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Why can't we as Irish people behave ourselves? Or can we?

  • 27-04-2017 12:16PM
    #1
    Dr Crayfish
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,960 ✭✭✭


    Do we ever hold street parties like they do in other countries? I know we don't in Dublin but perhaps elsewhere? I was chatting with my Dutch friend just now and he's celebrating Kingsday, which is an enormous party in cities in Holland were hundreds of thousands come out on the streets to drink beer and dance. I went a few years ago and it's amazing fun, little bars pop up on the streets and people bring out decks and play music etc.
    I was in London during the Wills and Kate wedding and everyone set up street parties. One area had lots of bbqs making jerk chicken and lots of people set up stalls and people were drinking etc. There's also the Notting Hill Carnival and other big parties like this, really great events. Now you usually get a stabbing or two at the Carnival but it's rival gangs that would probably stab each other anyway, but not much trouble at all given something like a million people visit it.
    Compare this to Ireland where you can't even buy a beer till 5pm on St Patricks day. It's no fun at all. I know we don't have great weather but it shouldn't stop everything.
    People will probably say we'd all get too drunk and start rioting etc, which may be true, but why is that? Why do the Garda have to crack down on everything that's fun? Are we really that bad or are we just told we're that bad by the authorities? Is there something inherently wrong with us as a people that we can't behave ourselves? The English aren't that different and they seem to get by ok with these things.
    It's a bit of a shame we can't come together and do these things and have a bit of pride and togetherness.


«13

Comments

  • #2
    Parchment
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,203 ✭✭✭Parchment


    Too many scummers.


  • #3
    Dr Crayfish
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,960 ✭✭✭Dr Crayfish


    Parchment wrote: »
    Too many scummers.

    Why is that? Are we failing as a society? We must be.


  • #4
    Shenshen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,453 ✭✭✭Shenshen


    Nobody willing to organise it, is my guess.


  • #5
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 19,174 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    You seem to equate drinking with having fun.
    No fun without drink.
    Maybe that's the problem?


  • #6
    Parchment
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,203 ✭✭✭Parchment


    Dr Crayfish wrote: »
    Why is that? Are we failing as a society? We must be.


    I really dont know. I see stark differences when i go abroad - sure other countries have problems but like you said, they can go about their days without drama generally.


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  • #7
    Dr Crayfish
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,960 ✭✭✭Dr Crayfish


    Shenshen wrote: »
    Nobody willing to organise it, is my guess.

    Well we do have St Patricks day but they pretty much need to have riot police on the streets. It's absolutely awful, the Paddy's day thing, I don't know anyone who looks forward to it or wants to go into town.

    You're German, you have Oktoberfest and Love Parade etc, things that could never happen here.


  • #8
    Dr Crayfish
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,960 ✭✭✭Dr Crayfish


    bubblypop wrote: »
    You seem to equate drinking with having fun.
    No fun without drink.
    Maybe that's the problem?

    Most European parties involve drinking, yes.


  • #9
    Winterlong
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,759 ✭✭✭Winterlong


    I was at queens day myself in amsterdam a few years go. It is a great day out. Big community thing going on. You are right OP, it is a pity we cant have that type thing here....We need to crown a High King/Queen of ireland and celebrate him/her!


  • #10
    Dr Crayfish
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,960 ✭✭✭Dr Crayfish


    Winterlong wrote: »
    I was at queens day myself in amsterdam a few years go. It is a great day out. Big community thing going on. You are right OP, it is a pity we cant have that type thing here....We need to crown a High King/Queen of ireland and celebrate him/her!

    Yeah it's the community and spirit of it all. They seem to have this pride in their country that we don't have, unless angry men in Celtic jerseys at Wolfe Tone's concerts counts :(


  • #11
    flazio
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,226 ✭✭✭✭flazio


    Maybe not in Dublin, but in places like The Spanish Arch in Galway it's all go.
    Problem with events like this is the sue culture surrounding it, you'd have to hire the local Civil Defence or similar to provide ambulance cover, security guards which are expensive and Gardaí who would probably prefer to be doing other things.

    This too shall pass.



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  • #12
    Barry Badrinath
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭Barry Badrinath


    So because we dont have 'street parties' you think its because we are rowdy?


  • #13
    Mrs OBumble
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,086 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    Too much low level fetal alcohol damage in the population.


  • #14
    Balmed Out
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,710 ✭✭✭Balmed Out


    There should be exceptions to the no drinking on the street for certain festivals within reason. I remember being in Galway for Halloween a few years ago and everyone was drinking on the street at night, Guards were very visible and there wasnt any trouble.


  • #15
    Dr Crayfish
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,960 ✭✭✭Dr Crayfish


    Senor Fancy Pants wrote: »
    So because we dont have 'street parties' you think its because we are rowdy?

    Well I don't know, I'm just wondering why large gatherings of people don't seem to end well. I was living abroad at the time during the hot summer a few years ago, but riots broke out on Portmarnock beach and in Howth. A bit of sunny weather and it descends into chaos. What's wrong with us?


  • #16
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 19,174 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Dr Crayfish wrote: »
    Most European parties involve drinking, yes.

    There maybe drink at them but it's not the important part.
    You seem to think not having drink means we can't have fun.
    No drink till 5pm on paddys day, equals no fun.
    Gardai stopping people having fun, again drink related.
    I say that's the problem, the belief that we can't have fun without drink.


  • #17
    Pinch Flat
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,779 ✭✭✭Pinch Flat


    Ireland is a socially immature country with a huge cohort of scumbags. Lack of personal responsibility, respect for civic surroundings, other people and their property coupled with a self-centered and generally "me,me,me" attitude means we're way behind other countries when it comes to these things


  • #18
    Dr Crayfish
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,960 ✭✭✭Dr Crayfish


    bubblypop wrote: »
    I say that's the problem, the belief that we can't have fun without drink.

    You seem to think we're alone in this. In Germany and Holland and England they drink too you know. I like a drink and I never cause any trouble.


  • #19
    Dr Crayfish
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,960 ✭✭✭Dr Crayfish


    Pinch Flat wrote: »
    Ireland is a socially immature country with a huge cohort of scumbags. Lack of personal responsibility, respect for civic surroundings, other people and their property coupled with a self-centered and generally "me,me,me" attitude means we're way behind other countries when it comes to these things

    Why did this happen though? Is it some post colonial insecurity or something?


  • #20
    kunst nugget
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭kunst nugget


    Dr Crayfish wrote: »
    Compare this to Ireland where you can't even buy a beer till 5pm on St Patricks day. It's no fun at all.

    :confused: Where does this happen. Never had hassle getting a pint during the day on Paddy's Day.


  • #21
    Conor Bourke
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 17,426 ✭✭✭✭Conor Bourke


    Dr Crayfish wrote: »
    Do we ever hold street parties like they do in other countries? I know we don't in Dublin but perhaps elsewhere? I was chatting with my Dutch friend just now and he's celebrating Kingsday, which is an enormous party in cities in Holland were hundreds of thousands come out on the streets to drink beer and dance. I went a few years ago and it's amazing fun, little bars pop up on the streets and people bring out decks and play music etc.
    I was in London during the Wills and Kate wedding and everyone set up street parties. One area had lots of bbqs making jerk chicken and lots of people set up stalls and people were drinking etc. There's also the Notting Hill Carnival and other big parties like this, really great events. Now you usually get a stabbing or two at the Carnival but it's rival gangs that would probably stab each other anyway, but not much trouble at all given something like a million people visit it.
    Compare this to Ireland where you can't even buy a beer till 5pm on St Patricks day. It's no fun at all. I know we don't have great weather but it shouldn't stop everything.
    People will probably say we'd all get too drunk and start rioting etc, which may be true, but why is that? Why do the Garda have to crack down on everything that's fun? Are we really that bad or are we just told we're that bad by the authorities? Is there something inherently wrong with us as a people that we can't behave ourselves? The English aren't that different and they seem to get by ok with these things.
    It's a bit of a shame we can't come together and do these things and have a bit of pride and togetherness.

    My home town held Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann two years in a row recently and it was pretty much exactly as you described in U.K. and Holland. For a week in August the town transformed into a massive party. People had a great time singing, dancing, chatting, eating, drinking, mingling from morning til night. It was an absolute pleasure. Pop up bars, shops and street-food vendors opened temporarily in disused buildings, the atmosphere was almost like a dream. I've been to the fleadh other years and witnessed more of the same. Of course there was some public order issues but nothing on any dramatic scale or that took from the overall enjoyment of the week.

    The fleadh probably isn't hip enough for many people but I would highly recommend it. People of every age go to it.


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  • #22
    Dr Crayfish
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,960 ✭✭✭Dr Crayfish


    Cornelius Crow wrote: »
    My home town held Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann two years in a row recently and it was pretty much exactly as you described. For a week in August the town transformed into a massive party. People had a great time singing, dancing, chatting, eating, drinking, mingling. It was an absolute pleasure. Pop up bars, shops and street-food vendors opened temporarily in disused buildings, the atmosphere was almost like a dream. I've been to the fleadh other years and witnessed more of the same. Of course there was some public order issues but nothing on any dramatic scale or that took from the overall enjoyment of the week.

    The fleadh probably isn't hip enough for many people but I would highly recommend it. People of every age go to it.

    That sounds great, nice to hear it doesn't always end in tears!


  • #23
    Dr Crayfish
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,960 ✭✭✭Dr Crayfish


    kunst nugget wrote: »
    :confused: Where does this happen. Never had hassle getting a pint during the day on Paddy's Day.

    I meant off licences, I'm pretty sure they close till 5


  • #24
    kunst nugget
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭kunst nugget


    Dr Crayfish wrote: »
    I meant off licences, I'm pretty sure they close till 5

    An off licence not opening until 5 is doing that off their own back. Paddy's Day is a bank holiday so normal Sunday times would apply to it.


  • #25
    Barry Badrinath
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭Barry Badrinath


    Dr Crayfish wrote: »
    Well I don't know, I'm just wondering why large gatherings of people don't seem to end well. I was living abroad at the time during the hot summer a few years ago, but riots broke out on Portmarnock beach and in Howth. A bit of sunny weather and it descends into chaos. What's wrong with us?

    Is that not the exception rather than the rule? It was a bunch of fcuktard kids as far as I remember.

    The gimmick that was Arthurs Day led to Dublin being packed full of street drinkers. I didnt see much hassle that I can recall. Much like most St.Paddy's Day's

    Previous events in Iveagh Gardens have been the same.

    I dont think its an "us" thing either. Im sure any large scale drinking session worldwide could kick off with a few drunk ***** just the same as in Ireland.

    Just because there is an absence of something, it doesnt always mean its at the cause of something else.

    Thats like saying "why doesnt Ireland celebrate a Mango festival? Ah its because we dont have licourice farm"......exactly.

    What is it you want from this thread?

    .Is it another chance to self loathe and as a nation, put ourselves down?

    . Is it a chance to highlight and crib about social issues that we have no will to attempt to fix but just want to vent.

    . Is it just to compare ourself against other nations just to highlight how "backwards, depressed, repressed and socially fcuked we are?

    I dont think we need another thread where the core theme is "Ireland is sh1t"......its what we all make of it.


  • #26
    Dr Crayfish
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,960 ✭✭✭Dr Crayfish


    kunst nugget wrote: »
    An off licence not opening until 5 is doing that off their own back. Paddy's Day is a bank holiday so normal Sunday times would apply to it.

    Ok I got it wrong but...
    FIANNA FÁIL COUNCILLOR Mary Fitzpatrick has today called on Dublin off licences to “follow the example” of those located in the north inner city and not sell alcohol before 4pm on St Patrick’s Day.
    For the last few years, under a voluntary code, off licences in the north inner city have agreed with gardaí not to sell alcohol before that time. Fitzpatrick said she welcomed the fact that off licences in the Cabra area have decided to follow suit this year.


  • #27
    kunst nugget
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭kunst nugget


    Dr Crayfish wrote: »
    That sounds great, nice to hear it doesn't always end in tears!

    Lots of events all around the country pass off like this with little incident throughout the year. Dublin I think has always been a bad buzz when it comes to Paddy's Day and the less said about Arthur's Day, the better…


  • #28
    A Little Pony
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,875 ✭✭✭A Little Pony


    Seems obvious, no responsibility, you owe me a living type mentality.


  • #29
    Conor Bourke
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 17,426 ✭✭✭✭Conor Bourke


    Dr Crayfish wrote: »
    That sounds great, nice to hear it doesn't always end in tears!

    It's an amazing week. A lot of people travel from all over the world to come to it, as well as from the four corners of this country. Many people camp, and some people even rent out their whole house for the week to musicians/visitors. When we had the Fleadh in the 90s I remember people rocking up to our front door to ask if they could camp in our fields, it was so exciting to us kids! The next year my parents were more organised and packed us off to our auntie and uncle down the road at night while they ran an impromptu B&B! Things are a bit more organised now from the camping point of view at least, in that the fleadh organisers try to create designated pop-up camp sites and caravan/camper bases with proper facilities and car parks all in fields etc outside the town, with shuttle busses in.

    I invited friends came over from the UK in 2014 for it and they were impressed at how enjoyable the whole thing was. Didn't get to go last year but hope to make the trip to Ennis this summer for at least one night.


  • #30
    pilly
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 9,005 ✭✭✭pilly


    Used to be street parties in my area when I was younger, they were great.


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  • #31
    Dr Crayfish
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,960 ✭✭✭Dr Crayfish


    Senor Fancy Pants wrote: »
    I dont think we need another thread where the core theme is "Ireland is sh1t"......its what we all make of it.

    I don't think it's sh*t at all, I just wonder why we seem to lack the togetherness and pride of other countries. It's a great place to live but there's not a lot of civic pride, even compared to London, from my experience of having lived there.


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