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Are ye embarrassed?

  • 06-02-2010 04:53PM
    #1
    Kivaro
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,105 ✭✭✭Kivaro


    Being one of the weak sisters of Europe, according to a recent NY Times article.

    Ireland is now regarded as being part of PIIGS (along with Italy, Portugal, Spain and Greece), with high structural deficits matched with low prospects for the kind of economic growth and productivity improvements that can bring them back to health.

    Now, I'm trying to figure out how Ireland got lumped in with a bunch of nations that are inherently different (culturally, geographically etc).
    I wonder why Ireland is not aligned with Northern European countries with respect to efficiency and competitiveness, but instead grouped with Southern European countries where there is a tendency to be a bit more 'relaxed' when it comes to the work ethic.

    Ireland does not have the abundant sunshine to 'tire' us, like our Mediterranean sisters, or the playground of the rich and famous to distract us, so why have we found ourselves to be part of their family?

    New York Times Article


«134

Comments

  • #2
    Professey Chin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51,054 ✭✭✭✭Professey Chin


    Kivaro wrote: »
    Ireland does not have the abundant sunshine to 'tire' us, like our Mediterranean sisters, or the playground of the rich and famous to distract us, so why have we found ourselves to be part of their family?
    Drink


  • #3
    Leftyflip
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,463 ✭✭✭Leftyflip


    Ultimate Chin wrote: »
    Drink
    Feck!


  • #4
    Slugs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,282 ✭✭✭Slugs


    It's quite simple really, the other 3 countries are dependant on tourism to bring in the money. Now that we're in a recession, their earnings have collapsed. As for us, we're dependant on foreign business. Now that it's become apparent that we're too expensive to employ or buy in, it's going to be unlikely for us to recover fully.


  • #5
    caseyann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,938 ✭✭✭caseyann


    Why would we be :confused: I dont care what some stupid article says about Ireland.And if we do then we are sheep:D


  • #6
    Bonito
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,399 ✭✭✭Bonito


    What do the NY times know about europe :rolleyes:


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  • #7
    hooradiation
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,922 ✭✭✭hooradiation


    Kivaro wrote: »
    Ireland is now regarded as being part of PIIGS (along with Italy, Portugal, Spain and Greece), with high structural deficits matched with low prospects for the kind of economic growth and productivity improvements that can bring them back to health.

    Now, I'm trying to figure out how Ireland got lumped in with a bunch of nations that are inherently different (culturally, geographically etc).

    You....you just answered your own question.


  • #8
    Overheal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,683 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    Now, I'm trying to figure out how Ireland got lumped in with ... countries where there is a tendency to be a bit more 'relaxed' when it comes to the work ethic.

    You're joking right?


  • #9
    TangyZizzle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,292 ✭✭✭TangyZizzle


    @ OP

    Speaking as the embassador for the wasteful, dole scrounging youth, I would rather be sitting in my bedroom smoking a jay and listening to Them Crooked Vultures than doing a hard days work.
    Sexy rock music and squidgy black, I think you'll find, is alot more tiring than the sun.


  • #10
    bonerm
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,594 ✭✭✭bonerm


    Kivaro wrote: »
    Being one of the weak sisters of Europe, according to a recent NY Times article.

    Ireland is now regarded as being part of PIIGS (along with Italy, Portugal, Spain and Greece), with high structural deficits matched with low prospects for the kind of economic growth and productivity improvements that can bring them back to health.

    Now, I'm trying to figure out how Ireland got lumped in with a bunch of nations that are inherently different (culturally, geographically etc).
    I wonder why Ireland is not aligned with Northern European countries with respect to efficiency and competitiveness, but instead grouped with Southern European countries where there is a tendency to be a bit more 'relaxed' when it comes to the work ethic.

    Ireland does not have the abundant sunshine to 'tire' us, like our Mediterranean sisters, or the playground of the rich and famous to distract us, so why have we found ourselves to be part of their family?

    New York Times Article

    Eh because for the most part we're a nation of lazy chancers. For example I'd bet whatever the "After Hours" equivilant in Germany is isn't half as busy as the one on boards.ie 9-5 Mon-Fri.


  • #11
    JuliusCaesar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,886 ✭✭✭JuliusCaesar


    Kivaro wrote: »
    Ireland is now regarded as being part of PIIGS (along with Italy, Portugal, Spain and Greece), with high structural deficits matched with low prospects for the kind of economic growth and productivity improvements that can bring them back to health.

    I'd only be embarrassed if I was ever a member, supporter, or voter of FF. Who should really be FFS.


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  • #12
    caseyann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,938 ✭✭✭caseyann


    bonerm wrote: »
    Eh because for the most part we're a nation of lazy chancers. For example I'd bet whatever the "After Hours" equivilant in Germany is isn't half as busy as the one on boards.ie 9-5 Mon-Fri.

    Speak for your self self hating always good trait in some Irish.

    I personally know only reason some of them americans etc.. arent on computer on sites 24 7 in work because they are now watched with some security system:rolleyes: Other than that i know for a fact they are on it all the time during work;) The germans just dont talk much at all anyhow.


  • #13
    cleremy jarkson
    Closed Accounts Posts: 542 ✭✭✭cleremy jarkson


    Overheal wrote: »
    You're joking right?

    Actually, I also think of those countries' people as being more laid back than northern europeans with regard to work and efficiency.


  • #14
    jd007
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,094 ✭✭✭jd007


    Ultimate Chin wrote: »
    Drink
    Leftyflip wrote: »
    Feck!

    Arse!


  • #15
    Bonito
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,399 ✭✭✭Bonito


    jd007 wrote: »
    Arse!

    GIRLS!!!


  • #16
    Samir Green Bellboy
    Posts: 6,645 ✭✭✭ Samir Green Bellboy


    Irish people are incredibly lazy. I've worked abroad and couldn't get over how hard people worked compared to here. I did an internship in France and even the 15 year olds were working their asses off and asking if there was anything they could help with. Here, people try to do as little as possible and skive off home early. And I include myself in that.


  • #17
    caseyann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,938 ✭✭✭caseyann


    [quote=[Deleted User];64345054]Irish people are incredibly lazy. I've worked abroad and couldn't get over how hard people worked compared to here. I did an internship in France and even the 15 year olds were working their asses off and asking if there was anything they could help with. Here, people try to do as little as possible and skive off home early. And I include myself in that.[/QUOTE]


    Wow another one:rolleyes: As a matter of fact speak again only for your self.I know plenty of teens who want to work and aren't allowed ;) until 16 :rolleyes:
    I worked with teens in a school and they would have jumped at chance of working but aren't allowed to.I myself worked from 12 and so did my sister and my brother.All my friends worked.And all them teens i worked with when hit 16 got part time jobs some two.
    Seriously this whole ****ting on your own country and bad mouthing them is getting old in favour of other countries.Its beyond sad.
    Post edited by Boards.ie: Mike on


  • #18
    Mrmoe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,216 ✭✭✭Mrmoe


    Don't forget those lazy Mexicans:rolleyes:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvUxrc67rz0


  • #19
    schween
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 444 ✭✭schween


    Kivaro wrote: »
    Ireland is now regarded as being part of PIIGS (along with Italy, Portugal, Spain and Greece), with high structural deficits matched with low prospects for the kind of economic growth and productivity improvements that can bring them back to health.

    We were put in the PIIGS group a long time ago.


  • #20
    Overheal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,683 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    cleremy jarkson wrote: »
    Actually, I also think of those countries' people as being more laid back than northern europeans with regard to work and efficiency.
    I never referred to other Countries I referred to The Republic of Ireland located at 57^N by 7^W.

    How anyone could be in doubt about a slouch Irish work ethic is beyond me. I don't mean to antagonize, or paint hard workers with the same brush, or discriminate, but from what I've seen for every good decent honest working Irishman there is 15 other wasters right behind him. They're either smoking hash, dealing E's when they're supposed to be out handling our deliveries, at home at the dole, collecting dole while they work for cash, or an all time favorite: in the pub of which there is at least 5 in every village (but only 2 places to buy food). On the dole.

    I've seen the good honest working sort - and they are impressive - but it seems like that ethic has begun rapidly thinning out.

    Now before anybody accuses me of being racist the US has its own staggering problems with short-timers and self entitled wasters but thats another day.


  • #21
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 31,828 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    schween wrote: »
    We were put in the PIIGS group a long time ago.

    +1
    That phrase has been around for at least two years, it's very topical that are at the new york times. :rolleyes:


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  • #22
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 31,828 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Overheal wrote: »

    I've seen the good honest working sort - and they are impressive - but it seems like that ethic has begun rapidly thinning out.

    Now before anybody accuses me of being racist the US has its own staggering problems with short-timers and self entitled wasters but thats another day.

    There a whole generation here that got used to the EE's doing the shitty jobs, now not any more! When the money for benifits runs out, thry'll either work or emigrate.


  • #23
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 3,226 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Kivaro wrote: »
    Being one of the weak sisters of Europe, according to a recent NY Times article.

    Ireland is now regarded as being part of PIIGS (along with Italy, Portugal, Spain and Greece), with high structural deficits matched with low prospects for the kind of economic growth and productivity improvements that can bring them back to health.

    Now, I'm trying to figure out how Ireland got lumped in with a bunch of nations that are inherently different (culturally, geographically etc).
    I wonder why Ireland is not aligned with Northern European countries with respect to efficiency and competitiveness, but instead grouped with Southern European countries where there is a tendency to be a bit more 'relaxed' when it comes to the work ethic.

    Ireland does not have the abundant sunshine to 'tire' us, like our Mediterranean sisters, or the playground of the rich and famous to distract us, so why have we found ourselves to be part of their family?

    New York Times Article


    Why would I be embarassed? I'm not responsible for the corruption, shambolic planning and greed that brought us here. And besides I couldn't give a crap what the NY times thinks


  • #24
    markesmith
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,752 ✭✭✭markesmith


    1. Catholicism, and the attendant work ethic.
    2. Leadership, and the outlook that "politicians are all the same" / "sure I can't change anything".
    3. Cronyism, corruption, lack of ethics in government.

    We've always been in this group. A couple of factors (10% corpo tax rate for one) helped us out of there for a few years, but now we're back in there.

    We need to work on the three points above if we want to get out of the PIIG category for the long-term.


  • #25
    Dudess
    Closed Accounts Posts: 37,214 ✭✭✭✭Dudess


    I'm mortified, absolutely mortified.


  • #26
    Biggins
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    Kivaro wrote: »
    Now, I'm trying to figure out how Ireland got lumped in with a bunch of nations that are inherently different (culturally, geographically etc)...

    Does it really have to be stated? Here's a hint to one big damn reason: HERE
    (Post 32 referring to an IMF report)


  • #27
    Xluna
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,329 ✭✭✭Xluna


    Kivaro wrote: »
    Are ye embarressed?

    That would be an ecumenical matter!:mad:


  • #28
    Kivaro
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,105 ✭✭✭Kivaro


    Initially, I put it down to mis-management. But I've noticed how FF are gaining in the polls again. Then I wait for the killer punch from the opposition parties, but that ain't happening. Then you'd figure people would rise up to form a real alternative party that focused on corruption, competitiveness, law and order that dealt in reality, and a working healthcare system. Don't see any sign of that happening.


    Now I'm wondering if it's a cultural problem.


  • #29
    Hank_Jones
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,783 ✭✭✭Hank_Jones


    I'm certainly not embarrassed about the NY Times saying something like that.

    More embarrassed that we managed to get ourselves into this situation in the first place.

    Just thank your lucky stars that we weren't lumped in with Iceland.


  • #30
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 31,828 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Hank_Jones wrote: »

    Just thank your lucky stars that we weren't lumped in with Iceland.

    Just one consonant away.

    Edit: anyway, possibly one of the cleverest con tricks ever,
    attact foreign investment, then engineer a scheme where most of this wealth is transferred to the chosen few via greedy intermeditories.

    "Chosen" people invested in property in the late 90's, a massive housing boom ensured making many people extremly rich, the smart ones bailed out in the mid noughties and ran with the money - leaving the greedy ones left holding the baby & many thousands stuck in overpriced houses with negative equitity.

    The country was run like a car with a drunk at the wheel on an icy hill.


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  • #31
    InKonspikuou2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 873 ✭✭✭InKonspikuou2


    Who gives a fúck about work ethic? Why work your bollix off for some big multinational, retire in your 70's because you can't afford to retire earlier and then die when you can do feck all and still get the same money. I've had jobs since i was 16 but i've never actually worked a hard day in my life. Too much emphasis on working hard. No wonder stress exists.


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