Irish people never stand up for what's right :(

Fukuyama · 01-02-2011 09:04PM #1

Why is it?

I was having a conversation with my mate today and we both agreed that Irish people never seem to stand up for the little guy against scumbags.

We've all seen security guards being hassled by big groups, or scumbags harrasing people on busses etc... even getting physical.

I can count three occasion where I've observed foreign nationals (eastern european blokes two times and an American the other) stepping in to help someone in trouble out.

The first was in a Mac Donalds when the security guard was getting pushed around by a group of around 15 lads (scum). Another on a bus when a junkie was starting on some small fella with his gf.

The most recent being outside my local mace. Group of around 20 scumbags hanging around. Started kicking the shutters. One of them (looked around 20 - bit sad tbh) tried to ram his bike into the shop at the security guard when this polish fella step in front of him and cloths-lined him off the bike (epic) and ****ed him back outside.

Never have I seen an Irish fella step into a situation.

Myself included.

Shame on us...

AnonoBoy · 01-02-2011 09:07PM

They do love a good generalisation based on three incidents that they witnessed though.

mikom · 01-02-2011 09:10PM

Dean0088 wrote: »

Irish people
eastern european
an American
polish fella

You work in passport control..... right?

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 01-02-2011 09:10PM

But you started a thread on boards baout it! FFS, what else do people want??

Alter-Ego · 01-02-2011 09:10PM

Hang back, don't be seen, don't be heard and you might just get out of this world alive.

super_furry · 01-02-2011 09:15PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2OR6Kjo5m4

We need our own version of this lad. He fights for the rights of EVERYMAN.

That's a lot of men.

Donal Og O Baelach · 01-02-2011 09:17PM

We're like a nation of David Attenboroughs.

hondasam · 01-02-2011 09:18PM

Dean0088 wrote: »

Why is it?

I was having a conversation with my mate today and we both agreed that Irish people never seem to stand up for the little guy against scumbags.

We've all seen security guards being hassled by big groups, or scumbags harrasing people on busses etc... even getting physical.

I can count three occasion where I've observed foreign nationals (eastern european blokes two times and an American the other) stepping in to help someone in trouble out.

The first was in a Mac Donalds when the security guard was getting pushed around by a group of around 15 lads (scum). Another on a bus when a junkie was starting on some small fella with his gf.

The most recent being outside my local mace. Group of around 20 scumbags hanging around. Started kicking the shutters. One of them (looked around 20 - bit sad tbh) tried to ram his bike into the shop at the security guard when this polish fella step in front of him and cloths-lined him off the bike (epic) and ****ed him back outside.

Never have I seen an Irish fella step into a situation. Myself included.

Shame on us...

you are assuming because you have never helped anyone that no body has helped.

Fukuyama · 01-02-2011 09:20PM

hondasam wrote: »

you are assuming because you have never helped anyone that no body has helped.

I have helped someone once... whilst cacking myself doing it.

But in general I think most Irish people would rather stare at their big mac than confront the elephant in the room restaurant.

hondasam · 01-02-2011 09:22PM

Dean0088 wrote: »

I have helped someone once... whilst cacking myself doing it.

But in general I think most Irish people would rather stare at their big mac than confront the elephant in the room restaurant.

depends on the situation.

mikom · 01-02-2011 09:23PM

Dean0088 wrote: »

I have helped someone once... whilst cacking myself doing it.

But in general I think most Irish people would rather stare at their big mac than confront the elephant in the room restaurant.

I'm lovin' it.

hondasam · 01-02-2011 09:26PM

mikom wrote: »

I'm lovin' it.

where is ronald when you need him :pac:

Azureus · 01-02-2011 09:27PM

My fella got jumped by a gang of English lads in Spain and a lovely Northern Irish bloke stepped in (having never met us, and while a pub full of people just watched) and helped him. So I dont agree

...

(I dont think he was aware what nationality any of us were at this stage either so it wasnt some mad politcal aggression causing him to help either :P )

lucozader · 01-02-2011 09:30PM

i think the schools have ruined irish people

in school teachers just look the other way when bullying goes on

if you stand up for someone else or yourself in school they teachers either ignore the situation or punish the good guy

you are conditioned in school that it is best to just ignore violence/scumbaggery because you just get into trouble if you do something about it. and the teachers are morons who will punish the wrong person or punish you for doing the right thing.

i can only imagine that in polish schools, teachers might actually care and support the good guy that stands up to scumbags. it certainly doesn't happen in ireland.

stateofflux · 01-02-2011 09:34PM

i think a lot of people want to ...but i know if try to help some poor chap who's getting mugged by 20 skangs...ill be the new victim and no one will help out...ive seen it happen too many times to risk my life....they have screwdrivers....you have morals....i could'nt be bothered anymore

Dudess · 01-02-2011 09:36PM

Including you OP.

RichieC · 01-02-2011 09:44PM

it's a human thing, not an Irish thing, look at the money spent annually on weapons and death machines while 21% of the planet live in extreme poverty.

Seems to be fashionable round here to make the Irish into some exceptionally bad culture, in reality we are nowhere near the worst.

Fukuyama · 01-02-2011 09:47PM

RichieC wrote: »

it's a human thing, not an Irish thing, look at the money spent annually on weapons and death machines while 21% of the planet live in extreme poverty.

Seems to be fashionable round here to make the Irish into some exceptionally bad culture, in reality we are nowhere near the worst.

From what I can see, and through knowing in particular eastern europeans, they seem to be more willing to put there balls on the line.

Fukuyama · 01-02-2011 09:49PM

Dudess wrote: »

Including you OP.

I admitted that readily in my post.

Plus I have on occasion stepped in, all be it while bricking it and attempt to actually talk to some ****ing scumbag, confused him a little and then they all left... In all liklihood my face coulda been caved in but for some reason they decided to spare me the random beating they doled out seconds earlier....

hondasam · 01-02-2011 09:54PM

Dean0088 wrote: »

I admitted that readily in my post.

Plus I have on occasion stepped in, all be it while bricking it and attempt to actually talk to some ****ing scumbag, confused him a little and then they all left... In all liklihood my face coulda been caved in but for some reason they decided to spare me the random beating they doled out seconds earlier....

"Never have I seen an Irish fella step into a situation. Myself included.

Shame on us"

This is what you said at the start, are you changing your mind ?

Fukuyama · 01-02-2011 09:59PM

hondasam wrote: »

"Never have I seen an Irish fella step into a situation. Myself included.

Shame on us"

This is what you said at the start, are you changing your mind ?

I meant I never got physical. As in I never went in a sorted some scumbags out oldskool.

But I have stepped in and somehow managed not to get the **** kicked out of me...

Jaxxy · 01-02-2011 10:01PM

You can't generalise like that OP just because both yourself and your friend(s) agreed that this was the case during a single discussion. I've often seen and had Irish men come to my aid in the past.

up for anything · 01-02-2011 10:05PM

Dean0088 wrote: »

Never have I seen an Irish fella step into a situation.

That's because you have us Irish mammies to do it for you. I've butted into situations more times than I can count. Usually lads fighting/messing on the street. The last time was a couple of months ago. I was with my kids and heading into the nearby shopping centre when I saw three lads scuffling, two of them knocked the other one down and began kicking him while he lay on the ground and protected his head with his arms. Before I knew it I was running towards them yelling at them to stop it and beside me were two other women (strangers) also wading in. The two lads scarpered and the young lad on the ground got up and left pretty quickly before security arrived. It was kind of funny because he was the older brother of my one of my son's best friends. I think he was worried I'd tell his dad.

I've also been known to screech to a halt on the road (having checked in my mirror for cars behind me) and get out to yell at lads picking on a smaller boy. Why is it that bigger lads in a crowd think it's ok to 'jokingly' hammer the smallest/youngest guy in the group and he takes it because it makes him one of the lads. I usually get a few '**** off, missus, it's none of your business' comments but nothing more threatening than that.

When I was growing up you didn't pass trouble of any sort by. Nowadays people are conditioned not to interfere because they might get more than a smack. I'd love a kukri - I'd become Charlene Bronson if I had one of those.

RussellTuring · 01-02-2011 10:07PM

I think most people would not only be afraid of getting hurt themselves, but of escalating the level of violence and getting both themselves and the original victim hurt worse than might have happened had they looked away.

I have on more than one occasion stepped-in to help someone who was in trouble and have at times gotten punished for it myself. However, if I see someone in trouble and I think I can help, I'll do it. Not only for that person but to be seen to do it. I'd like to think that if I were in that situation, someone else would help me and by being seen to help out someone else, I might change other people's attitudes, even if not very likely.

OP, if you really feel how you say then next time you see one of these incidents happening, maybe you should ignore that voice of self-preservation in your head screaming at you to cover your own backside and make a stand. You may very well get your head kicked-in but at least you can say you've tried. If you'd rather not risk your own safety then you'll get no criticism from me but don't feel like you have the right to criticise others who feel as you do.

Edit: Oh I'm Irish, by the way.

Praetorian Saighdiuir · 01-02-2011 10:14PM

Iv stood up for the little guy plenty of times. Id imagine a lot of people have too. Just because you dont see it doesnt mean it doesnt happen.

I have been the little guy on a few occasions too, and I believe you should always stand up for yourself no matter what the situation.

ascanbe · 01-02-2011 10:15PM

lucozader wrote: »

i think the schools have ruined irish people

in school teachers just look the other way when bullying goes on

if you stand up for someone else or yourself in school they teachers either ignore the situation or punish the good guy

you are conditioned in school that it is best to just ignore violence/scumbaggery because you just get into trouble if you do something about it. and the teachers are morons who will punish the wrong person or punish you for doing the right thing.

i can only imagine that in polish schools, teachers might actually care and support the good guy that stands up to scumbags. it certainly doesn't happen in ireland.

You attended every school in the country, did you?

Taco Corp · 01-02-2011 10:18PM

RussellTuring wrote: »

I think most people would not only be afraid of getting hurt themselves, but of escalating the level of violence and getting both themselves and the original victim hurt worse than might have happened had they looked away.

This plus the fact that the good guy so often gets screwed in this country whereas the bad guy often gets away with it.

Gneez · 01-02-2011 10:18PM

I've never stuck my neck out for anybody or helped anyone in trouble but that's most likely because I'm from Limerick and filled with hatred than any other reason.

lucozader · 01-02-2011 10:30PM

ascanbe wrote: »

You attended every school in the country, did you?

are you a school teacher ? Either that or a bullying scumbag. One or the other.

ascanbe · 01-02-2011 10:46PM

lucozader wrote: »

are you a school teacher ? Either that or a bullying scumbag. One or the other.

Definitely not one and pretty sure i'm not the other.
Have a relative who is a teacher, though.
Just feel that you shouldn't tar an entire profession with the same brush. That might have been your experience in an Irish school: and if it was, it shouldn't have been.
Not right to label all teachers as being the same on that basis, though.

starbelgrade · 01-02-2011 11:15PM

I once saw a scumbag snatch an elderly woman's purse, so I drove after him & as he was running across the road, I knocked him over & recovered the purse.

Well, actually he wasn't exactly a scumbag & he didn't really rob a purse, but he was crossing the road & I did run him over.

Irish people never stand up for what's right :(

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