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How would you describe the Irish character

completedit

With images of love of a good time, light hearted, easy going, they all seem kinda at odds with our economy and high productivity ranking. How would you define Irish people in the 21st century. How do Dubs differ from rest of the country. I was having a conversation with a south Eastern European girl last night and was trying to explain Irish character. From my perspective I see us as having an aversion to seriousness and being overly earnest is definitely not a trait I'd associate with Irish people.
But maybe that's just my bubble. When I think of Irish people, I think of Ross O Carroll Kelly, he's an extreme but a good example.

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Utter Consternation

Mad_maxx wrote: »

Very prone to group think

Now that you mention it, yes we are.

SexBobomb

Mad_maxx wrote: »

Very prone to group think

Utter Consternation wrote: »

Now that you mention it, yes we are.

I agree

ArnoldJRimmer

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

Example?

Saoirse Ronan is an example of someone who has done remarkably well, but gets a lot of abuse. Her accent has been picked on in particular, but if it wasn't that, it would be something else

Ipso

Kimber Loose Stepmother wrote: »

Complicated, varied, humourous, productive, practical, frivolous, generous, outward looking, insular, inventive, creative, open, insular, argumentative, co-operative...like every country we have people of all characters. Some of the biggest errors in politics, business and society through the years have come from assigning a single character trait, or a particular series of traits, to a nation or a region as a whole.

That’s a very Irish thing to say.

Thelonious Monk

ArnoldJRimmer wrote: »

Saoirse Ronan is an example of someone who has done remarkably well, but gets a lot of abuse. Her accent has been picked on in particular, but if it wasn't that, it would be something else

I think she's great, I think people pick on her accent because it's a bit Dublin, and anyone outside of Dublin seems to hate us.

OnTheCouch

Due to the nature of this thread, the following may contain some generalisations, but from what I have noticed during my life, I can say the following about the Irish, starting with the positive:

We are as a rule quite creative; music, literature, arts are encouraged in many families, more so than in other countries as far as I can see
I believe that our sense of humour is pretty sharp, many Irish are simply naturally funny and witty.
At least on a superficial level, we are very helpful to strangers
We are often very kind to others in times of need
People often have quite a rebel character, we are not as pedantic and a stickler for the rules as others - may depend on your opinion if this is positive/negative, I tend to like it
We tend to be extremely flexible with plans, arrangements, we are able to think on our feet quite well: "don't worry, we'll work something out"
There generally exists a desire to travel and to discover new countries
Along the same lines, we have a natural curiosity about others - maybe too much for some, but we do take an interest
Being brash or arrogant is looked down upon, people are quick to condemn someone who gets above his or her station much more than elsewhere
Even though it can get sometimes out of hand, I think generally our pub scene is very positive, everyone gets involved, no distinction of class, age etc, especially in smaller places
We really respect the dead well, funeral processions I always find to be extremely "impressive" in this country, if this is the right and appropriate word of course
Our sporting structures (if not our organisational boards/associations) are generally well-run with many people generously giving up their free time to volunteer, especially given we have four main games

As for where we can improve:

As are those who stand out from the crowd, Irish people are definitely not comfortable with this
People generally have a great difficulty with being direct, straight and to the point, Irish folk will frequently avoid this whenever possible, sadly often preferring to gossip behind said person's back. Now we are clearly nowhere near as bad as the English for this trait, who take it to another level, but we as a general rule do not like confrontation
We do have a drinking problem
There is a tendency among Irish to overstate or believe our importance elsewhere is far greater than it actually is, I wouldn't say we invoke hugely strong emotions in that many people, maybe as a relatively small country we are seen in a positive light, but on the other hand, even in Europe people tend to see us as no different to the British and even worse (even allowing for historical confusion) part of the same country
Although we may be initially friendly, to befriend us if you are an outsider is a fairly tough ask, we tend to look inwards and fall back on those having something in common with us, as opposed to embracing diversity
Again expanding on the above, as much as we like to travel, we overwhelmingly pick the Anglophone countries and if we don't, we stay in huge groups from back home to lessen the impact of the culture shock, other nationalities travel solo far more often than we do
Catholicism and Catholic guilt still have a huge influence on our behaviour even in 2019

endacl

We know ourselves. Well, we assume others do. Ah, sure you know yourself.

[Deleted User]

Sometimes charming, sometimes vulgar, often witty, usually warm hearted. Irish people are up for a laugh, and tend to have a healthy national ego - every Irish achievement, however slight, is lauded from the rooftops, which might be pride, might be insecurity, likely a portion of both. My perception of Dubliners is that they'd go the extra mile to help someone in clear distress, and it's also my perception of people from everywhere outside Dublin. Irish people curse a lot. A really lot. Perhaps a little too willing to believe that everyone elsewhere in the world adores them just for being Irish, regardless of behaviour.

So, funny, warm, not inclined to seriousness (a good and a bad thing), a willingness to make the best of situations, kind hearted, and easy going. Nice people.

Plot twist: I'm English.

jimgoose

Candie wrote: »

...Plot twist: I'm English.

Bloody Brits, coming over here... complimenting us. Rabble! Rabble-Rabble!!

OnTheCouch

Candie wrote: »

Perhaps a little too willing to believe that everyone elsewhere in the world adores them just for being Irish, regardless of behaviour.

Yes I meant to put this as well, it's quite a prevalent attitude and although I have seen glimpses of this attitude elsewhere, it's nowhere near as rife as the Irish tend to believe.

WesternZulu

From living in the UK for a few years I think the Irish are a lot less restrained by rules for better or worse.

There is a natural charm associated with Irish people that is hard to pinpoint.

Bad points about our character our hangups about certain things that don't conform to the norm. Like everyone is expected to get married in a church even if they only darken the door once a year.

Another bad point is a general cohort of people will run the country down for any reason at all to absolve themselves from self responsibility.

While I'm at it there is an awful tenancy to have an inferior complex in relation to other countries. For instance, people saying we have a third world health service (we don't) and that the government is the most corrupt in the world (it isn't).

Thelonious Monk

Bigboldworld wrote: »

One example would be someone in the workplace who works up from the bottom and starts doing well and making more money, initially it’s he’s a great worker then gets a few bumps and it’s he’s a wanker your man there, knows such and such he’s one of them now, all the guy did was work hard when others were lazy and suddenly he’s a wanker because he deservedly earns more money, that’s something I’ve personally witnessed a few times and think that mindset can apply to many industries music, entertainment you name it

No that's just a f*cking gobsh*te. Not unique to Ireland.

machaseh

completedit wrote: »

With images of love of a good time, light hearted, easy going, they all seem kinda at odds with our economy and high productivity ranking. How would you define Irish people in the 21st century. How do Dubs differ from rest of the country. I was having a conversation with a south Eastern European girl last night and was trying to explain Irish character. From my perspective I see us as having an aversion to seriousness and being overly earnest is definitely not a trait I'd associate with Irish people.
But maybe that's just my bubble. When I think of Irish people, I think of Ross O Carroll Kelly, he's an extreme but a good example.

I am from the Netherlands and I've been living in Dublin for 2 years. In my experience irish people have the following traits:

- Sly and untrustworthy. They are very good at being very 'nice' with a nice smile, but then they f*** you over behind your back or talk sh*** about you. Absolutely awful.

- Pretentious and authoritarian when in any position of power. You can have the sweetest and kindest Irish colleague, but then they get a promotion to manager or a senior role. And OOOOFF then they completely change, they suddenly think they are everything and are always right and start to boast about themselves and belittle others. Super terrible attitude to have.

- Low level of education (at least compared to the Netherlands). The vast majority of Irish people do not know a second language, no not even the Irish language. Most of them are also unable to speak a standard variety of English, only speaking with their thick Dublin or whatever accent which for non-Irish people is very hard to understand. Luckily I've been living here for 2 years now so the Dublin burr is no issue for meself, but when I go to Belfast I have to ask my friend to translate it into Dutch for me.

- Drunkards. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, I love me pints as well. But it would be quite uncommon to go out with your manager on friday night and have 10+ pints in the Netherlands while it's certainly not uncommon here.

- Absolutely no taste in terms of food. 'Fine dining' for your average irishman is having the largest burger at eddie rocket's.

- Oblivious about domestic politics and generally an attitude of 'I dont care'. A lot of things are wrong in this country but Irish people don't WANT change and seem to think that things that are wrong are so for a reason and can never be changed.

- Very friendly and kind, that has to be said in contrast to the negatives above.

-

tonycascarino

Pretending to be successful when drowning in debt. Many are under pressure to try maintain the fake Celtic Tiger lifestyle.

Bobblehats

machaseh wrote: »

- Absolutely no taste in terms of food. 'Fine dining' for your average irishman is having the largest burger at eddie rocket's.-

Enjoy your febo

Ipso

tonycascarino wrote: »

Pretending to be successful when drowning in debt. Many are under pressure to try maintain the fake Celtic Tiger lifestyle.

I think the celtic/septic tiger/bubble revealed a lot of latent snobbery in Irish people.

ToddyDoody

Mediterranean. Portugal, Ireland / Italy, Greece and Spain.

Brazil too. With the corrupt politics to match.

OnTheCouch

machaseh wrote: »

I am from the Netherlands and I've been living in Dublin for 2 years. In my experience irish people have the following traits:

- Sly and untrustworthy. They are very good at being very 'nice' with a nice smile, but then they f*** you over behind your back or talk sh*** about you. Absolutely awful.

-

I wouldn't go quite as far as yourself or say it in as harsh a way, but I also agree with the above. Indeed, I will change my post to incorporate you and Candie's posts which I forgot to mention as well as a couple of other points.

Just out of curiosity, given that you are Dutch and from my experience Dutch people are extremely direct, would this be the biggest criticism you have of living here? Your language is fairly strong in the aforementioned example so I reckon it's up there all right, but I was just interested in what you had to say.

topper75

beejee wrote: »

Beyond the gaa team, I really feel as though the character of Dublin is nigh on non-existent anymore, and I say that as a Dubliner.

A vacuum of personality has developed, but that's like most "big cities" I suppose.

Busy and bland for the most part. It's as appetising and interesting as a slice of white bread.

The other Irish urban centres have always followed Dn to some extent. They are also following them in this regard. What is available in Ck, Lk, or Gy these days that isn't also elsewhere. Gentrification isn't the problem in our cities today. It's generification.

topper75

Agricola wrote: »

Not being overly earnest is a great national character trait. You couldn't imagine a shítshow like Brexit befalling us in Ireland, simply because the majority of people would be sensible enough to realize you don't rock a boat that's sailing along nicely enough. Whereas the British get so hung up on earnest pursuits like "sovereignty" and "taking back control" that they don't realize or don't care that they are about to torpedo their own vessel.

That's enough marine metaphors.

If I can invite you to bring your vessel full about shipmate, you could put your telescope to your good eye and see that the Irish of just one century ago were getting quite worked up indeed about those very things you put in quotes. We suffered to do so too, shower of hard-head ****ers! Economic War anyone?

machaseh

OnTheCouch wrote: »

I wouldn't go quite as far as yourself or say it in as harsh a way, but I also agree with the above. Indeed, I will change my post to incorporate you and Candie's posts which I forgot to mention as well as a couple of other points.

Just out of curiosity, given that you are Dutch and from my experience Dutch people are extremely direct, would this be the biggest criticism you have of living here? Your language is fairly strong in the aforementioned example so I reckon it's up there all right, but I was just interested in what you had to say.

Yeah it's something I really don't like, especially when it comes in combination with the "attitude once they get a promotion " part

Example from my previous job : my senior colleague made a big mistake didn't follow procedure. Só i told him this is wrong you are supposed to handle these this and this way. Then all I got back was a big mouth ' don't tell a senior agent what to do ". Even though I was right.

Would be absolutely unacceptable in my own country

topper75

machaseh wrote: »

... I've been living here for 2 years now so the Dublin burr is no issue for meself

-

Glaswegian burr, but Dublin brogue.

Some of the complaints are fair enough. But you don't offer too much in the way of balance. Are we to conclude that you are here under duress?

Did you upset somebody in Rabobank HQ and got posted here to the outer limits as punishment?

ToddyDoody

machaseh wrote: »

I am from the Netherlands and I've been living in Dublin for 2 years. In my experience irish people have the following traits:

- Sly and untrustworthy. They are very good at being very 'nice' with a nice smile, but then they f*** you over behind your back or talk sh*** about you. Absolutely awful.

- Pretentious and authoritarian when in any position of power. You can have the sweetest and kindest Irish colleague, but then they get a promotion to manager or a senior role. And OOOOFF then they completely change, they suddenly think they are everything and are always right and start to boast about themselves and belittle others. Super terrible attitude to have.

- Low level of education (at least compared to the Netherlands). The vast majority of Irish people do not know a second language, no not even the Irish language. Most of them are also unable to speak a standard variety of English, only speaking with their thick Dublin or whatever accent which for non-Irish people is very hard to understand. Luckily I've been living here for 2 years now so the Dublin burr is no issue for meself, but when I go to Belfast I have to ask my friend to translate it into Dutch for me.

- Drunkards. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, I love me pints as well. But it would be quite uncommon to go out with your manager on friday night and have 10+ pints in the Netherlands while it's certainly not uncommon here.

- Absolutely no taste in terms of food. 'Fine dining' for your average irishman is having the largest burger at eddie rocket's.

- Oblivious about domestic politics and generally an attitude of 'I dont care'. A lot of things are wrong in this country but Irish people don't WANT change and seem to think that things that are wrong are so for a reason and can never be changed.

- Very friendly and kind, that has to be said in contrast to the negatives above.

-

Wow that's bad. I think we might have to write you off.

Sin City

We are grand

Sin City

machaseh wrote: »

I am from the Netherlands and I've been living in Dublin for 2 years. In my experience irish people have the following traits:

- Sly and untrustworthy. They are very good at being very 'nice' with a nice smile, but then they f*** you over behind your back or talk sh*** about you. Absolutely awful.

- Pretentious and authoritarian when in any position of power. You can have the sweetest and kindest Irish colleague, but then they get a promotion to manager or a senior role. And OOOOFF then they completely change, they suddenly think they are everything and are always right and start to boast about themselves and belittle others. Super terrible attitude to have.

- Low level of education (at least compared to the Netherlands). The vast majority of Irish people do not know a second language, no not even the Irish language. Most of them are also unable to speak a standard variety of English, only speaking with their thick Dublin or whatever accent which for non-Irish people is very hard to understand. Luckily I've been living here for 2 years now so the Dublin burr is no issue for meself, but when I go to Belfast I have to ask my friend to translate it into Dutch for me.

- Drunkards. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, I love me pints as well. But it would be quite uncommon to go out with your manager on friday night and have 10+ pints in the Netherlands while it's certainly not uncommon here.

- Absolutely no taste in terms of food. 'Fine dining' for your average irishman is having the largest burger at eddie rocket's.

- Oblivious about domestic politics and generally an attitude of 'I dont care'. A lot of things are wrong in this country but Irish people don't WANT change and seem to think that things that are wrong are so for a reason and can never be changed.

- Very friendly and kind, that has to be said in contrast to the negatives above.

-

Have you engaged with the real Irish outside of Dublin ?

Tell me how

machaseh wrote: »

I am from the Netherlands and I've been living in Dublin for 2 years. In my experience irish people have the following traits:

- Sly and untrustworthy. They are very good at being very 'nice' with a nice smile, but then they f*** you over behind your back or talk sh*** about you. Absolutely awful.

- Pretentious and authoritarian when in any position of power. You can have the sweetest and kindest Irish colleague, but then they get a promotion to manager or a senior role. And OOOOFF then they completely change, they suddenly think they are everything and are always right and start to boast about themselves and belittle others. Super terrible attitude to have.

- Low level of education (at least compared to the Netherlands). The vast majority of Irish people do not know a second language, no not even the Irish language. Most of them are also unable to speak a standard variety of English, only speaking with their thick Dublin or whatever accent which for non-Irish people is very hard to understand. Luckily I've been living here for 2 years now so the Dublin burr is no issue for meself, but when I go to Belfast I have to ask my friend to translate it into Dutch for me.

- Drunkards. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, I love me pints as well. But it would be quite uncommon to go out with your manager on friday night and have 10+ pints in the Netherlands while it's certainly not uncommon here.

- Absolutely no taste in terms of food. 'Fine dining' for your average irishman is having the largest burger at eddie rocket's.

- Oblivious about domestic politics and generally an attitude of 'I dont care'. A lot of things are wrong in this country but Irish people don't WANT change and seem to think that things that are wrong are so for a reason and can never be changed.

- Very friendly and kind, that has to be said in contrast to the negatives above.

-

Not trying to be over defensive here but it seems like you are working off of a small sample size.

All of the above points could describe a single colleague who got promotion rather than you even though they are less educated, and while they were previously friendly they are now are dictating to you what to do and you feel they only got the job because they go drinking with the boss.

uchimata83

The day a dutch lad tells me about having a bad attitude, and not being able to have the craic properly, is the day I'll die.

Now it's Friday evening, I'm off to pub with my manager for a dozen pints and a burger afterwards.

Edgware

beejee wrote: »

Beyond the gaa team, I really feel as though the character of Dublin is nigh on non-existent anymore, and I say that as a Dubliner.

A vacuum of personality has developed, but that's like most "big cities" I suppose.

Busy and bland for the most part. It's as appetising and interesting as a slice of white bread.

God be with the days of oul Bang Bang and 15 of us living in the one room and surviving on coddle, fried bread and whatever poor Rosie would make down in Monto servicing the Tans.

topper75

WesternZulu wrote: »

Bad points about our character our hangups about certain things that don't conform to the norm. Like everyone is expected to get married in a church even if they only darken the door once a year.

We are very much fixing that...
How meaningful was the 'expectation' in 2018 when only a minority of the total newlyweds fulfilled it?

https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/mar/marriages2018/

Edgware

machaseh wrote: »

I am from the Netherlands and I've been living in Dublin for 2 years. In my experience irish people have the following traits:

- Sly and untrustworthy. They are very good at being very 'nice' with a nice smile, but then they f*** you over behind your back or talk sh*** about you. Absolutely awful.

- Pretentious and authoritarian when in any position of power. You can have the sweetest and kindest Irish colleague, but then they get a promotion to manager or a senior role. And OOOOFF then they completely change, they suddenly think they are everything and are always right and start to boast about themselves and belittle others. Super terrible attitude to have.

- Low level of education (at least compared to the Netherlands). The vast majority of Irish people do not know a second language, no not even the Irish language. Most of them are also unable to speak a standard variety of English, only speaking with their thick Dublin or whatever accent which for non-Irish people is very hard to understand. Luckily I've been living here for 2 years now so the Dublin burr is no issue for meself, but when I go to Belfast I have to ask my friend to translate it into Dutch for me.

- Drunkards. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, I love me pints as well. But it would be quite uncommon to go out with your manager on friday night and have 10+ pints in the Netherlands while it's certainly not uncommon here.

- Absolutely no taste in terms of food. 'Fine dining' for your average irishman is having the largest burger at eddie rocket's.

- Oblivious about domestic politics and generally an attitude of 'I dont care'. A lot of things are wrong in this country but Irish people don't WANT change and seem to think that things that are wrong are so for a reason and can never be changed.

- Very friendly and kind, that has to be said in contrast to the negatives above.

-

And why exactly would we give a ****e about what the Dutch think?