St. Patricks day backlash

donfers · 16-03-2010 07:04PM #1

more and more it seems people are complaining about the whole paddywhackery stuff associated with this day.

Do you hate the types who carry around inflatable shamrocks or wear huge leprechaun hats and ginger beards falling around the streets drunk, having the "craic". Is that what being Irish means to you? Does that behaviour make you proud to be Irish?

I have noticed that as the Irish have become more and more popular over the years, our passport being the golden passport, others lauding us as being the soundest nicest party lovers in the world , so too are more and more critics emerging.

The criticism seems to be most loudly heard in foreign cities like London, Sydney and New York where some locals resent

a) the faux Irishness associated with the whole event, people drinking and displaying Irish stereotypes/cliches even though they have little or no Irish blood

b) the institution the day has become, no other national day has such a worldwide reach, I can't count how many times I have heard English people say "I bet they're not partying on Sr. George's day in Dublin"

So all in all how do you feel about the day, embarrassed, mortified, proud????

landsleaving · 16-03-2010 07:07PM

As long as they aren't causing trouble (like beating up tourists etc.) people can do what they want imo. It's just a bit of fun really,

PirateShampoo · 16-03-2010 07:09PM

People seem to think that just because its Paddys day it gives them the god given right to act like drunken ****'s.

muckwarrior · 16-03-2010 07:11PM

donfers wrote: »

b) the institution the day has become, no other national day has such a worldwide reach, I can't count how many times I have heard English people say "I bet they're not partying on Sr. George's day in Dublin"

Sounds like petty jealousy.

orourkeda · 16-03-2010 07:11PM

The only real issue I have is the excessive drunkenness.

I enjoy a drink as much as the next person but this is the only part of the day that has really negative consequences

fontanalis · 16-03-2010 07:14PM

orourkeda wrote: »

The only real issue I have is the excessive drunkenness.

I enjoy a drink as much as the next person but this is the only part of the day that has really negative consequences

I think this boils down to the overall attitude; get as drunk as possible in as little time as possible and boast about it as much as possible. Also there's a bit too much "admiration" for people who can drink alot too.
I also heard on the radio a few years ago about osme resort in Spain where irish people were the most hated.
It would be good to get rid of alot of cliches (the whole leprachaun nonsense).

Dudess · 16-03-2010 07:15PM

donfers wrote: »

Do you hate the types who carry around inflatable shamrocks or wear huge leprechaun hats and ginger beards falling around the streets drunk, having the "craic". Is that what being Irish means to you? Does that behaviour make you proud to be Irish?

I don't hate them, I just take no notice of them. And it certainly has absolutely no bearing on how I feel about my Irishness.

"I bet they're not partying on Sr. George's day in Dublin"

There aren't all those party clichés and, most of all, drinking, associated with St George. I don't see the need for such analysing and, it appears, resentment - if they don't like it, ignore it.

So all in all how do you feel about the day, embarrassed, mortified, proud????

I'm not a fan of the festivities - I find them tedious, so I just ignore the parade etc. However it's cool to get the day off (if you're so lucky) so I'll head out the night before if others are up for it. Sometimes people come home for it too, so it's nice to hook up with them for something to eat and a few jars on the day. I just treat it as any hungover relaxed bank holiday really.

3hn2givr7mx1sc · 16-03-2010 07:17PM

It's a bit of craic and a day to celebrate our Irishness by getting off our face drunk. You can't go breaking tradition like.:p

Overheal · 16-03-2010 07:18PM

PirateShampoo wrote: »

People seem to think that just because its Paddys day it gives them the god given right to act like drunken ****'s.

On any giving Tuesday, People seem to think they have the god given right to act like drunken ****'s. Nevermind the 17th.

OP lets go in a different direction: What makes you proud to be Irish and what about Ireland and Her People would you like to see promoted during St. Patrick's Day?

Dudess · 16-03-2010 07:19PM

fontanalis wrote: »

It would be good to get rid of alot of cliches (the whole leprachaun nonsense).

Why? I'd prefer us to be a people that can laugh at ourselves (it's a sign of self confidence) rather than take ourselves seriously. Most people know the leprauchan stuff is only a bit of messing around anyway. Stereotypes and clichés are often very funny - look at when The Simpsons visited Australia: the prime minister was Homer-esque and drinking beer in the paddling pool with his massive gut out, the bar only served beer - no coffee, etc. It's obvious those are just exaggerated depictions of Aussies, but it's still funny.

Fear Uladh · 16-03-2010 07:19PM

Be known as a nation of whinging moaners? Or a nation who know how to have fun despite the state of the economy? Come on people lighten up.

epgc3fyqirnbsx · 16-03-2010 07:20PM

I dont like to overanalyse these things, its a day off in the middle of the week, everyones out to have a good time, enjoy!
And if you dont want to go out its a good day on telly

rovert · 16-03-2010 07:20PM

Just a day for us to play to up the Americans really begorrah,begorrah

2manyconditions · 16-03-2010 07:21PM

I feel proud to be Irish.

To know that our national festival is celebrated world wide, us a small little country of only 4 million give or take. Its a testament to our nation of people and those who have immigrated recent and back the years that others celebrate our Irishness with us. "Everyones Irish on St. Patricks Day"

And for those that dismiss it as a drunken festival, scruges that what they are. Its a celebration - most drink true, but for those with families, its a great family day and a day off work

.

Irish people have a very good reputation abroad, the rasist (can't spell) and there are rasist people against Irish, Ive met one or two - in other countries refer to the drunken fighting Irish - but screw them too

PirateShampoo · 16-03-2010 07:21PM

I think its great the only way we can promte Irishness is to go out and get twisted.

brianthebard · 16-03-2010 07:22PM

donfers wrote: »

more and more it seems people are complaining about the whole paddywhackery stuff associated with this day.

Do you hate the types who carry around inflatable shamrocks or wear huge leprechaun hats and ginger beards falling around the streets drunk, having the "craic".

I have a ginger beard and I'm not even a red head. Its not negative stereotyping if its true, every Irishman has a ginger beard! :pac:

epgc3fyqirnbsx · 16-03-2010 07:24PM

Dudess wrote: »

Why? I'd prefer us to be a people that can laugh at ourselves (it's a sign of self confidence) rather than take ourselves seriously. Most people know the leprauchan stuff is only a bit of messing around anyway. Stereotypes and clichés are often very funny - look at when The Simpsons visited Australia: the prime minister was Homer-esque and drinking beer in the paddling pool with his massive gut out, the bar only served beer - no coffee, etc. It's obvious those are just exaggerated depictions of Aussies, but it's still funny.

Wise words on both a national and personal level

fontanalis · 16-03-2010 07:25PM

2manyconditions wrote: »

I feel proud to be Irish.

To know that our national festival is celebrated world wide, us a small little country of only 4 million give or take. Its a testament to our nation of people and those who have immigrated recent and back the years that others celebrate our Irishness with us. "Everyones Irish on St. Patricks Day"

And for those that dismiss it as a drunken festival, scruges that what they are. Its a celebration - most drink true, but for those with families, its a great family day and a day off work .

Irish people have a very good reputation abroad, the rasist (can't spell) and there are rasist people against Irish, Ive met one or two - in other countries refer to the drunken fighting Irish - but screw them too

On the flip side the reason a festival from a country of 4 million people is celebrated world wide is because so many people had to leave the little country throughout the years and nor for good reasons.
Sorry to be pessimistic but when you see the news about that cnut Brady you realise the negatives may outweight the positive.

mojesius · 16-03-2010 07:28PM

I am far from a teetotaller but a few times I've had to walk through town (sober) to get to work at 3-4pm on St. Patrick's Day. It was a real eye-opener, everyone over the age of 12 absolutely legless, the streets covered with a beautiful medley of puke, broken glass, cans, rubbish etc., it seemed that the vast majority (Irish and visitors alike) lost all sense of reality.

I plan on sitting in a relatively quiet local during the afternoon, enjoying a few beers in the sun with friends while all the headbangers brave town, the queues and the aforentioned madness.

As for the paddywhackery, I'm sure Carrolls generates a hefty income for revenue here. It probably sells a few Chieftains and Riverdance CDs abroad too. Let it be.

WIZE · 16-03-2010 07:32PM

I for one will be getting hammered .

Dudess · 16-03-2010 07:32PM

It's not just about the Irish any more anyway - there are floats at the parades celebrating any group you can think of. Basically, it seems to have become an annual occasion for all the peoples of the world to come together and get pissed - I personally have absolutely no problem with that.

fontanalis · 16-03-2010 07:33PM

Dudess wrote: »

It's not just about the Irish any more anyway - there are floats at the parades celebrating any group you can think of. Basically, it seems to have become an annual occasion for all the peoples of the world to come together and get pissed - I personally have absolutely no problem with that.

Definitely, I think the idea of the week long festival (wasn't that started fairly recently) was a great idea, to quote Alan Partridge "Ders more to Oirland dan dis".

dRNk SAnTA · 16-03-2010 07:45PM

Just because some skanger kids makes Dublin a no-go area after the parade doesn't mean there's nothing positive about St. Patricks Day.

We've got some bad stereotypes but there are still millions of people all over the world who've never been here but love to say they are Irish. How is that a bad thing? It's a great thing!

It's not even about being Irish, it's just a good reason to have fun and to share a day together (whether you're at home or abroad). And I love to see all our "new Irish" people, who've emigrated here from other countries, throwing on a green shirt and a green hat and getting into it.

Of course in Ireland there'll always be plenty of moaners, but to my mind the only issue on the day is with drunks and knackers and that's got more to do with lack of policing and organisation than anything else. It can be overcome, but don't knock St. Patrick's Day because because we're lucky to have it.

Thomas828 · 16-03-2010 09:30PM

To blazes with St Patrick's Day! There already is a special day for being proud to be Irish. It's every single day of the year!

antodeco · 16-03-2010 09:43PM

I'm going to get drunk, pull down my trousers and proclaim St Patrick missed a snake.

What do you call an Irish mp3 player?

A diddledee i, pod.

dave 27 · 16-03-2010 09:49PM

op how many other countries across the world can claim a worldwide celebration towards its own heritage? i'll take celebrating who we are over absolutely nothing, and if other countries want to join in then the more the merrier, let the whole world celibrate with us! who cares what we wear and what we do because thats who we are and i wouldnt have it any other way!

Run_to_da_hills · 16-03-2010 09:54PM

Its worse in America, half the country claim to be Irish. :rolleyes:

Ill simply disappear for the day and avoid the city.

Splendour · 16-03-2010 10:02PM

Saint Patricks should be about celebrating the Christianity that St. Patrick brought to our isle. The celebrations are a far cry from that... :rolleyes:

landsleaving · 16-03-2010 10:03PM

can't imagine that would go down too well right now...

brummytom · 16-03-2010 10:06PM

donfers wrote: »

, I can't count how many times I have heard English people say "I bet they're not partying on Sr. George's day in Dublin"

Well then they're morons tbh. There are far, far fewer English people in Dublin than there are Irish people throughout England; the Irish are spread throughout the world, their descendents still feel some kind of attachment to their heritage and choose to celebrate it through Paddy's Day.

English people haven't emigrated in the same way. Anyway, we don't celebrate St George's Day here.

sron · 16-03-2010 10:06PM

EDIT: ugh

St. Patricks day backlash

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