People who still think Ireland is part of the UK

air assault

Before anyone says part of Ireland is still part of the UK, I'm aware of that.

I remember watching a video on YouTube where there's an Irish guy from the IDA or some organization like that discussing trade on an American tv show. One of the panelists was totally confused why Ireland used the Euro and Scotland uses the pound. He seemed to be oblivious that we are an independent country.

It seems to crop up now and again. It really annoys me and shows people ignorance. What's everyone's thoughts.....

Here's the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpasQJJF-h0

maestroamado

air assault wrote: »

Before anyone says part of Ireland is still part of the UK, I'm aware of that.

I remember watching a video on YouTube where there's an Irish guy from the IDA or some organization like that discussing trade on an American tv show. One of the panelists was totally confused why Ireland used the Euro and Scotland uses the pound. He seemed to be oblivious that we are an independent country.

It seems to crop up now and again. It really annoys me and shows people ignorance. What's everyone's thoughts.....

Here's the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpasQJJF-h0

We are not as relevant as we like to think we are. I know from travelling over the years that when i mentioned i am from Ireland i am often asked where it is as they think we park of UK...

air assault

air assault wrote: »

Before anyone says part of Ireland is still part of the UK, I'm aware of that.

I remember watching a video on YouTube where there's an Irish guy from the IDA or some organization like that discussing trade on an American tv show. One of the panelists was totally confused why Ireland used the Euro and Scotland uses the pound. He seemed to be oblivious that we are an independent country.

It seems to crop up now and again. It really annoys me and shows people ignorance. What's everyone's thoughts.....

Here's the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpasQJJF-h0

We are an incredibly small country. If you asked people even what continent Papua New Guinea is in, let alone the currency, most people would get it wrong even though they have about twice the population.

Lucy8080

Hey, that guy in the video now knows more than when he started the conversation. You can see his co-hosts knew he was making a mistake.

It's all good.

maestroamado

Why did he not explain when the Euro was introduced we wanted in and UK wanted to stay as there were/are.
Also the tax thing is a big deal in some countries.

We are not as relevant as we like to think we are. I know from travelling over the years that when i mentioned i am from Ireland i am often asked where it is as they think we park of UK...

I had done post before i seen the clip...

Gregor Samsa

Ask most people in Ireland what the constitutional situation of Puerto Rico is, and they're not going to have a clue. Does the average person know that France's biggest land border is with Brazil? And it also has a border with Canada? Some people might know that Principality of Andorra is an independent country, but do they know that the Princes that are the heads of state are the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell, Spain?

Not everyone in the world should be expected to know the ins and outs of a small nation with a complicated history.

I work for an American company. I've come across this countless times, people referring to us as the UK.

But by the same token, the company's HQ is just outside Minneapolis. We'd often refer to it as the "Minneapolis office". But this is incorrect, and doesn't make any sense to them. The office isn't in Minneapolis, it's in a different city, and they would never refer to it as such. It would be like someone referring to an office in Bray as "the Dublin office". As you get further from a place, the resolution decreases and the details become less apparent.

whisky_galore

Triggering to Irish people who think the world revolves around Ireland and every nationality should have a potted history of Ireland in their head.

Lucy8080

maestroamado wrote: »

Why did he not explain when the Euro was introduced we wanted in and UK wanted to stay as there were/are.
Also the tax thing is a big deal in some countries.

We are not as relevant as we like to think we are. I know from travelling over the years that when i mentioned i am from Ireland i am often asked where it is as they think we park of UK...

I had done post before i seen the clip...

The impression I'm getting , is that Financials of Euro/Stirling are what in this lads head. History/Geography are not too much to the fore. Maybe ,Financials could be a struggle too. Still, he landed a t.v. slot questioning a senior in the I.D.A. about business and finance in U.K./Ireland/ Europe.

How do I get one of those gigs? I can be at least half as ignorant ?

DuffleBag

whisky_galore wrote: »

Triggering to Irish people who think the world revolves around Ireland and every nationality should have a potted history of Ireland in their head.

I don't think it's that. Ireland punches well above it's weight in all aspects: finance, sport, commerce etc. Someone else compared it to Papa new guinea which is unfair on them. They're are not even close to our level.

The crux of this is the Irish guy should've nipped it in the bud early and instead of "why would we use the pound" he should've killed it and say Ireland isn't part of the UK. I don't think it's too much to ask that a news reporter/journalist would know that Ireland isn't part of the UK. Maybe the "Republic" part should be used more often.

ancapailldorcha

About a decade ago, I got asked by a woman in her mid to late twenties in an Oxford pub whether or not they still owned us.

whisky_galore

DuffleBag wrote: »

I don't think it's that. Ireland punches well above it's weight in all aspects: finance, sport, commerce etc. Someone else compared it to Papa new guinea which is unfair on them. They're are not even close to our level.

The crux of this is the Irish guy should've nipped it in the bud early and instead of "why would we use the pound" he should've killed it and say Ireland isn't part of the UK. I don't think it's too much to ask that a news reporter/journalist would know that Ireland isn't part of the UK. Maybe the "Republic" part should be used more often.

Some people don't know or don't care about us.
Some people simply aren't all that smart.

ancapailldorcha

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

About a decade ago, I got asked by a woman in her mid to late twenties in an Oxford pub whether or not they still owned us.

Was she hot, though?

ancapailldorcha

Deleted User wrote: »

Was she hot, though?

Somewhat. I find ignorance extremely unattractive though.

riffmongous

Some very stupid comparisons here so far lads, PNG and Andorra ffs

I think Northern Ireland is a part of it. The problem for those without a whole lot of history and political knowledge is that they are aware there is some political connection between the UK and Ireland and it never dawns on them that if there is 'northern' part there must be a reciprocal part too. Sure there's a soccer team called the Republic of Ireland but there's also Wales and Scotland and they're part of the UK

[Deleted User]

[Deleted User] wrote: »

We are an incredibly small country. If you asked people even what continent Papua New Guinea is in, let alone the currency, most people would get it wrong even though they have about twice the population.

I don’t buy this argument because Britain is well known. Therefore any reasonable education system should throw in the fact that there’s two separate countries on those two islands. If they can be taught where Britain is (which they must have done because they know Ireland is close by) then that slightly extra information is all that’s needed.

maestroamado

DuffleBag wrote: »

I don't think it's that. Ireland punches well above it's weight in all aspects: finance, sport, commerce etc. Someone else compared it to Papa new guinea which is unfair on them. They're are not even close to our level.

The crux of this is the Irish guy should've nipped it in the bud early and instead of "why would we use the pound" he should've killed it and say Ireland isn't part of the UK. I don't think it's too much to ask that a news reporter/journalist would know that Ireland isn't part of the UK. Maybe the "Republic" part should be used more often.

I agree he should have nailed it immediately by saying we are sovereign country fully integrated in with Europe and Euro, UK made their decision separate to us.
He did not do this. After all the fact that we are in EU is principle reason corporate America are here.
I may be wrong they may love ud and be here for the craic...

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

I don’t buy this argument because Britain is well known. Therefore any reasonable education system should throw in the fact that there’s two separate countries on those two islands. If they can be taught where Britain is (which they must have done because they know Ireland is close by) then that slightly extra information is all that’s needed.

Britain is well known yes, but do you think even the overwhelming majority of Irish people know that Northern Ireland is not in Great Britain? Or that the Isle of Man is not in the UK?

If Irish people don't even know these things, why should we expect Americans to know the difference between Britain and the British Isles?

It's common enough in Asia, and Africa to encounter people who think Ireland is part of the UK. A large part is that in poorer regions, they use old history/geography books for teaching, so they get taught out-of-date information as children, and it's not updated in their minds as they get older. They have such limited exposure to information about Ireland beyond Riverdance and Boyzone. Ireland being part of the "British Isles" doesn't help either.

I've encountered it in smaller local airports abroad, where the official is confused that I didn't have a British passport, and they've asked superiors to check to make sure my Irish passport is real. It happens.. although it's happening far less than it used to. (although, then again, I don't travel much in the sticks anymore either)

ancapailldorcha

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

About a decade ago, I got asked by a woman in her mid to late twenties in an Oxford pub whether or not they still owned us.

Whatever about yanks, someone from Britain not knowing where their border begins and ends is appalling. And in fact is one of the reasons why Brexit is such a mess. They didn’t discuss the border (the only land border with the EU) during the referendum if I recall.

Uncle Pierre

riffmongous wrote: »

Some very stupid comparisons here so far lads, PNG and Andorra ffs

Belgium, then.

How many people here would know the intricacies of the divide between the Flemish and the French speaking parts, and how deep the feelings between them run?

sebdavis

Most people in Europe are fully aware that Ireland is not part of UK.

I deal with the US daily and you will find a lot of people think we are the one. Also in terms of currency they think we have UKP. This happens all the time.

Uncle Pierre

Uncle Pierre wrote: »

Belgium, then.

How many people here would know the intricacies of the divide between the Flemish and the French speaking parts, and how deep the feelings between them run?

Holland too. Not everyone who is from Holland is from the Netherlands.

[Deleted User]

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Britain is well known yes, but do you think even the overwhelming majority of Irish people know that Northern Ireland is not in Great Britain? Or that the Isle of Man is not in the UK?

Well those are just terminologies and U.K. dubious that Irish people would not know that either. Irish people know where the border with the U.K. is. Some might say Great Britain (but I doubt it). Most would say the Northern Ireland border, or the U.K.

If Irish people don't even know these things, why should we expect Americans to know the difference between Britain and the British Isles?

I would expect all educated people to know this. And in fact most do, and I have lived in the US.

You are taught where these islands are and then as a follow on that the two islands have two jurisdictions. I would also expect people to know north and South Korea.

Uncle Pierre

Deleted User wrote: »

Britain is well known yes, but do you think even the overwhelming majority of Irish people know that Northern Ireland is not in Great Britain? Or that the Isle of Man is not in the UK?

If Irish people don't even know these things, why should we expect Americans to know the difference between Britain and the British Isles?

This is true. I reckon a huge number of people here don't realise the difference between Great Britain and the UK.

Not to mention those who refuse to accept that we're part of the British Isles, despite how it's simply a geographical term rather than a political one....

Uncle Pierre

Uncle Pierre wrote: »

Belgium, then.

How many people here would know the intricacies of the divide between the Flemish and the French speaking parts, and how deep the feelings between them run?

No border there. What about Portugal and Spain. How many people think that Portugal is part of Spain being as they are part of the same peninsula?

Is that reasonable?

Uncle Pierre

Deleted User wrote: »

Holland too. Not everyone who is from Holland is from the Netherlands.

Think it's actually the other way round? Everybody from Holland is from The Netherlands, but not everybody from The Netherlands is from Holland?

i.e. Nord and Zuid (North and South) Holland are two of the provinces that make up The Netherlands, but there are other provinces too.

But either way, the very fact that we both can't be right just goes to prove the point being made here

joe40

Uncle Pierre wrote: »

This is true. I reckon a huge number of people here don't realise the difference between Great Britain and the UK.

Not to mention those who refuse to accept that we're part of the British Isles, despite how it's simply a geographical term rather than a political one....

The British isles is a geographical term but it is rarely used due to the political history. It is not a term I use to describe these islands.

Any American who went to school and every British person should know Ireland (Republic) is not part of the UK. I would have thought it basic common knowledge.

The Northern Ireland troubles was world wide news at the time.

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

Well those are just terminologies and U.K. dubious that Irish people would not know that either. Irish people know where the border with the U.K. is. Some might say Great Britain (but I doubt it). Most would say the Northern Ireland border, or the U.K.

They are just terminologies? What? So it's perfectly understandable to you if most Irish people incorrectly think the Isle of Man is in the UK, but not if most American people incorrectly think Ireland is in the UK?

Deleted User wrote: »

I would expect all educated people to know this. And in fact most do, and I have lived in the US.

You are taught where these islands are and then as a follow on that the two islands have two jurisdictions. I would also expect people to know north and South Korea.

I have also lived in the US. Most of my Americans friends do indeed know the distinction between Ireland the UK. However, that is obviously a very biased sample. I worked in America as a teacher, and many of my fellow teachers did not know the difference let alone the students.

It does not become a "fact" just because the people you personally knew in America are aware of the distinction.

Uncle Pierre

Uncle Pierre wrote: »

Think it's actually the other way round? Everybody from Holland is from The Netherlands, but not everybody from The Netherlands is from Holland?

i.e. Nord and Zuid (North and South) Holland are two of the provinces that make up The Netherlands, but there are other provinces too.

But either way, the very fact that we both can't be right just goes to prove the point being made here

Yes, I grammar'd bad.

Uncle Pierre

Deleted User wrote: »

No border there. What about Portugal and Spain. How many people think that Portugal is part of Spain being as they are part of the same peninsula?

Probably not many, in fairness. But there was never a union for centuries between those countries, in the way there was here.

Amirani

DuffleBag wrote: »

I don't think it's that. Ireland punches well above it's weight in all aspects: finance, sport, commerce etc. Someone else compared it to Papa new guinea which is unfair on them. They're are not even close to our level.

The thing is, we don't really. Possibly for finance because we're a bit of a tax haven, but same applies to the Caymans, Luxembourg, Malta, Switzerland etc. Switzerland probably "punches above it's weight" far more in finance terms given they're HQ to 2 globally systemically important banks - UBS and Credit Suisse and have a massive financial and banking sector.

Sport and commerce we just don't - we haven't done anything particularly special in either. But it's not just us, lots of small countries tell themselves that they "punch above their weight". Even the UK does be at it...

whisky_galore

joe40 wrote: »

The Northern Ireland troubles was world wide news at the time.

There are grown adults now who weren't around or were in nappies at that time.

joe40

Amirani wrote: »

The thing is, we don't really. Possibly for finance because we're a bit of a tax haven, but same applies to the Caymans, Luxembourg, Malta, Switzerland etc. Switzerland probably "punches above it's weight" far more in finance terms given they're HQ to 2 globally systemically important banks - UBS and Credit Suisse and have a massive financial and banking sector.

Sport and commerce we just don't - we haven't done anything particularly special in either. But it's not just us, lots of small countries tell themselves that they "punch above their weight". Even the UK does be at it...

I don't think we punch above our weight as a country in those areas, (probably the opposite) but I think as a country we are "better known" for want of a better term, than similar sized countries even if it is only by the stereotypes.

American culture has worldwide spread and Irish American heritage is fairly important and well known part of American heritage.

Also the Northern Ireland conflict was the only long term conflict of its type in western Europe for a long time. We were in the world news, for all the wrong reasons obviously, but still in the public mind.

Supercell

Works to our advantage for those looking to explore the world through TEFL. Just put down you are from Ireland in the UK, never gets questioned and will put you ahead of others. Pro's and cons!

Mad_maxx

air assault wrote: »

Before anyone says part of Ireland is still part of the UK, I'm aware of that.

I remember watching a video on YouTube where there's an Irish guy from the IDA or some organization like that discussing trade on an American tv show. One of the panelists was totally confused why Ireland used the Euro and Scotland uses the pound. He seemed to be oblivious that we are an independent country.

It seems to crop up now and again. It really annoys me and shows people ignorance. What's everyone's thoughts.....

Here's the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpasQJJF-h0

Joe Kernan is the guy in the bar - opinionated loudmouth member of the morning trio on CNBC

the anti intellectual republican foil to jewish liberal Andrew Ross Sorkin , becky quick being the centrist voice of reason , like most american shows of this kind , much of it is an act

Mad_maxx

Deleted User wrote: »

We are an incredibly small country. If you asked people even what continent Papua New Guinea is in, let alone the currency, most people would get it wrong even though they have about twice the population.

talk about a bogus comparison , we are giant in terms of ancestral groups in america , you could have at least used somewhere like Denmark as a comparison

VinLieger

Amirani wrote: »

The thing is, we don't really. Possibly for finance because we're a bit of a tax haven, but same applies to the Caymans, Luxembourg, Malta, Switzerland etc. Switzerland probably "punches above it's weight" far more in finance terms given they're HQ to 2 globally systemically important banks - UBS and Credit Suisse and have a massive financial and banking sector.

Sport and commerce we just don't - we haven't done anything particularly special in either. But it's not just us, lots of small countries tell themselves that they "punch above their weight". Even the UK does be at it...

On a global level we do massively punch above our weight politically though

Theres a really good economist article from last year thats unfortunately pay walled but even the first 2 paragraphs give a an impression about how much soft power we wield which is far more than we should for a country of our size

https://www.economist.com/europe/2020/07/18/how-ireland-gets-its-way

Mad_maxx

VinLieger wrote: »

On a global level we do massively punch above our weight politically though

Theres a really good economist article from last year thats unfortunately pay walled but even the first 2 paragraphs give a an impression about how much soft power we wield which is far more than we should for a country of our size

https://www.economist.com/europe/2020/07/18/how-ireland-gets-its-way

for our size and population , only one nation has more influence in america and thats israel

[Deleted User]

[Deleted User] wrote: »

They are just terminologies? What? So it's perfectly understandable to you if most Irish people incorrectly think the Isle of Man is in the UK, but not if most American people incorrectly think Ireland is in the UK?

We are arguing straw men here. You’ve decided that Irish people think Northern Ireland is in Britain, not the U.K. source.

I have also lived in the US. Most of my Americans friends do indeed know the distinction between Ireland the UK. However, that is obviously a very biased sample. I worked in America as a teacher, and many of my fellow teachers did not know the difference let alone the students.

It does not become a "fact" just because the people you personally knew in America are aware of the distinction.

I didn’t say it was a fact that everybody knows. I keep saying “educated” people. Like the plonker in the op should have been. Educated that is.

Do I expect people in the ghetto to know? No.

By the way people who think Ireland is part of the U.K. both know where Ireland is and the U.K. is, so it’s not the same as not knowing anything about the island. It’s not “do you know where this island in Malaysia is”.

As for Europe the educated classes should know about Brexit and the problems with the Northern Ireland protocol.

If only the British knew before the referendum.

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

We are arguing straw men here. You’ve decided that Irish people think Northern Ireland is in Britain, not the U.K. source. .

If you asked the average Irish person where the Isle of Man, that large island off our coast, is located, most would say it's in the UK or Great Britain, both of which are wrong. So why should we get a free pass for that but America shouldn't for Ireland?

Deleted User wrote: »

I didn’t say it was a fact that everybody knows. I keep saying “educated” people. Like the plonker in the op should have been. Educated that is.

Do I expect people in the ghetto to know? No.

So what do you mean by educated? Do you think the majority of educated people in Ireland know that the Isle of Man is not in the UK?

Mad_maxx

Mad_maxx wrote: »

talk about a bogus comparison , we are giant in terms of ancestral groups in america , you could have at least used somewhere like Denmark as a comparison

Not a bogus comparison. The title and OP's post is general and not just about America. He talks about people's ignorance not just the ignorance of Americans, and my response was to that point which is why I bolded it in my first reply.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

It's annoying when Brits are so ignorant of this, but it's really to be expected further afield. How much do Irish people know about small countries that they don't often deal with?

I blame the Scots and Welsh for much of this misconception. They expect to be treated as real countries despite not being independent. People assume Irish people are similar.

dxhound2005

Mad_maxx wrote: »

talk about a bogus comparison , we are giant in terms of ancestral groups in america , you could have at least used somewhere like Denmark as a comparison

Denmark is a lot bigger than us when you include Greenland. Not a lot of people know that Mexico is in North America. Or maybe they do.

Mad_maxx

Deleted User wrote: »

Not a bogus comparison. The title and OP's post is general and not just about America. He talks about people's ignorance not just the ignorance of Americans, and my response was to that point which is why I bolded it in my first reply.

if you think comparing ireland to papua new guinea in terms of the global influence of the diaspora is valid , there isnt much more i can say

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

How relevant are the disapora really? The guy in the video OP linked claims to be Irish-American.

dxhound2005

Mad_maxx wrote: »

if you think comparing ireland to papua new guinea in terms of the global influence of the diaspora is valid , there isnt much more i can say

But it does bear comparison politically. With half of the territory (which is the second largest island in the word) being part of Indonesia.

Mad_maxx

Mad_maxx wrote: »

if you think comparing ireland to papua new guinea in terms of the global influence of the diaspora is valid , there isnt much more i can say

Papua New Guinea is about twice as populated and about seven times as large. It's much easier for the layman to notice on a map that it is its own country than Ireland. The global influence of Ireland doesn't tell you that it's currently its own country, just that it exists and has been historically significant.

Mad_maxx

Deleted User wrote: »

Papua New Guinea is about twice as populated and about seven times as large. It's much easier for the layman to notice on a map that it is its own country than Ireland. The global influence of Ireland doesn't tell you that it's currently its own country, just that it exists and has been historically significant.

Papua New Guinea is better known abroad than Ireland is


got it :rolleyes:

Mad_maxx

Mad_maxx wrote: »

Papua New Guinea is better known abroad than Ireland is


got it :rolleyes:

That's not what I said at all, but you can believe that if it makes you feel better.

Strumms

there was this muppet I used to work with, he was American, based over in Wyoming ... but on the monthly conference call he would often refer to Ireland and Dublin as being in the UK... “ Strumms, can you and the rest of the UK guys send....”. There were about 120 people globally on this call but one day I felt he ought to be given what his mother and father and school system failed to deliver, an education.....“ Eddie, sorry to have to jump in with a geography lesson here for you but Ireland is NOT part of the UK...and hasn’t been since I think 1922 so...”.

He wasn’t pleased... a guy with a brilliant technical brain but all the social ability and common sense of a constipated gibbon.

easygoing39

My mates has lived in France since 1991.He tell's me that 99% of french people don't know that the Rep of Ireland exists,they think England rule us,in fact some don't see any difference between us and the brits,to them we're all English.And there's no mention on French tv/media about how Brexit has caused any problems/tensions to us here in Ireland with borders etc.Ireland as a country just isn't on their radar.