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How accurate is AH as a reflection of Irish society?
Comments
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Yeah, actually, getting back onto the topic (since I wandered off into pub analogies
), overall, it's pretty decent. It won't have changed a great deal since the last time you were there, and big university cities tend to be fairly accommodating of foreigners since we do attract a lot of foreign students.
There -is- a current xenophobic swing in Europe on a macro-scale, but for individuals it's less of a thing.
The "targets" here tend to be Romanians, Poles, Eastern Europeans in general to a much lesser extent, Middle-Eastern Muslims*, Travellers (who aren't foreign, ofc, but different culture). Out of those, the Eastern European sector doesn't seem to see much problematic behaviour or attitudes, Muslim tension is all over Europe at the moment, but probably a lot less so in Ireland than in other places such as France or the UK** and Traveller tension has always been there. I assume by your saying you're in Kigali that you're Rwandan yourself. Ireland, oddly enough, has had links with Rwanda over the past twenty years or so and I certainly know of no commonly spouted (or spouted at all) Rwandan stereotypes, which is usually a good indicator of general feeling.
The biggest cultural clash does tend to be language. If you speak English well and can get along with Irish customs, there really doesn't tend to be issues. There is a religious clash going on at the moment, but that's pretty internal (Catholicism/secularism). If you enjoyed it here, welcome back, in short :P
*A lot of people don't seem entirely aware that anyone but Middle East/Turkey is Muslim!
** Actually, a question since you're here! I know Rwanda is predominantly Christian, but is there Islamic tension there too? We really don't get much news from Africa as a whole and it tends to be a bit lumped in together as "Africa" rather than individual countries and cultures, so mostly I'm working off a Eurocentric/American view!0 -
Yeah, actually, getting back onto the topic (since I wandered off into pub analogies), overall, it's pretty decent. It won't have changed a great deal since the last time you were there, and big university cities tend to be fairly accommodating of foreigners since we do attract a lot of foreign students.
There -is- a current xenophobic swing in Europe on a macro-scale, but for individuals it's less of a thing.
The "targets" here tend to be Romanians, Poles, Eastern Europeans in general to a much lesser extent, Middle-Eastern Muslims*, Travellers (who aren't foreign, ofc, but different culture). Out of those, the Eastern European sector doesn't seem to see much problematic behaviour or attitudes, Muslim tension is all over Europe at the moment, but probably a lot less so in Ireland than in other places such as France or the UK** and Traveller tension has always been there. I assume by your saying you're in Kigali that you're Rwandan yourself. Ireland, oddly enough, has had links with Rwanda over the past twenty years or so and I certainly know of no commonly spouted (or spouted at all) Rwandan stereotypes, which is usually a good indicator of general feeling.
The biggest cultural clash does tend to be language. If you speak English well and can get along with Irish customs, there really doesn't tend to be issues. There is a religious clash going on at the moment, but that's pretty internal (Catholicism/secularism). If you enjoyed it here, welcome back, in short :P
*A lot of people don't seem entirely aware that anyone but Middle East/Turkey is Muslim!
** Actually, a question since you're here! I know Rwanda is predominantly Christian, but is there Islamic tension there too? We really don't get much news from Africa as a whole and it tends to be a bit lumped in together as "Africa" rather than individual countries and cultures, so mostly I'm working off a Eurocentric/American view!
No, there's no Islamic tension in Rwanda. The Muslims make up about 5 percent of the population and are moderate I think. I rarely hear anything about them which I figure is a good thing. If anything, I'd say they are respected, having been the only religion whose representatives saved people during the genocide unlike most of the representatives of the Catholic church, who not only did nothing to help but also actively killed and help others kill.0 -
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Yeah, actually, getting back onto the topic (since I wandered off into pub analogies), overall, it's pretty decent. It won't have changed a great deal since the last time you were there, and big university cities tend to be fairly accommodating of foreigners since we do attract a lot of foreign students.
There -is- a current xenophobic swing in Europe on a macro-scale, but for individuals it's less of a thing.
The "targets" here tend to be Romanians, Poles, Eastern Europeans in general to a much lesser extent, Middle-Eastern Muslims*, Travellers (who aren't foreign, ofc, but different culture). Out of those, the Eastern European sector doesn't seem to see much problematic behaviour or attitudes, Muslim tension is all over Europe at the moment, but probably a lot less so in Ireland than in other places such as France or the UK** and Traveller tension has always been there. I assume by your saying you're in Kigali that you're Rwandan yourself. Ireland, oddly enough, has had links with Rwanda over the past twenty years or so and I certainly know of no commonly spouted (or spouted at all) Rwandan stereotypes, which is usually a good indicator of general feeling.
The biggest cultural clash does tend to be language. If you speak English well and can get along with Irish customs, there really doesn't tend to be issues. There is a religious clash going on at the moment, but that's pretty internal (Catholicism/secularism). If you enjoyed it here, welcome back, in short :P
*A lot of people don't seem entirely aware that anyone but Middle East/Turkey is Muslim!
** Actually, a question since you're here! I know Rwanda is predominantly Christian, but is there Islamic tension there too? We really don't get much news from Africa as a whole and it tends to be a bit lumped in together as "Africa" rather than individual countries and cultures, so mostly I'm working off a Eurocentric/American view!
I lived in Tanzania which has Christians, Muslims, Hindu and Bantu religion all living alongside each other. Up until recently there was little or no tension. There does seem to be growing tension on the island of Zanzibaar though.0 -
Yeah, actually, getting back onto the topic (since I wandered off into pub analogies), overall, it's pretty decent. It won't have changed a great deal since the last time you were there, and big university cities tend to be fairly accommodating of foreigners since we do attract a lot of foreign students.
There -is- a current xenophobic swing in Europe on a macro-scale, but for individuals it's less of a thing.
The "targets" here tend to be Romanians, Poles, Eastern Europeans in general to a much lesser extent, Middle-Eastern Muslims*, Travellers (who aren't foreign, ofc, but different culture). Out of those, the Eastern European sector doesn't seem to see much problematic behaviour or attitudes, Muslim tension is all over Europe at the moment, but probably a lot less so in Ireland than in other places such as France or the UK** and Traveller tension has always been there. I assume by your saying you're in Kigali that you're Rwandan yourself. Ireland, oddly enough, has had links with Rwanda over the past twenty years or so and I certainly know of no commonly spouted (or spouted at all) Rwandan stereotypes, which is usually a good indicator of general feeling.
The biggest cultural clash does tend to be language. If you speak English well and can get along with Irish customs, there really doesn't tend to be issues. There is a religious clash going on at the moment, but that's pretty internal (Catholicism/secularism). If you enjoyed it here, welcome back, in short :P
*A lot of people don't seem entirely aware that anyone but Middle East/Turkey is Muslim!
** Actually, a question since you're here! I know Rwanda is predominantly Christian, but is there Islamic tension there too? We really don't get much news from Africa as a whole and it tends to be a bit lumped in together as "Africa" rather than individual countries and cultures, so mostly I'm working off a Eurocentric/American view!
No, there's no Islamic tension in Rwanda. The Muslims make up about 5 percent of the population and are moderate I think. I rarely hear anything about them which I figure is a good thing. If anything, I'd say they are respected, having been the only religion whose representatives saved people - whatever their religion - during the genocide unlike most of the representatives of the Catholic church (to which most of the population subscribes), who not only did nothing to help but also actively killed and help others kill.0 -
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Yeah, I've heard about the growing tension in Zanzibar. Mores the pity since tourism is one of their main sources of revenue.steddyeddy wrote: »Yeah, actually, getting back onto the topic (since I wandered off into pub analogies), overall, it's pretty decent. It won't have changed a great deal since the last time you were there, and big university cities tend to be fairly accommodating of foreigners since we do attract a lot of foreign students.
There -is- a current xenophobic swing in Europe on a macro-scale, but for individuals it's less of a thing.
The "targets" here tend to be Romanians, Poles, Eastern Europeans in general to a much lesser extent, Middle-Eastern Muslims*, Travellers (who aren't foreign, ofc, but different culture). Out of those, the Eastern European sector doesn't seem to see much problematic behaviour or attitudes, Muslim tension is all over Europe at the moment, but probably a lot less so in Ireland than in other places such as France or the UK** and Traveller tension has always been there. I assume by your saying you're in Kigali that you're Rwandan yourself. Ireland, oddly enough, has had links with Rwanda over the past twenty years or so and I certainly know of no commonly spouted (or spouted at all) Rwandan stereotypes, which is usually a good indicator of general feeling.
The biggest cultural clash does tend to be language. If you speak English well and can get along with Irish customs, there really doesn't tend to be issues. There is a religious clash going on at the moment, but that's pretty internal (Catholicism/secularism). If you enjoyed it here, welcome back, in short :P
*A lot of people don't seem entirely aware that anyone but Middle East/Turkey is Muslim!
** Actually, a question since you're here! I know Rwanda is predominantly Christian, but is there Islamic tension there too? We really don't get much news from Africa as a whole and it tends to be a bit lumped in together as "Africa" rather than individual countries and cultures, so mostly I'm working off a Eurocentric/American view!
I lived in Tanzania which has Christians, Muslims, Hindu and Bantu religion all living alongside each other. Up until recently there was little or no tension. There does seem to be growing tension on the island of Zanzibaar though.
PS: Is anyone else having trouble with the editing?0 -
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OP, the simple fact this very thread ended up with a discussion about Zanzibar, should tell you
Anyhow, I myself am a foreigner, Italian to be specific; Been living in Ireland for over 7 years now, 6 of which in Cork, now I'm in Dublin.
I can't say I have ever experienced any real issues, and for those familiar with Cork and its insular nature (to some Corkonians a guy from Limerick is already a foreigner), it should tell a lot. Most of the times, I do get quite the opposite - people showing quite a bit of interest about my background, Italy and the likes.
It has to be said I already had a good level of English the day I set foot in Ireland and a fairly "global" vision - compared to most Italians, for example, I would get jokes in English and be aware of cultural references to American/British or generally English-speaking TV shows, novels, movies and such.
Dublin is effectively a cosmopolitan environment, if you don't make the mistake that many foreigners (especially Italian and Spanish) commit of locking themselves into communities, you'll be absolutely fine.
In the end, if the opinions expressed in AH were a mirror of society Ireland would effectively be the Fourth Reich in Celtic sauce, while in reality I've never felt like a foreigner here 0 -
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The Backwards Man wrote: »Unless you plan to spend a lot of time in the parental boxroom bedrooms of socially awkward and pathetically twisted keyboard warriors who blame all their failings on a word they can barely spell, let alone understand what it actually means, then you'll be grand.
I have a double bed in my place. She can stay here0 -
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H3llR4iser wrote: »OP, the simple fact this very thread ended up with a discussion about Zanzibar, should tell you
Anyhow, I myself am a foreigner, Italian to be specific; Been living in Ireland for over 7 years now, 6 of which in Cork, now I'm in Dublin.
I can't say I have ever experienced any real issues, and for those familiar with Cork and its insular nature (to some Corkonians a guy from Limerick is already a foreigner), it should tell a lot. Most of the times, I do get quite the opposite - people showing quite a bit of interest about my background, Italy and the likes.
It has to be said I already had a good level of English the day I set foot in Ireland and a fairly "global" vision - compared to most Italians, for example, I would get jokes in English and be aware of cultural references to American/British or generally English-speaking TV shows, novels, movies and such.
Dublin is effectively a cosmopolitan environment, if you don't make the mistake that many foreigners (especially Italian and Spanish) commit of locking themselves into communities, you'll be absolutely fine.
In the end, if the opinions expressed in AH were a mirror of society Ireland would effectively be the Fourth Reich in Celtic sauce, while in reality I've never felt like a foreigner here
Italians and Irish are first cousins.0 -
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Certainly not any overt racism, OP, in my personal experience. As for the indirect, internalised, covert form that's all vented here on AH. All mouth and no trousers.
We look forward to having you back and don't forget the tae
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