If you see other irish abroad, do you approach?

MadDog76 · 20-11-2016 12:39PM

leggo wrote: »

No.

Thought so! :P

BabyE · 20-11-2016 01:25PM

PANDDDKP wrote: »

No I wouldn't bother unless I had to.

Another things that annoys me is people (my mates included) who head away on holidays and when there head straight to an Irish bar.. Why go abroad to hang out in Irish bars! It's usually a kip with diddily music on in the background! It's embarrassing.

never buy into this, irish bars are a great place to meet locals and normally have top atmosphere. only place I agree wih you is in resorts but in major cities they are great spots

BabyE · 20-11-2016 01:25PM

PANDDDKP wrote: »

No I wouldn't bother unless I had to.

Another things that annoys me is people (my mates included) who head away on holidays and when there head straight to an Irish bar.. Why go abroad to hang out in Irish bars! It's usually a kip with diddily music on in the background! It's embarrassing.

never buy into this, irish bars are a great place to meet locals and normally have top atmosphere. only place I agree wih you is in resorts but in major cities they are great spots

Cortina_MK_IV · 20-11-2016 01:50PM

Cringiest thing ever was sitting having coffee in northeast Thailand and got approached by some old American. He asked me where I was from, told him Ireland and told me there was an Irish couple down the back of the restaurant. He went to get them and brought them out drinks in hand and introduced us. They were mortified, I was mortified. They were young back-packers and I'm sure they were having a nice breakfast and i was enjoying my coffee until he interrupted us. What did he want to us to do talk about the old country, bodhrans and uilleann pipes? So no I wouldn't approach strangers here so why do it abroad?

PANDDDKP · 20-11-2016 02:02PM

BabyE wrote: »

never buy into this, irish bars are a great place to meet locals and normally have top atmosphere. only place I agree wih you is in resorts but in major cities they are great spots

We'll have to agree to disagree, whatever you're into really, but not for me.

leggo · 20-11-2016 02:14PM

Cortina_MK_IV wrote: »

Cringiest thing ever was sitting having coffee in northeast Thailand and got approached by some old American. He asked me where I was from, told him Ireland and told me there was an Irish couple down the back of the restaurant. He went to get them and brought them out drinks in hand and introduced us. They were mortified, I was mortified. They were young back-packers and I'm sure they were having a nice breakfast and i was enjoying my coffee until he interrupted us. What did he want to us to do talk about the old country, bodhrans and uilleann pipes? So no I wouldn't approach strangers here so why do it abroad?

I used to get caught in situations like that with randomers talking the ear off me and disturbing me but I've no time for it anymore. Unless I'm in the mood, if that happened I'd say "Sorry I'm actually alright just having a coffee here by myself" then watch him until he left. If you don't want to have the chats, it's rude of someone to ear rape you. I don't care if he thinks these days are terrible and nobody makes time to talk to strangers anymore, I'm having a moment to myself that I might need and, if I want to talk to someone, I'll use my phone and the wonders of technology to chat to people I've chosen to have in my life.

alexonhisown · 20-11-2016 02:16PM

I would avoid irish abroad unless its in a place where i havent heard another irish voice, eg china, malaysia etc

donegaLroad · 20-11-2016 02:38PM

BabyE wrote: »

More so in places that aren't typical places to find irish(If I see an Irish person in Brooklyn im not going to say anything, if I see them in Des Moines, I defo would approach. Similarly not going to go out of my way in Salou, but today I overheard some Irish lads having coffee in the sun and I made it my business to say whats up.

I met a guy from Derry in a shop in Salou one time in the month of January.. we both had time to kill so I went for a cup of coffee with him and had a very interesting talk for about 2 hours.

I usually always end up in tyhe company of Irish people where ever I travel.. we are a social bunch!

dd972 · 20-11-2016 02:40PM

If they seem to be ok people who just happen to be Irish then yes, if they're ''Oirish'' in the sense of that being the be-all-and-end-all of who they are, I wide berth them, I met some Rugby fans in a pub in Hounslow once after a Twickenham match, a bigger load of w**kers I've rarely met.

Dr Crayfish · 20-11-2016 02:52PM

Love Irish bars, love Celtic jerseys, love singing the Fields of Athenry on the plane on the way over, love getting f**ked up in bars and fights after. We should all stick together.

Das Reich · 20-11-2016 03:07PM

Cortina_MK_IV wrote: »

Cringiest thing ever was sitting having coffee in northeast Thailand and got approached by some old American. He asked me where I was from, told him Ireland and told me there was an Irish couple down the back of the restaurant. He went to get them and brought them out drinks in hand and introduced us. They were mortified, I was mortified. They were young back-packers and I'm sure they were having a nice breakfast and i was enjoying my coffee until he interrupted us. What did he want to us to do talk about the old country, bodhrans and uilleann pipes? So no I wouldn't approach strangers here so why do it abroad?

Similar thing happened to me here in Ireland. At the gym the instructor forced me to met another brazilian, i didnt even know what to say. When people from my country stop me to talk or ask something I just pretend to be from somewhere else and avoid the interaction.

wakka12 · 20-11-2016 03:22PM

It depends. If I was in a country where irish/westerns are uncommon then I would. If I was on a campsite in the North of France where every fourth family is irish then I would be less likely to I would say..

Lawlesz · 20-11-2016 06:32PM

I've lived abroad for the guts of 10 years now in a few different countries. In the beginning I would have approached someone if I heard an Irish accent but the novelty soon wore off, literally within a few months. Met an Irish girl in Canada and turned out I was at school with her sister from back home. Tucked away on the other side of Europe now, in a small town with no other foreigners and it suits me grand. Have often heard Irish accents in the capital here, but wouldn't be arsed to stop and talk any more.

Nothing worse than being thrown together with someone else by virtue of the fact you are both native English speakers and then find you have nothing in common. Have had that happen a few times too

catbear · 20-11-2016 06:43PM

time and place.

Paddys day, sport events I'll seek out an Irish pub but not bothered beyond that. It really is great to top up on the madness if you're working in a society with a low craic quotient.

Actually when I worked in Australia the locals would prefer going to an Irish bar because their local pubs were just toilets that sold beer.

Dr Crayfish · 20-11-2016 08:18PM

I remember sneering Irish backpackers who seemed to be openly avoiding other Irish people when I was in South America. Absolute gobsh*tes. Yet they'd sit there blabbering away to an American.
I'm generally happy to meet anyone at all these days from anywhere!

BabyE · 20-11-2016 10:24PM

So ****ing cringeworthy, I was like that on my "J1", dismissive of irish butnI realise now they are my part of my tribe, we should be more positive to one another, you dont know, even in Brookylyn or London that persons day would be brightened up if you were to take the time out and connect with them. Hearing your own tribe can make you very happy, it works on a tier system.
Your city
Your county
Your country
Brits
Americans
Australians/NZ
Western Europeans
Other

Dr Crayfish · 20-11-2016 10:33PM

BabyE wrote: »

So ****ing cringeworthy, I was like that on my "J1", dismissive of irish butnI realise now they are my part of my tribe, we should be more positive to one another, you dont know, even in Brookylyn or London that persons day would be brightened up if you were to take the time out and connect with them. Hearing your own tribe can make you very happy, it works on a tier system.
Your city
Your county
Your country
Brits
Americans
Australians/NZ
Western Europeans
Other

I think we have way way way more in common with Oz/NZ people than Americans

NickNickleby · 20-11-2016 10:55PM

Generally wouldn't think about it either way. However...

One year I was in Italy with wife and daughter, staying on a campsite near Lake Garda. On day two or three , finally heard English being spoken. Turned out to be an extended family from Portlaoise. Said hello, where you from? Portlaoise, says the Don, then proceeds to make reference to Dubs being scum of the earth, who only go to GAA matches in Croker and couldn't name their county team if their lives depended on it. Naturally I pointed out that most televised matches are from half empty grounds around the country and that the inability to name a county team might not be a specifically Dublin trait. THis went on for a couple of days, so I started avoiding them (they were ALL the same, I kid you not). On the last day, I bumped into the Don again and he wished me well and said no hard feelings, then told me he was a Secretary or something in a GAA club.

Roll on a couple of years. In Dubrovnic late at night with wife. Drunk in a Donegal GAA shirt starts shouting at us "F---ing jackeens. Sell out bastards" and worse.

So, I would tend to avoid GAA shirt wearers while abroad. BTW, I'm not a Dub follower, although I confess to watching the AI matches on telly. Because I enjoy watching GAA on the telly - regardless who's playing.

Nick

20-11-2016 11:02PM

me_right_one wrote: »

Whats with all the GAA hate? If you wouldn't say hello to a person for wearing a GAA jersey, then I think its them who are on the winning side of that particular encounter!

Some of our good citizens experience multiple orgasms by loathing everything irish. Such a silly petty attitude they have really .We are all individuals at the end of the day. We just happen to be from ireland. The GAA jersey stereotype is bizarre and painfully cringey.

Different people with various personalities wear GAA jerseys.

20-11-2016 11:04PM

NickNickleby wrote: »

Generally wouldn't think about it either way. However...

One year I was in Italy with wife and daughter, staying on a campsite near Lake Garda. On day two or three , finally heard English being spoken. Turned out to be an extended family from Portlaoise. Said hello, where you from? Portlaoise, says the Don, then proceeds to make reference to Dubs being scum of the earth, who only go to GAA matches in Croker and couldn't name their county team if their lives depended on it. Naturally I pointed out that most televised matches are from half empty grounds around the country and that the inability to name a county team might not be a specifically Dublin trait. THis went on for a couple of days, so I started avoiding them (they were ALL the same, I kid you not). On the last day, I bumped into the Don again and he wished me well and said no hard feelings, then told me he was a Secretary or something in a GAA club.

Roll on a couple of years. In Dubrovnic late at night with wife. Drunk in a Donegal GAA shirt starts shouting at us "F---ing jackeens. Sell out bastards" and worse.

So, I would tend to avoid GAA shirt wearers while abroad. BTW, I'm not a Dub follower, although I confess to watching the AI matches on telly. Because I enjoy watching GAA on the telly - regardless who's playing.

Nick

Hardly a huge sample size Nick. You were unfortunate, you just bumped into morons

Mister Vain · 20-11-2016 11:07PM

Deleted User wrote: »

We are all individuals at the end of the day.

Indeed. I'll chat to anyone. It can be nice to meet someone from Ireland but I wouldn't go out of my way to do it.

catbear · 20-11-2016 11:22PM

BabyE wrote: »

So ****ing cringeworthy, I was like that on my "J1", dismissive of irish butnI realise now they are my part of my tribe, we should be more positive to one another, you dont know, even in Brookylyn or London that persons day would be brightened up if you were to take the time out and connect with them. Hearing your own tribe can make you very happy, it works on a tier system.
Your city
Your county
Your country
Brits
Americans
Australians/NZ
Western Europeans
Other

My list would be more like
Ireland
NZers
Swedes
Germans
Scots
Polish
Italians

English, Aus and yanks actually tend to be more inward looking, expect for those who've actually travelled outside their country.

NickNickleby · 20-11-2016 11:24PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Hardly a huge sample size Nick. You were unfortunate, you just bumped into morons

Hahaha, T_G. Yep you're spot on there. I've no doubt that I've deprived myself of some good friendly conversations. Most of the time, if you meet someone from Ireland while abroad, your county won't matter a damn.

Here's one for you,
My son used to live in a very small city in northern Japan. One evening he spied a Westerner outside the bar he was in. The Westerner walked on after perusing the menu in the window. The bar man said (in Japanese) "hey, there's another Irishman in town!" Big Laugh. Then the guy comes back, enters and asks for "English Menu" . Barman turns round and says here's one, pointing to my son, the only English speaker in the bar. Son asks where you from? Turns out to be a Cork student doctor on year out. Had chosen this region to get away from Western influence in Japan.

Nick

wakka12 · 21-11-2016 12:27AM

Das Reich wrote: »

Similar thing happened to me here in Ireland. At the gym the instructor forced me to met another brazilian, i didnt even know what to say. When people from my country stop me to talk or ask something I just pretend to be from somewhere else and avoid the interaction.

How do they know you're brazilian? Most brazilians Ive met wouldnt stand out from a lot of Southern Europeans or other South americans

dwayneshintzy · 21-11-2016 12:37AM

Out in Hong Kong, if I hear an Irish accent I'll usually say hello yes.

I've bumped into three people from Letterkenny just out and about in HK.

21-11-2016 01:07AM

The flying mouse wrote: »

And why would you change your accent because of what other people wear ?

Almost certainly because they are the usual Irish-hating idiots and this is par for the course?

thelad95 · 21-11-2016 01:16AM

I'm currently on Erasmus in Prague, not exactly an Irish heavy city so probably does fit the OPs criteria. Of course, when I'm in nightclubs and I meet other Irish students we will chat like we're long lost best friends or something because we're both pissed, a little bit home sick and generally just happy to hear another Irish accent.

Waiting for public transport and stuff, I've heard Irish accents and just can't be arsed to be brutally honest, I probably have nothing in common with them apart from nationality and I always think I'll look a bit sad if I just randomly approach them so I don't bother.

Similarly, since I've arrived here I've been at the airport once or twice to meet people coming to visit and of course in the arrivals hall there's a small scattering of Irish accents naturally and I most definitely can't be arsed in this case because they're often meeting friends for a stag do or something so are often a few beers in already and I just can't be bothered.

Also, if I hear jackeen accents abroad, they can definitely shag off. I was visiting my girlfriends brother in Sydney during the summer and we made the gamble of going to an Irish bar too watch the Ireland-Belgium game and we got chatting to a group of lads from Tallaght who had just moved over a few months previous. Despite being in a metropolitan city on the other side of the planet, they still saw us as nothing more than culchies and did nothing but make fun of our accents for the whole game like that's funny for a few minutes but after a while, we just couldn't be bothered, yes we share a nationality but why should we listen to their crap when they most definitely wouldn't give us the light of day back in Ireland.

So, really it depends, a lot of the time I just wouldn't be arsed and anytime I've seen Irish people approach each other in foreign countries or get coerced together as in the earlier example with the American in the restaurant, it's just bloody cringey because chances are apart from nationality you'll have feck all in common.

el diablo · 21-11-2016 01:33AM

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

Love Irish bars, love Celtic jerseys, love singing the Fields of Athenry on the plane on the way over, love getting f**ked up in bars and fights after. We should all stick together.

You're the kind of person I'd cross the street from if I spotted you overseas.

aabarnes1 · 21-11-2016 01:35AM

I have travelled extensively world wide, and have had the opportunity to work in France, Germany and Spain. In my experience, and I can only speak for myself, when I was travelling around India, Malaysia and Indonesia a good few years back, it was always nice to hear a familiar accent when you are in the arse hole of no where. Be it Liverpool Limerick or Letterkenny. I did discover that every where I travelled to, there was always a healthy helping of Irish, Brits and Ozzies all willing to help each other and offer advice. Again, this was nice.
Fast forward to my annual two weeks away with the wife, if I see a GAA jersey, hear a 'Howeya' or listen to a tattooed cockney skinhead, I avoid like the plague at all costs. I couldn't be arsed with all the, ' what part of Dublin are you from' , 'do know Paddy Keogh' or the usual do you think we'll win it this year. Feck off! I'm on me holidays abroad, tryin to forget that sh1te.
And as for Grumpy Nellys or O'Driscolls in the sun- don't get me started.............

The_Captain · 21-11-2016 10:06AM

Deleted User wrote: »

Some of our good citizens experience multiple orgasms by loathing everything irish. Such a silly petty attitude they have really .We are all individuals at the end of the day. We just happen to be from ireland. The GAA jersey stereotype is bizarre and painfully cringey. Different people with various personalities wear GAA jerseys.

They define themselves by their county and everything comes back to it sooner or later. They'll tell you what county they're from, they'll tell you how they feel about people from your county, they wear the county colours, they put their county in their user name when signing up for boards, all that sort of nonsense

If you see other irish abroad, do you approach?

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