Using Politicans First Names?

MrAbyss · 27-09-2019 9:35pm #1

This seem unique to Ireland. I find it rather obnoxious in that we see them as 'mates' and this whole 'Leo', 'Bertie', 'Psychopath' or whatever their first names are gets them off the hook in this country. 'Ah, sure 'Psychopath' is going to get the potholes filled.' etc like they are personal friends or something.

I am just wondering if it was always like this in Ireland since the foundation of the state, or just something that came along since 'Charlie'?

banie01 · 27-09-2019 9:37pm

MrAbyss wrote: »

This seem unique to Ireland. I find it rather obnoxious in that we see them as 'mates' and this whole 'Leo', 'Bertie', 'Psychopath' or whatever their first names are gets them off the hook in this country. 'Ah, sure 'Psychopath' is going to get the potholes filled.' etc like they are personal friends or something.

I am just wondering if it was always like this in Ireland since the foundation of the state, or just something that came along since 'Charlie'?

Tricky Dicky? Ike? Teddy? Boris?
Its common everywhere and has been as long as there has been politicians.

I doubt many called Pericles or Alcibiades by their surnames either.

Yer Da sells Avon · 27-09-2019 9:38pm

It's not just Ireland. Look at 'Boris' in the UK. Or 'The' Donald in America.

castletownman · 27-09-2019 9:49pm

ADDRESS ME BY MY PROPER TITLE. YOU LITTLE BOLLOX!

s7ryf3925pivug · 27-09-2019 9:50pm

Or 55 (as in LV) such a lame nickname.

igCorcaigh · 27-09-2019 9:50pm

I guess it makes them seem more cuddly, likable almost.

Who wouldn't like an Adolf? Almost reindeer like.

PostWoke · 27-09-2019 9:54pm

MrAbyss wrote: »

This seem unique to Ireland. I find it rather obnoxious in that we see them as 'mates' and this whole 'Leo', 'Bertie', 'Psychopath' or whatever their first names are gets them off the hook in this country. 'Ah, sure 'Psychopath' is going to get the potholes filled.' etc like they are personal friends or something.

I am just wondering if it was always like this in Ireland since the foundation of the state, or just something that came along since 'Charlie'?

Ireland has a real issue with confusing authority figures.

Remember that these plonkers are actually your employees, as you are a citizen. The same goes for our useless police. Ireland also has a serious problem with automatic worship of anyone in uniform. How did that work out with the nuns, the priests, and the police?

Maybe if we ever had decent leadership in this country, the positions of leadership would be more respected.

If you want to revere anyone save it for our firemen/ambulance drivers/healthcare workers/teachers.

dxhound2005 · 27-09-2019 9:55pm

Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson.

Dr. Bre · 27-09-2019 9:57pm

The Don

igCorcaigh · 27-09-2019 9:58pm

PostWoke wrote: »

Ireland has a real issue with confusing authority figures.

Remember that these plonkers are actually your employees, as you are a citizen. The same goes for our useless police. Ireland also has a serious problem with automatic worship of anyone in uniform. How did that work out with the nuns, the priests, and the police?

Maybe if we ever had decent leadership in this country, the positions of leadership would be more respected.

If you want to revere anyone save it for our firemen/ambulance drivers/healthcare workers/teachers.

Well yeah, but it's all the Brits fault, so it is.

27-09-2019 10:06pm

Its a cultural thing, I think.

In the US even among people that work together and such, surnames get used a lot more than first names.

Deiselurker · 28-09-2019 3:45am

Today fm newsreader on Ian Dempsey's breakfast show called the British pm Boris the other day. Even Ian Dempsey picked up on it. I wouldn't have much time for Boris Johnson but show a bit of respect. 'Boris'or 'Leo' aren't your personal friend so stop referring to them by their first name only.

Bob24 · 28-09-2019 5:41am

MrAbyss wrote: »

This seem unique to Ireland. I find it rather obnoxious in that we see them as 'mates' and this whole 'Leo', 'Bertie', 'Psychopath' or whatever their first names are gets them off the hook in this country. 'Ah, sure 'Psychopath' is going to get the potholes filled.' etc like they are personal friends or something.

I am just wondering if it was always like this in Ireland since the foundation of the state, or just something that came along since 'Charlie'?

Not unique to Ireland although it is particularly prominent here ... see Boris Johnson in the UK for exemple (yes I did make a point of writing is full name :-)).

I personally dislike it as indeed I don’t expect Leo Varadkar to be my buddy (and even if I call him by his first name, the reality is he won’t be), but a good leader for the country.

In my mouth, putting some distance by calling him Varadkar, Leo Varadkar, or the Taoiseach means 2 thin*:
- a mark of respect for his person and the office he is holding (he is the leader of our nation and not a random bloke across the street)
- but also a way to show that what I expect from him is a lot more than what I expect from that random bloke across the street and that his responsibility is to serve our common national interest rather than being anyone’s buddy

Hercule Poirot · 28-09-2019 5:44am

Deiselurker wrote: »

Today fm newsreader on Ian Dempsey's breakfast show called the British pm Boris the other day. Even Ian Dempsey picked up on it. I wouldn't have much time for Boris Johnson but show a bit of respect. 'Boris'or 'Leo' aren't your personal friend so stop referring to them by their first name only.

Yeah but saying Johnson over and over is bound to lead to giggles eventually

PostWoke · 28-09-2019 11:17am

Deiselurker wrote: »

I wouldn't have much time for Boris Johnson but show a bit of respect.

Why? He's a muppet? Do you also get triggered by political cartoons?

Guy:Incognito · 28-09-2019 11:25am

First names are grand. People, media included, addressing them by their nicknames is fupping ridiculous.

gormdubhgorm · 28-09-2019 11:27am

dxhound2005 wrote: »

Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson.

In in de Pfeffel altogether now so he is.
That name suits him and his bluster as well.

gormdubhgorm · 28-09-2019 11:29am

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

First names are grand. People, media included, addressing them by their nicknames is fupping ridiculous.

What about sports pundits talking to each other - Dalo, Whelo, Keano, Jayo, Crouchy, Giggsy etc?

Guy:Incognito · 28-09-2019 11:59am

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

What about sports pundits talking to each other - Dalo, Whelo, Keano, Jayo, Crouchy, Giggsy etc?

Thats generally people that know each other.

The news should really be of a slightly higher standard to a few lads chatting about football.

Plus , the news arent using shortening of their names , its stuff like the cope and ming. I doubt the pundits are using some of the lads real nicknames

Your Face · 30-09-2019 6:38pm

MrAbyss wrote: »

This seem unique to Ireland. I find it rather obnoxious in that we see them as 'mates' and this whole 'Leo', 'Bertie', 'Psychopath' or whatever their first names are gets them off the hook in this country. 'Ah, sure 'Psychopath' is going to get the potholes filled.' etc like they are personal friends or something.

I am just wondering if it was always like this in Ireland since the foundation of the state, or just something that came along since 'Charlie'?

Its as bad as using their last names.

Marhay70 · 30-09-2019 7:12pm

I'd call them by their first names because calling them by the names they deserve would probably land me in the nick.
I do agree with the OP though, calling them by first names makes them too much of a buddy buddy character when all they see you as is a means to an end, keep them at arms length and treat them with the contempt they deserve.

Using Politicans First Names?

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