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"The English are no craic"

completedit

Anyone see that interview with Donnacha O'Callaghan. He says they're polite and nice but "no craic". Is this an example of Ireland exceptionalism? I wouldn't call what English do when they go to football tournaments "having the craic" but it's not like they're all stuffy posh types. Of course, when he means having the craic he might mean something else. I do actually think it's a uniquely Irish thing. It's not like other countries aren't fun(Spanish I'd say are more extroverted and outgoing than Irish) but the craic is different. It's actually innocent enough messing combined with a self-awareness. There's gob****es who think they're great craic when really they're just ***** but I do think we have a unique sense of humour and happy go lucky attitude. Again, it's not like all Irish people are funny but it's like we have a national light hearted mentality.

What do you think?

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[Deleted User]

MPFGLB wrote: »

Also maybe not judge the British by the British press who most people abhor
And contrary to stories on here the British I know love the Irish as I am often told ...we are seen as fun loving , warm and unburdened ..if only they knew

I often remember something that was said by that great philosopher of human relations, Imelda May, when the President went to England. She announced that we were allowed to like the English now 'but secretly, we've been liking one another for years'.

I think it's great that we can look at each other as friends as well as neighbours. I remember as a kid failing to understand why the Swedes didn't hate the Norwegians, and the French don't hate the Germans. It seemed expected that you should dislike your neighbours -- and I have a mum who grew up in the UK, we weren't even the slightest bit republican.

Lots of us make British jokes, but they're not intended to offend or hurt. I cringe when I read serious, vicious insults against the Brits. That's how you should feel about insults agin your neighbours and friends, it transpires.

partyguinness

MPFGLB wrote: »

Having grown up and gone to college in the west of Ireland , lived in Dublin for 4 years and now in London for some years I constantly ponder the traits and differences between the people

I like I can go home to the west of Ireland and have a great night of craic with many people I don’t know including unplanned nights of innocent fun till morning doing silly stuff like brush dancing or singing songs where everyone joins in. Nights like this can be great fun .There is almost an unwritten rule that people who are miserable bastards in the cold light of day are in the pub for craic and fun. One thing I noticed when I first went to London is how quiet th pubs are with roughly the same number of people ..Irish people do love to talk…even if its about nothing in general..in fact they prefer if its about nothing in general
But it is true that a lot of Irish people who love this drinking craic behaviour can be very stand offish and insular in the cold light of day. Its almost like that having the craic gives them permission to be child like and unburdened

I found in Dublin aot of people who were very quick and funny but a good few smart asses. However they too liked to let their hair down and have craic

English people I know from north and south do not tend to spend time talking gibberish in the pubs and are not as spontaneous and as inclusive in this setting

However the British imo have the best sense of humour in the world and they tend to prefer more serious and witty conversations. They usually don’t take the piss as much as the Irish

But what I will say the British are more honest and though harder to get to know and not as inclusive as the Irish they make for deeper and more honest friendships

Also maybe not judge the British by the British press who most people abhor
And contrary to stories on here the British I know love the Irish as I am often told ...we are seen as fun loving , warm and unburdened ..if only they knew

I suppose you can add that the pub is not as central to UK social intercations as it is in Ireland.

One big difference I have found is that the English do not go out of their way to make a new person feel welcome or to bring the new person into their social circle. Yes they are polite and couteous but good luck breaking into their social circle of existing buddies. Where I grew up if there was a new person in the area you went out of your way to chat and get to know them and to make them feel welcome. Out for a few drinks and sure by the end of the night your invitng them to your wedding and all sorts.

I have stood like a melon where lads have gone off to the pub and they have just said 'Bye'- no invite. Where I would not dream of doing that back in Ireland. Maybe it's just me.

I have had our neighbours who we are pally with throw all singing all dancing B&Qs next door to us on a Saturday and just looked over the fence and said Hello. Not so much as an invite- I am sorry but that it just rude but then they are chatting to us the next day like we are the best of pals. Weird.

I am pally with a few Asians (second generation Indian) through work and they have the same gripes with the 'English' (as in white).

MPFGLB

Having grown up and gone to college in the west of Ireland , lived in Dublin for 4 years and now in London for some years I constantly ponder the traits and differences between the people

I like I can go home to the west of Ireland and have a great night of craic with many people I don’t know including unplanned nights of innocent fun till morning doing silly stuff like brush dancing or singing songs where everyone joins in. Nights like this can be great fun .There is almost an unwritten rule that people who are miserable bastards in the cold light of day are in the pub for craic and fun. One thing I noticed when I first went to London is how quiet th pubs are with roughly the same number of people ..Irish people do love to talk…even if its about nothing in general..in fact they prefer if its about nothing in general
But it is true that a lot of Irish people who love this drinking craic behaviour can be very stand offish and insular in the cold light of day. Its almost like that having the craic gives them permission to be child like and unburdened

I found in Dublin alot of people who were very quick and funny but a good few smart asses. However they too liked to let their hair down and have craic

English people I know from north and south do not tend to spend time talking gibberish in the pubs and are not as spontaneous and as inclusive in this setting

However the British imo have the best sense of humour in the world and they tend to prefer more serious and witty conversations. They usually don’t take the piss as much as the Irish

But what I will say the British are more honest and though harder to get to know and not as inclusive as the Irish they make for deeper and more honest friendships

Also maybe not judge the British by the British press who most people abhor
And contrary to stories on here the British I know love the Irish as I am often told ...we are seen as fun loving , warm and unburdened ..if only they knew

partyguinness

cgcsb wrote: »

That's bullying. They'd be sacked if she were Indian.

I don't think the arrogance is a former colony thing, they view themselves as superior to everyone regardless of where else in the world they are from. Same attitude is prevalent in France. The French and English like to talk about how different they are to eachother but really they are a hop skip and jump. The superiority complex permeates all levels of society. I'll give you an example, the plastic bag tax. They agonised over this policy for years, report after report, never once acknowledging their neighbours had this system for years and it worked well. They just like everything they do is for the first time in the world, same with Boris Bikes and all that.

The opposite is the case in Ireland whenever a new project or policy is discussed the first port of call is how our neighbours tackle the same issue.

Exactly. They go on about the plastic bag tax and pub smoking ban as if they were the first in the world to come up with it (neither was Ireland for that matter).

Some sections of the media cannot bring themselves to acknowledge any Irish success.

I recall an article a few years in the Metro about Saorise Ronan. I am not joking she was described as:

"New York born London based actress"- not one solitary mention of Ireland. They just could not bring themselves to acknowledge she was Irish.

Loads of examples like this over the years. My English wife thought I was just being paranoid for ages but after awhile she actually began to see the bias.

partyguinness

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

I think the English can be quite condescending towards us Irish, particularly in London. Maybe it’s a “former colony” type of arrogance. I’m not sure what their history syllabus is like but I’d highly doubt they are the bad guys in it.

They tend to make fun of how we speak, constantly repeating “grand” or saying “tree” for how we say “three” thinking it’s hilarious.

I know a girl working for a big financial institution over there and gave her the nickname “Potato”. Now this isn’t some dumpy stout girl, she’d be a very attractive, slim lady so it’s not to do with her appearance. That could be misconstrued as a reference to the famine, which she thought it was, but I’m not sure they have too much knowledge of that.

She should not put up with that- the Irish can be too tame when it comes to that nonsense. No Asian would put up with that but yet your buddy does which is why they keep it up.

Anytime someone has hinted at that **** in my presence has got it back with both barrels and with interest and never heard from again.

The English like that have big mouths but you bite back they turn into little puppies and run off.

cgcsb

road_high wrote: »

There’s a lot of Irish I’d describe as having “no manners” and it cuts across all classes and age groups. Years ago I worked for a summer in an Agri diy supplies and the ignorance was just incredible- older Irish men in particular are the most miserable, ungrateful mean people you could find. And never wanted to pay for anything- the most polite customers- a group of Irish travelers that came in for horse stuff!!
I don’t know what it’s like now, but past generations really missed out on basic manners and etiquette. Reckon a lot of these people most have been favored by the church/teachers and escaped all manners lessons.
Generally find continental Europeans and Americans so polite in comparison to many of us

I think that's grumpy old man syndrome and is international.

cgcsb

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

I think the English can be quite condescending towards us Irish, particularly in London. Maybe it’s a “former colony” type of arrogance. I’m not sure what their history syllabus is like but I’d highly doubt they are the bad guys in it.

They tend to make fun of how we speak, constantly repeating “grand” or saying “tree” for how we say “three” thinking it’s hilarious.

I know a girl working for a big financial institution over there and gave her the nickname “Potato”. Now this isn’t some dumpy stout girl, she’d be a very attractive, slim lady so it’s not to do with her appearance. That could be misconstrued as a reference to the famine, which she thought it was, but I’m not sure they have too much knowledge of that.

That's bullying. They'd be sacked if she were Indian.

I don't think the arrogance is a former colony thing, they view themselves as superior to everyone regardless of where else in the world they are from. Same attitude is prevalent in France. The French and English like to talk about how different they are to eachother but really they are a hop skip and jump. The superiority complex permeates all levels of society. I'll give you an example, the plastic bag tax. They agonised over this policy for years, report after report, never once acknowledging their neighbours had this system for years and it worked well. They just like everything they do is for the first time in the world, same with Boris Bikes and all that.

The opposite is the case in Ireland whenever a new project or policy is discussed the first port of call is how our neighbours tackle the same issue.

partyguinness

cgcsb wrote: »

I'd say you'll have to smoke a cigar after that post, having given yourself such a thorough seeing to. Your own trumpet is well and truly blown.

TBH you have to be a bit of an arrogant **** to move to England and run a business full of English people where they probably all hate my Paddy guts.

Nobody cracks Irish jokes in my presence that's for sure.:D

road_high

Mad_maxx wrote: »

Even though it has a lot of scum, Limerick people are very warm, unpretentious and friendly, Galway city is the smuggest place in Ireland outside D4 and D6, Galway County is incredibly clannish, Galway isn't friendly overall, mayo is a very friendly place.

Limerick is so friendly- there’s a real sense of decency and warmth about people there- really chilled. Cork the same but a bit sharper. People in Munster generally very friendly as is the west. We are a bit harder in Leinster I think.

Dubs tend to be very protective and uncompromising- worked with a few from time to time and so long as they are ok then that’s all that mattered.

partyguinness

pgj2015 wrote: »

id say your boss liked how modest you are.:rolleyes:

She is not my boss anymore. I was head hunted a few years back and now I am the boss. I know what I am good at and I know what I am not so good at- that my friend it a great ability.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it...:D

cgcsb

partyguinness wrote: »

I have found that the English like my informal manner in business. It eases tension and they begin to feel more comfortable. I will sometimes swear in a tense situation (as in i will go out of my way to do it within reason of course)- purely to ease the tension and it works as the client is used to stuffy suits and formal settings. It makes me more 'human' and rapport is instant.

There you go...swearing as a business tactic.

As a former (English) boss said to me: "I've never met anyone so disorganised but clients like you. Clients really like you and your department is making money for the first time ever."

I am also well able to handle the Asians and their BS as they like a more 'relaxed' approach. Quite similar to the Irish but the Irish are infinitely more professional.

I'd say you'll have to smoke a cigar after that post, having given yourself such a thorough seeing to. Your own trumpet is well and truly blown.

road_high

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

And far ruder than they think they are. A lot of Irish are way more obnoxious than Americans. Particularly with the swearing and aggressive behavior sometimes. A lot of Irish people never learnt to be civil.

There’s a lot of Irish I’d describe as having “no manners” and it cuts across all classes and age groups. Years ago I worked for a summer in an Agri diy supplies and the ignorance was just incredible- older Irish men in particular are the most miserable, ungrateful mean people you could find. And never wanted to pay for anything- the most polite customers- a group of Irish travelers that came in for horse stuff!!
I don’t know what it’s like now, but past generations really missed out on basic manners and etiquette. Reckon a lot of these people most have been favored by the church/teachers and escaped all manners lessons.
Generally find continental Europeans and Americans so polite in comparison to many of us

partyguinness

odyssey06 wrote: »

I dont think your approach would work though if you used swear words as punctuation... there is informal and there is disrespectful. You have the cop on to know which is which.

Yes I do of course. All within reason and certainly not gratuitous. Exception rather than a rule.

When a client is getting frustrated with an overall situation and rather than spouting some bland corporate speak an odd gentle swear helps to express the frustration also. In other words it says 'I am on your side and I am just as frustrated as you.' Sometimes you will find they start swearing too.

cgcsb

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

I don't know why I love the term 'rooting' so much, but it's so visual. I genuinely Lol'd at that.

It's also very relatable. I remember sending a visitor into the sitting room once, old chap, very respectable, while I went out to the yard to call Dad in. I couldn't have been gone more than two minutes, and when I came back inside he was pawing through the sideboard drawers like a dog after a bone. I have no idea what he was looking for -- I don't think he knew himself. Its just an instinct.

I didn't even give out to him. I 'got' it.

We rural types can be nice in some ways, but I'll be the first to admit my own noseyness has at times shocked me. Don't leave me alone with anything private.

As a native Dubliner and this being a culture shock, I was living alone you see, I was full on checking for cameras and have expecting him to have taken articles of my clothing for some demonic purpose and fully expected to end up dead in a septic tank somewhere. But false alarm he was just a harmless and my home invasion was a mere act of boredom

EmmetSpiceland

I think the English can be quite condescending towards us Irish, particularly in London. Maybe it’s a “former colony” type of arrogance. I’m not sure what their history syllabus is like but I’d highly doubt they are the bad guys in it.

They tend to make fun of how we speak, constantly repeating “grand” or saying “tree” for how we say “three” thinking it’s hilarious.

I know a girl working for a big financial institution over there and gave her the nickname “Potato”. Now this isn’t some dumpy stout girl, she’d be a very attractive, slim lady so it’s not to do with her appearance. That could be misconstrued as a reference to the famine, which she thought it was, but I’m not sure they have too much knowledge of that.

pgj2015

partyguinness wrote: »

I have found that the English like my informal manner in business. It eases tension and they begin to feel more comfortable. I will sometimes swear in a tense situation (as in i will go out of my way to do it within reason of course)- purely to ease the tension and it works as the client is used to stuffy suits and formal settings. It makes me more 'human' and rapport is instant.

There you go...swearing as a business tactic.

As a former (English) boss said to me: "I've never met anyone so disorganised but clients like you. Clients really like you and your department is making money for the first time ever."

I am also well able to handle the Asians and their BS as they like a more 'relaxed' approach. Quite similar to the Irish but the Irish are infinitely more professional.

id say your boss liked how modest you are.:rolleyes:

cgcsb

I think the UK branches of the company I work for get annoyed when they send me emails that start: "Dear Mr. X," and I reply with "Hi Michelle".
They get off on that sir/maddam sh1te, like you're the same slag you always were Michelle, cut the ****. We always joke in the office about starting emails with 'hi' throw in a few smiley faces for the craic.

Mad_maxx

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

[PHP][/PHP]

LOL! I haven't found country people are nosey quite the opposite actually.

Rural folk are really interested in blow ins for a few months but that is just them busying themselves compiling the facts on you, once that important job is complete, you become invisible to them

odyssey06

partyguinness wrote: »

I have found that the English like my informal manner in business. It eases tension and they begin to feel more comfortable. I will sometimes swear in a tense situation (as in i will go out of my way to do it within reason of course)- purely to ease the tension and it works as the client is used to stuffy suits and formal settings. It makes me more 'human' and rapport is instant.
There you go...swearing as a business tactic.

I dont think your approach would work though if you used swear words as punctuation... there is informal and there is disrespectful. You have the cop on to know which is which.

[Deleted User]

cgcsb wrote: »

I lived in the Midlands for a time for work. Gave an elderly neighbour a key to let in the esb man while I was in work one day. Well I'd say just about everything I own was thoroughly rooted through in rooms he had no business being in. Never again.

I don't know why I love the term 'rooting' so much, but it's so visual. I genuinely Lol'd at that.

It's also very relatable. I remember sending a visitor into the sitting room once, old chap, very respectable, while I went out to the yard to call Dad in. I couldn't have been gone more than two minutes, and when I came back inside he was pawing through the sideboard drawers like a dog after a bone. I have no idea what he was looking for -- I don't think he knew himself. Its just an instinct.

I didn't even give out to him. I 'got' it.

We rural types can be nice in some ways, but I'll be the first to admit my own noseyness has at times shocked me. Don't leave me alone with anything private.

partyguinness

Mad_maxx wrote: »

I don't mind the informal style, in fact I think it's a real natural asset of ours when it comes to business and other nations like it, bad manners is another story but some nations view informality as "rude"

I have found that the English like my informal manner in business. It eases tension and they begin to feel more comfortable. I will sometimes swear in a tense situation (as in i will go out of my way to do it within reason of course)- purely to ease the tension and it works as the client is used to stuffy suits and formal settings. It makes me more 'human' and rapport is instant.

There you go...swearing as a business tactic.

As a former (English) boss said to me: "I've never met anyone so disorganised but clients like you. Clients really like you and your department is making money for the first time ever."

I am also well able to handle the Asians and their BS as they like a more 'relaxed' approach. Quite similar to the Irish but the Irish are infinitely more professional.

odyssey06

cgcsb wrote: »

Like I said it's good for the goose. Most people here comment on their experience. Over on the UK ragloids they just say stupid crap like 'Éire supported Hitler in 2 world wars" and "Southern Ireland need our money" and various other semi literate drivel.

You have probably blocked so many trolls on boards you dont see all the equivalent gibberish spouted on boards in general if not necessarily this thread.

Mad_maxx

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

And far ruder than they think they are. A lot of Irish are way more obnoxious than Americans. Particularly with the swearing and aggressive behavior sometimes. A lot of Irish people never learnt to be civil.

I don't mind the informal style, in fact I think it's a real natural asset of ours when it comes to business and other nations like it, bad manners is another story but some nations view informality as "rude"

cgcsb

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Yes.

We are never mentioned.

What sites have you in mind out of curiosity?

cgcsb

odyssey06 wrote: »

And there is zero ill informed drivel about Britain on boards.ie? Pull the other one.

Like I said it's good for the goose. Most people here comment on their experience. Over on the UK ragloids they just say stupid crap like 'Éire supported Hitler in 2 world wars" and "Southern Ireland need our money" and various other semi literate drivel.

partyguinness

TBH the midlands in most countries gets a bad rap.

saabsaab

Ah don't go knocking the midlands, without it the West and the East would be beside themselves, Imagine that!

odyssey06

cgcsb wrote: »

Do they have forums? They rant about how awful we are in the comments section of their rags like the daily hate mail and the telegraph. Most of their rants are ill informed drivel, at least this thread is based on personal anecdote. Good for the goose and all...

And there is zero ill informed drivel about Britain on boards.ie? Pull the other one.

partyguinness

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

I mean UK sites.

I know that's what you meant. I have yet to find a UK equivalent of Boards.

ILoveYourVibes

cgcsb wrote: »

Do they have forums? They rant about how awful we are in the comments section of their rags like the daily hate mail and the telegraph. Most of their rants are ill informed drivel, at least this thread is based on personal anecdote. Good for the goose and all...

Yes.

We are never mentioned.