Modern day Ireland

01-04-2009 03:14PM

Oh, another rant thread, this time about home? OK, here are a couple more things to add to your complaint list...

Guinness! Why do they have to make it so grand at St James Gate, huh? All we have to drink in the States is mass processed swill called Bud or Miller's.

KerryGold! Once you have tasted it, what they call butter in the States tastes like axle grease.

Mr.Lizard · 01-04-2009 03:32PM

Yeah but we were comparing Ireland with good countries, not the United States.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 01-04-2009 03:37PM

markok84 wrote: »

so they know that one of his two sons tied him to the chair at around 7:30....

Quazzie2002 wrote: »

He was strapped, hands tied to a chair. Nought natural about that.

Initial reports suggest it was a robbery that went wrong.

This was a tongue-in-cheek comment about crime levels. There are times when I am just a little too subtle...

lightening · 01-04-2009 03:41PM

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Where?

Do I have to lead you around the city by the hand? Keep an eye on the blackboards, look out for the early birds. Four of us ate for €42 in Market Bar on Saturday, we were stuffed. Head to the Asian places Northside, you will get even cheaper along with pitchers of beer.

All excellent food. There will be exceptions where the food does not originate in the country it is eaten in, but you would have to be a moron to moan about that.... IE; Ibearian meats taste better and are cheaper in Spain, Alaskan king crab is fresher in Alaska. You can't beat Irish lamb though!!!

markok84 · 01-04-2009 03:47PM

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

This was a tongue-in-cheek comment about crime levels. There are times when I am just a little too subtle...

mine was a tongue in cheek comment about the poor sentence structure of RTE.ie's online editor.

But that doesn't really matter, yes crime levels are after escalating and things are ridiculously expensive now, that'll change though. This down turn might be a good thing, put a few people in their place. (not people that bought houses in the last 5 years, are now in negative equity and don't have jobs though, I feel sorry for ye)

Quazzie · 01-04-2009 03:47PM

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

This was a tongue-in-cheek comment about crime levels. There are times when I am just a little too subtle...

I've always said we sarcasm tags [sarcasm][\sarcasm]

Kipperhell · 01-04-2009 04:14PM

Did the OP say where he was?

I can't think of any western country that has not got the exact same issues we have in Ireland. The chances are that in your new life abroad you fail to recognise the same types of things. The price of things is really the biggest issue

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 01-04-2009 04:19PM

lightening wrote: »

Do I have to lead you around the city by the hand? Keep an eye on the blackboards, look out for the early birds. Four of us ate for €42 in Market Bar on Saturday, we were stuffed. Head to the Asian places Northside, you will get even cheaper along with pitchers of beer.

All excellent food. There will be exceptions where the food does not originate in the country it is eaten in, but you would have to be a moron to moan about that.... IE; Ibearian meats taste better and are cheaper in Spain, Alaskan king crab is fresher in Alaska. You can't beat Irish lamb though!!!

Been to market bar - very small portions last time I was there. Can do four for 42 all over Berlin. Fair comment about the Irish lamb.

Paddy Samurai · 01-04-2009 04:54PM

superreds12 wrote: »

I do visit Ireland once or twice a year to visit my family and I find it strange the short memories that so many people have. It wasn't so long ago that the Irish where the Polish of the world travelling everywhere and anywhere where there was work in order to support their families. As soon as the tied turns and people are coming to our country to find work people suddenly have a problem with it.

Yep its the "Goldilocks syndrome" .
When you have a giant bowl of porridge that you can't eat by yourself,your willing to share with the visitors.
But when there's fcuk all porridge in the bowl , it's time for the guests to fcuk off home and get their own.

Paddy Samurai · 01-04-2009 05:12PM

Blue_Lagoon wrote: »

Guinness! Why do they have to make it so grand at St James Gate, huh? All we have to drink in the States is mass processed swill called Bud or Miller's..

You should move to ireland ,we have a great range of American beers from the following breweries:
Sierra nevada
Brooklyn
Anchor
Goose island
and my favourite from boston the Sam Adams range.
Your right! though bud and millers are puke!.

big b · 01-04-2009 05:22PM

Paddy Samurai wrote: »

Yep its the "Goldilocks syndrome" .
When you have a giant bowl of porridge that you can't eat by yourself,your willing to share with the visitors.
But when there's fcuk all porridge in the bowl , it's time for the guests to fcuk off home and get their own.

and that post is called bullsh*t syndrome.

I was in Britain during the 80's. Things weren't too great then jobwise, but there were still plenty of Irish getting a living there.
And signing on when they couldn't.

magick · 01-04-2009 05:28PM

we were the toilet attendent that won the lotto, got too rich too fast.

I still love my country and think its a great place to live in, however yes their are a few things that annoy me, skangers, prices but instead of complaining about them try and actually do something about them.

Skangers, try to aviod, when not possible confront. Speaking from experience they will always back down.

Prices, shop else where, even try the internet (now i know its not possible to get everything off the internet, but where possible).

magick · 01-04-2009 05:30PM

Paddy Samurai wrote: »

You should move to ireland ,we have a great range of American beers from the following breweries:
Sierra nevada
Brooklyn
Anchor
Goose island
and my favourite from boston the Sam Adams range.
Your right! though bud and millers are puke!.

Except the Sam Adams winter ale, its completely tasteless, otherwise they do decent beers.

Highsider · 01-04-2009 05:33PM

I'll be honest i've travelled throughout the world 12 years of my life worked,loved,lived in a variety of countries and certain parts of this country are shameful. I find myself more and more in despair with the state of our justice system,our school system,our banks,our public service,transport,social welfare system and many more problems that i could think of. Don't even get me started on our health service.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 01-04-2009 05:47PM

Highsider wrote: »

I'll be honest i've travelled throughout the world 12 years of my life worked,loved,lived in a variety of countries and certain parts of this country are shameful. I find myself more and more in despair with the state of our justice system,our school system,our banks,our public service,transport,social welfare system and many more problems that i could think of. Don't even get me started on our health service.

Go on - what's wrong with the health service?!

j1smithy · 01-04-2009 05:55PM

superreds12 wrote: »

Let me start by saying that I was born in Ireland and grew up there until the age of 19, at which I was offered a job abroad which I accepted. Its been almost eight years now since I left and I must admit it’s the best thing I could ever have done. I just wanted to asked people’s idea on what they think of the present day Ireland as I myself after seeing so much of the world have grown to really detest the place. Here are just a few things that really annoy me about Ireland, would people here agree?

The scanger element with so many people just happy to sit on their ass, have a baby, get a free house and live off the government
The pure scumbags who hang around town, its just doesn’t feel safe to walk the streets late at night in town (Dublin) anymore.
Everything is totally overpriced, I mean 5 euro for a pint of beer, cigarettes, food etc.

I am Irish but I must admit that sometimes I am a bit embarrassed by the attitude of many Irish people when it comes to race and sexuality. Remember we are supposed to be the friendliest nation in the world, however it seems every time I’m home the racism just seems to be getting worse.

The reason I am asking people’s opinion on this is because as I said I have been away for so long and from the outside this is now my perception of Ireland.

So where have you been living eh? London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles? The problems you describe do exist in Dublin, but they are not unique to Ireland. In fact they exist in every western democracy, sometimes to a lesser extent, more often to a greater extent than here.

Ireland has its social problems, as does every other place. However I suggest you take off your rose tinted specticles and analyse your adopted homeland the same way you do Dublin. After you do, you'll likely find that Dublin compares well. Your attitude is not unique to returned emigrants in my experience. Its like they expected everyone to be driving clapped out austins and cutting turf when they come back, like some sort of living museum for themselves. They wanted to complain at how backward we are. But when they see the progress we made, they have to complain about something else... That Ireland has lost something not tangible like its "charm" or has new problems. I am happy that the country went through the changes it did, even if it meant adopting some of the problems other places have too. Modernisation should not be the preserve of other countries!

Electric Sheep · 01-04-2009 06:08PM

j1smithy wrote: »

So where have you been living eh? London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles? The problems you describe do exist in Dublin, but they are not unique to Ireland. In fact they exist in every western democracy, sometimes to a lesser extent, more often to a greater extent than here.

I've lived on three continents, in several different countries. I have never encountered the particular quality and quantity of scumbags that seem to be the norm in "Modern Day Ireland". It's truly astounding. They are also remarkably ugly, even if you try to picture them with a more flattering haircut.:p

Purple Gorilla · 01-04-2009 06:27PM

Well Ireland has the 8th Lowest homicidal rate in Europe and has one of the lowest rates in the world.

I'd like to think we're ok

We're the friendliest European country for 2 years running and that's a survey by actual tourists, the most impartial of us all.

lightening · 01-04-2009 06:39PM

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Been to market bar - very small portions last time I was there. Can do four for 42 all over Berlin. Fair comment about the Irish lamb.

Yeah, been to Berlin a few times, lots of lovely places, great city, but certainly not without its problems.

The portions are huge in Market Bar, we got 2 fish pies, a meatball dish and a chicken and chorizo skewer dish along with an extra cheese dish, there was the usual salad and olives too. There are many many more places you can do four for €42 Euro in Dublin. The thing is, you have to get out in to the city, walk around, keep your eyes open, read the boards, look at the menus, get out of the car...

Again, I am in Dublin city centre almost every weekend and I find it very friendly.

The scumbag element is in most big cities, but with a bit of streetwiseness, some cop and some confidence you will avoid trouble. I was once touched 12 years of living in the city centre, walking in and out every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. It was a failed mugging in Ringsend.

Acacia · 01-04-2009 08:18PM

It has its advantages like everywhere else, I guess, but there does seem to be a lot of corruption here and there's something of a Banana Republic vibe about the place. It seems to be stuck in some sort of time warp. Poverty and emigration and terrorism are all back again it seems, like they never went away. To tell the truth, I love it here, but at the same time , I can't wait to live somewhere else for awhile.

Luisella · 01-04-2009 08:37PM

Trinny. wrote: »

Lobelia Overhil wrote:

I came home 17 years ago and in that time I've watched the charm vanish and be replaced with harshness ...

Money does that.

Capitalism, not money itself.

blow69 · 01-04-2009 10:54PM

AnonoBoy wrote: »

How do you know if you've been away for 8 years?

Dublin now is actually the safest place in the world. Women and OAPs can walk the streets at any time of night with absolutely no fear of assault or robbery.

The government has done wonderous things with the city - no more litter, very little crime and people greet total strangers warmly on the street as if they were long lost brothers. It's a great place to live.

Ok I don't know where you live, but that does not happen here.

superreds12 · 02-04-2009 06:27AM

It seems to be the case that anybody actually defending Ireland has not actually lived outside Ireland. If they had they would really see how bad Ireland really is. Actually I am living in South East Asia and while it would be classed as a third world country I admit that I feel much safer wallking the streets late at night here than I ever did in Ireland. I understand every country has problems but I just think that having travelled and lived in many places worldwide Ireland seems to have many more than others.

Again from the outside looking in, don't people think its slightly ludicrous that we should have such a high minimum wage? such high unemployment benefits? and such high living expenses in general? Honestly who here can actually defend a house in say Inchicore or Ballyfermot being sold for around 300k or more?? seriously its just crazy to me.

By having such high benefits we are actually enticing people not to work and don't get me started on the single mothers allowance. How many people do you know that are single mothers (actually living with their partners but claming to be single) I am sure everyone here knows at least once.

Kipperhell · 02-04-2009 07:10AM

superreds12 wrote: »

It seems to be the case that anybody actually defending Ireland has not actually lived outside Ireland. If they had they would really see how bad Ireland really is. Actually I am living in South East Asia and while it would be classed as a third world country I admit that I feel much safer wallking the streets etc...

So you live in a part of the world where forced prostitution and human trafficking is pretty high. I am sure these people are delighted there is no social welfare there and the employment options.
It sounds like you probably know little about economics and how there is a knock on effect to most decisions. If we successfully got people off drugs here and other western countries South East Asia may have some serious problems. A huge revenue stream would end for them. If there was less need for cheap labour there would be less money going to your adopted country.

Any chance the fact you are a western means people are less likely to attack you given the media coverage on such events in the past?

In fairness to you given you left the country and able to relocate to another is because you grew up here. I am sure you didn't have to start at the lower levels of their society as a result. It is pretty blinkered to think of the people on the fringes of society indicate that the the whole country is flawed and ignore similar in your adopted country.

Rented Mule · 02-04-2009 07:13AM

Ireland.

It's be a great country, if it weren't for the natives.

This line was orignally used by a friend of mine from the Wes(h)t of Ireland when describing the US.

Crumble Froo · 02-04-2009 07:34AM

ive been away for the best part of a year and a half now, and honestly, i was probably the least likely of my mates to move abroad. i loved the language, the sports, the people, the place.. i was really really content with my life in ireland, and really really homesick for most of my first year away.

now though... the more i keep up with the news from back home, from the recession, to cowangate, to just comparing things here to home - like legal to abort, marry anywhere, gay marriage... even last week, i busted my shoulder while surfing and am actually entitled to claim accident compensation on it, despite having absolutely no insurance, not even through work or travel, anything. just because the accident happened while i was here, i get free physio, ultrasounds, etc.

yeah, there's racism in ireland, but it's the same for every country. natural really, we spent so many years exporting people, twas a bit of a shock to the system when people started getting imported. then, the lack of jobs, it's an easy scapegoat.

not condoning of course, but i can sorta see where it comes from, in a way

meh. ireland's not so bad. home is home. but im missing it less and less, the more i hear about it.

(although, as ye start coming into summer and im stuck in winter, i may change my tune a little... >_> )

02-04-2009 07:52AM

lightening wrote: »

Keep an eye on the blackboards, look out for the early birds. Four of us ate for €42 in Market Bar on Saturday, we were stuffed.

They fed you, and dessert too, all for just €42?

lightening · 02-04-2009 09:34AM

superreds12 wrote: »

It seems to be the case that anybody actually defending Ireland has not actually lived outside Ireland

I have lived in Oz and America and travel a lot.

superreds12 wrote: »

Actually I am living in South East Asia and while it would be classed as a third world country I admit that I feel much safer wallking the streets late at night here than I ever did in Ireland.

Your fears of walking the streets are naive and unfounded. You need to get over that. I visit SEAsia a lot. I see the sex tourism. Believe me, just scrape the underbelly and you will be shocked at what goes on regarding children and basic human rights. I know you think its all lovely and sunny and everyone treats you well on the surface, but what you obviously don't see makes Ireland's "single mother" problems look silly.

superreds12 wrote: »

don't get me started on the single mothers allowance.

Don't start.

Blue_Lagoon wrote: »

They fed you, and dessert too, all for just €42?

No, we were to full for dessert. Read my earlier post and you will see exactly what we had for dinner. You could consider the cheese dish a dessert if you really wanted to. Don't forget there are much much cheaper places to go.

02-04-2009 10:14AM

superreds12 wrote: »

It seems to be the case that anybody actually defending Ireland has not actually lived outside Ireland.

Ireland is home, but crossed the pond over 3 years ago and now live in Southern California attending university. Have traveled a bit, staying a week or more in many countries found in South America, Central America, North America, Scandinavia, EU (plus Russia) and Asia, so I have an appreciation for being in other places, and Ireland is no place near the bottom of the list in terms of quality of life.

lightening wrote: »

No, we were to full for dessert. Read my earlier post and you will see exactly what we had for dinner. You could consider the cheese dish a dessert if you really wanted to. Don't forget there are much much cheaper places to go.

Oh well, I guess I failed in my play on words when you took my reference to "dessert" literally? ("birds" > "stuffed"). Should have watched Jay Leno instead of posting to boards...

LouOB · 02-04-2009 10:50AM

superreds12 wrote: »

. How many people do you know that are single mothers (actually living with their partners but claming to be single) I am sure everyone here knows at least once.

erm i dont
tbh it sounds like you are visiting the parts of Dublin where these sort of things are quite prenevelant.
I have walked home from Dublin centre on my own on manys of occasions without any incident what so ever. The scumbags you are talking of are noticeable. Id be more worried about unseen dangers than anything else.

I hate people Ireland or post modern Ireland bashing
Tis makes me Mad:mad:
What you going to do about it then? huh?!!

Nothing I suspect - so take your 'issues' and educated self back to your new adopted country ya ex-pat ya.

I love Dublin
as most of Europe and the country come here to work
Dubliners are now marginalised

Modern day Ireland

Comments