Has being Irish ever been problem when it comes to dating anyone?

DColeman

Just wondering, we always hear how Irish people are viewed favourably around the world, and how many people in the UK, Australia love our humour, our accents etc.

But has there ever been a time where it has been a problem for you?

For example, we all know in the North mixed marriages and relationships are still seen as taboo for a lot of families. Mixed marriages are less than 10% still and 95% of kids attend segregated schools there. Undoubtedly therefore its likely people from down here would run into some form of problem if they tried to date a northern unionist. Thats not to say I speak badly of those who prefer to do that, I've met many northern protestants who are sound but conservative in their views and said it would be just too difficult to date an Irish catholic.

In Scotland similarly I've met some Scots who stated they would never marry a catholic, because their families would crack up. They said they could marry an English/Italian/Spanish/German catholic, but never an Irish or a Scottish catholic (Scottish ones tend to be of Irish descent).

This happens far more than some people realise, particularly in those two parts of the UK, which made me wonder has being Irish ever been a problem for you when it comes dating people in from other countries/nationalities?

orangesoda

My brother used to date a unionist and had little problems so i doubt a southerner would have any at all to be honest

justforlaugh

we are not viewed favorably around the world, people do not love our accents or sense of humour nor do they hate our accents or humour

people like you for you not because where you come from. sure there some australian who got no problems with Irish and then again there are some who not very keen.

Riskymove

tbh you mention if being Irish was a problem and then mention religions

two very different things

DColeman

Riskymove wrote: »

tbh you mention if being Irish was a problem and then mention religions

two very different things

Because people often associate it with the same thing, hence the example I gave about Scotland that a catholic from another country was probably acceptable.

The Backwards Man

My granny used to have a saying when the subjects of nationality or religion would come up.

'Balls!', she would say.

DEFTLEFTHAND

Riskymove wrote: »

tbh you mention if being Irish was a problem and then mention religions

two very different things

I suppose historically a lot of anti Irish sentiment around the globe especially in the USA was rooted in anti Catholic prejudice.

Riskymove

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

I suppose historically a lot of anti Irish sentiment around the globe especially in the USA was rooted in anti Catholic prejudice.

I realise that but while I understand people wanting to marry within their own faiths, I don't see why people would not want to be in a relationship simply based on nationality alone

Stojkovic

Riskymove wrote: »

tbh you mention if being Irish was a problem and then mention religions

two very different things

Indeed.

What about Southern Irish Protestants ?

donegal__road

Stojkovic wrote: »

Indeed.

What about Southern Irish Protestants ?

Ive dated a few, religion was never an issue.

Stojkovic

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

I suppose historically a lot of anti Irish sentiment around the globe especially in the USA was rooted in anti Catholic prejudice.

The vast majority of Irish immigrants into the USA were Scots-Irish/Ulster-Irish and hence were NOT Catholics.

They're were approx 15 Presidents before JFK who were Scots-Irish (non-Catholic).

Mr Pseudonym

justforlaugh wrote: »

we are not viewed favorably around the world, people do not love our accents or sense of humour nor do they hate our accents or humour

people like you for you not because where you come from. sure there some australian who got no problems with Irish and then again there are some who not very keen.

As one who detests Irish jingoism, it pains me to say that I don't agree entirely. Certainly the extent to which Ireland is "famed around the world" is significantly over-stated: I remember hearing a friend who had returned from a gap-year in India saying, with awe, that some people there hadn't even heard of Ireland.

However, on the coasts of the States, I have received embarrassingly friendly welcomes from people because of my Irish-ness. And, in other anglophone countries, the Irish are synonymous with joviality and having fun. Whether that is a favorable reputation is debatable.

Cool Mo D

Stojkovic wrote: »

The vast majority of Irish immigrants into the USA were Scots-Irish/Ulster-Irish and hence were NOT Catholics.

They're were approx 15 Presidents before JFK who were Scots-Irish (non-Catholic).

That's not true. The Scots-Irish went to the USA much earlier, integrated more thoroughly and were much more involved in founding America and the revolution than Catholic Irish. Therefore there is a deep Scots-Irish heritage in the USA, that can be seen in the Scots-Irish descended presidents. However, in sheer numbers, the migration of Irish Catholics after the famine was much bigger.

The_Valeyard

Ran into problems in Toronto. It seema few Irish were causing problems on Young/ Yong (cant remember name) Street. Locals not very happy at all.

Pug160

I don't know, but I have heard a lot of foreign girls say that Irish men are shyer in general than other nationalities. That's certainly a potential problem.

Strumms

last two girls I dated were protesents the current one is from Denmark. No issues whatsoever, I'm not religious and neither is she. Her parents are mildly so but are very nice open welcoming people. Anyone who gives anyone a hard time, or indeed makes any negative judgement over what religion somone else is regarless of any other context is just a ****ing twat.. period.

partyguinness

justforlaugh wrote: »

we are not viewed favorably around the world, people do not love our accents or sense of humour nor do they hate our accents or humour

people like you for you not because where you come from. sure there some australian who got no problems with Irish and then again there are some who not very keen.

I think that is a little too extreme. Yes I take your point about people liking you for you the individual. Yes I do hate the attitude "Oh everyone loves us" BS

But I have lived a worked in the US and England and as soon as they figure you are Irish, there is definitely a change in attitude "Oh your Irish, my mother's mother etc etc" can be a little tedious but if it helps with business etc then great.

My father in law is a Scottish Protestant and life long Glasgow Rangers fan. When my wife told her grandfather I was Irish, the first thing he asked was "Is he RC?" But no hassle or comments otherwise.

Frank Lee Midere

Cool Mo D wrote: »

That's not true. The Scots-Irish went to the USA much earlier, integrated more thoroughly and were much more involved in founding America and the revolution than Catholic Irish. Therefore there is a deep Scots-Irish heritage in the USA, that can be seen in the Scots-Irish descended presidents. However, in sheer numbers, the migration of Irish Catholics after the famine was much bigger.

That's probably wrong to begin with (the actual numbers are wrong that is) but it also misses how population dynamics work. If the population of white America was 20% Scots Irish when the total population was 3 million whites it would probably be 20% of the white population when the "larger number of Catholics" arrive. That is 20% of upto 100 M people.

The reality is that the white non Hispanic Catholics in the US make up 18% of the total. The rest largely declare as Protestant.

Greenmachine

The_Valeyard wrote: »

Ran into problems in Toronto. It seema few Irish were causing problems on Young/ Yong (cant remember name) Street. Locals not very happy at all.

Does that street have the big centre on it.

crockholm

Slightly ot,but,it is wrong to assume that Southern Irish equals Catholic in the USA,religion is very dynamic there and nearly 20 % of the population observe a different faith than the one they were born into.

As to the op,yes,I have heard it mentioned before. Someone I know worked with a fellah whose daughter married an Irish Catholic, and he wasn't too pleased about the prospect.

keeponhurling

Most of the world could barely place Ireland on a map, let alone care what religions people are here.
Non-Christian countries view christians as all the same, probably as to some extent we view Muslims as all the same.

The only hassle I ever had was women wanting someone from their own country, or patents insisting. Not every country is as open minded as Ireland.

The_Valeyard

Greenmachine wrote: »

Does that street have the big centre on it.

Not sure,

One side leads to a massive shopping centre, the other side lead down to theatres and pubs

beano345

Greenmachine wrote: »

Does that street have the big centre on it.

The Eaton centre

astonaidan

DColeman wrote: »

Just wondering, we always hear how Irish people are viewed favourably around the world, and how many people in the UK, Australia love our humour, our accents etc.

But has there ever been a time where it has been a problem for you?

For example, we all know in the North mixed marriages and relationships are still seen as taboo for a lot of families. Mixed marriages are less than 10% still and 95% of kids attend segregated schools there. Undoubtedly therefore its likely people from down here would run into some form of problem if they tried to date a northern unionist. Thats not to say I speak badly of those who prefer to do that, I've met many northern protestants who are sound but conservative in their views and said it would be just too difficult to date an Irish catholic.

In Scotland similarly I've met some Scots who stated they would never marry a catholic, because their families would crack up. They said they could marry an English/Italian/Spanish/German catholic, but never an Irish or a Scottish catholic (Scottish ones tend to be of Irish descent).

This happens far more than some people realise, particularly in those two parts of the UK, which made me wonder has being Irish ever been a problem for you when it comes dating people in from other countries/nationalities?

I met a protestant from the north all he wanted to do was talk to me about religion, I rarely go to mass like but there was a devout roman catholic who the guy wasnt even interested in talking to about it. North and to a lesser extend Scotland are ****ed up when it comes to religion. Whats funny is English people dont seem to care what religion you are

COYVB

The_Valeyard wrote: »

Ran into problems in Toronto. It seema few Irish were causing problems on Young/ Yong (cant remember name) Street. Locals not very happy at all.

Yonge

COYVB

My father-in-law is a protestant married to an Italian catholic, and my wife, like me, was baptised but isn't vaguely religious. Never been a problem at all. Over here in Canada religion is more a personal thing that people do themselves than anything viewed as something that defines you from my experience. It's an incredibly secular place I've found

stimpson

I was out on the beer in London a few year back and a friends sister asked me to whisper "thirty three and a third" into her ear. Apparently it made her "moist".

Irishmale0399

Went out with a young lady in Belfast as a student. Her old man was a big Orange Order fan and advised me nicely to stay away from his daughter from June till Sept.....no joke....he was never accepting of me cause of where i came from in Ireland.......Fundalk!!!!

The one case i did have where i was sure it would be a problem was in Düsseldorf where i met a young Turkish lady at work, well we got together and all she would tell me is, my family arent allowed to know. When the father found out he loved me.....all he would say to me in broken English was......F++k the Queen......

partyguinness

Irishmale0399 wrote: »

Went out with a young lady in Belfast as a student. Her old man was a big Orange Order fan and advised me nicely to stay away from his daughter from June till Sept.....no joke....he was never accepting of me cause of where i came from in Ireland.......Fundalk!!!!

The one case i did have where i was sure it would be a problem was in Düsseldorf where i met a young Turkish lady at work, well we got together and all she would tell me is, my family arent allowed to know. When the father found out he loved me.....all he would say to me in broken English was......F++k the Queen......

You should have pointed out that everyone knows that the Orange Order is one big gay parade anyway...:D

conorhal

Mr Pseudonym wrote: »

As one who detests Irish jingoism, it pains me to say that I don't agree entirely. Certainly the extent to which Ireland is "famed around the world" is significantly over-stated: I remember hearing a friend who had returned from a gap-year in India saying, with awe, that some people there hadn't even heard of Ireland.

However, on the coasts of the States, I have received embarrassingly friendly welcomes from people because of my Irish-ness. And, in other anglophone countries, the Irish are synonymous with joviality and having fun. Whether that is a favorable reputation is debatable.

I'm pretty surprised there are people in India that haven't heard of Ireland to be honest, I spend half my life on the bloody phone to them! I'm almost sure that logging a fault with HP has at some point required me to speak to pretty much all one billion of them*, or at least it feels like it.
(*This coincidental fact might also explain any prejudice an Irish person may face experience when encountering our sub-continental friends...)

whiskeyman

Mr Pseudonym wrote: »

jingoism.

I love this word.
I've nothing to add to this thread, except for my love for this word, so thank you for using it.
Say it in your head.
Funny, isn't it?

SharpshooterTom

orangesoda wrote: »

My brother used to date a unionist and had little problems so i doubt a southerner would have any at all to be honest

Oh they definitely would, the concept of dating a southern "taig" would go down like a lead balloon with a number of northern unionist families. Seriously you must mad to think otherwise. I would say thats even worse than dating a northern "taig".

Granted there are families who wouldn't mind like the one you've described and good on them, but I'm not sure they're in anyway the majority. I lived in Northern Ireland for over 13 years and thats certainly not my experiances.

Frank Lee Midere

whiskeyman wrote: »

I love this word.
I've nothing to add to this thread, except for my love for this word, so thank you for using it.
Say it in your head.
Funny, isn't it?

His use of Jingoism was incorrect.

spin_master

Stojkovic wrote: »

The vast majority of Irish immigrants into the USA were Scots-Irish/Ulster-Irish and hence were NOT Catholics.

They're were approx 15 Presidents before JFK who were Scots-Irish (non-Catholic).

your wrong , the vast majority of immigrants to the usa from Ireland prior to 1840 were " scots irish " and they tended to settle in the southern states

in 2014 the overwhelming majority of irish americans are of catholic irish ancestry - identity

spin_master

Strumms wrote: »

last two girls I dated were protesents the current one is from Denmark. No issues whatsoever, I'm not religious and neither is she. Her parents are mildly so but are very nice open welcoming people. Anyone who gives anyone a hard time, or indeed makes any negative judgement over what religion somone else is regarless of any other context is just a ****ing twat.. period.

Protestantism as a culture is non existant as a force in most of Europe , Scotland and northern Ireland are the only places where the identity runs deep

95% of native danes are protestant - Lutheran , Lutherans never had the same hang ups about Catholicism that Presbyterians in Scotland and northern Ireland did - do

spin_master

astonaidan wrote: »

I met a protestant from the north all he wanted to do was talk to me about religion, I rarely go to mass like but there was a devout roman catholic who the guy wasnt even interested in talking to about it. North and to a lesser extend Scotland are ****ed up when it comes to religion. Whats funny is English people dont seem to care what religion you are

that's because English protestants are Anglican , Presbyterians are the overwhelming majority of protestants in Scotland and northern Ireland , Presbyterianism is much more hostile to the church of rome than Anglicanism , always has been

Xidu

yes, Irish drinks too much. Man and woman.

SharpshooterTom

A lot of people still think this is about religion, when in truth its really as much about ethnicity and cultural heritage.

spin_master

ThomasFlynn wrote: »

A lot of people still think this is about religion, when in truth its really as much about ethnicity and cultural heritage.

for many people religion is an intrinsic part of cultural heritage and ethnicity

dundalkfc10

stimpson wrote: »

I was out on the beer in London a few year back and a friends sister asked me to whisper "thirty three and a third" into her ear. Apparently it made her "moist".

Haha I use to get asked to say that all the time at College over there

Mint Aero

Your thread got a bit stupid after the title OP. I was expecting some interesting cultural clashes but instead got a load of gibberish about the North.

Smidge

Being Irish has never been a problem for me dating any nationality.
My sexiness just translates

orangesoda

ThomasFlynn wrote: »

Oh they definitely would, the concept of dating a southern "taig" would go down like a lead balloon with a number of northern unionist families. Seriously you must mad to think otherwise. I would say thats even worse than dating a northern "taig".

Granted there are families who wouldn't mind like the one you've described and good on them, but I'm not sure they're in anyway the majority. I lived in Northern Ireland for over 13 years and thats certainly not my experiances.

It would depend what their political views are of course, it would be like an ulster republican dating an english person, as long as they weren't the 'no surrender - NEVER NEVER' type of english person i doubt it would matter

calanus

Any time that I've dated someone abroad they are quick to tell me how hot they think certain Irish actors are...

Well, that's great and all but I'm not any of them

astonaidan

spin_master wrote: »

that's because English protestants are Anglican , Presbyterians are the overwhelming majority of protestants in Scotland and northern Ireland , Presbyterianism is much more hostile to the church of rome than Anglicanism , always has been

Ah I was basing the whole difference on England being a much more diverse country now than Scotland/NI.
The point I was actually trying to make put I seem to have left it out in my comment was
The NI guy wanted to talk to me about religion but didnt want to talk to the Italian guy who was a devout catholic, this did happen during the OO marching week.
TBH Ive learned over time, anyone wearing a rangers top, who has a NI flag or refers to themselfs as Ulster Scots can go throw themselfs off a cliff and if I had the chance Id make what Hitler did to the jews look soft.

Makood

OH is a Russian Orthodox-neither of us are religious in anyway so never an issue.
However-she does claim that her "God" is "bigger, better and more godlier" than ours

floggg

justforlaugh wrote: »

we are not viewed favorably around the world, people do not love our accents or sense of humour nor do they hate our accents or humour

people like you for you not because where you come from. sure there some australian who got no problems with Irish and then again there are some who not very keen.

My bf has had people who want date him because he was Mexican.

Sometimes they do like you for where you come from.

floggg

Stojkovic wrote: »

Indeed.

What about Southern Irish Protestants ?

Or Northern Irish Unionists?

They might hate the pope (but don't we all), but they are still Irish.