condition on a different island!

And I guess that's because media outlets down here see Northern Ireland (The North) as part of this Nation/Country!

I don't think so. Political news is treated differently.

Qualitymark

Where To wrote: »

BBC and UTV coverage of Donegal events are infinitely superior to RTE.

Really? Didn't know that!

Incidentally, no cafe either north or south can cook a grilled tomato properly. It's supposed to be so well cooked that it's rich and sweet and red and juicy, lads, not a raw orangey thing that would break your teeth and tastes like mucus.

John Doe1

Yeah when i go from my home in east donegal to derry, i break out in nervous sweats over the difference in accents and culture. Also I hear they eat their children:eek: