Does Ireland need to Lighten Up?

AudreyHepburn · 24-05-2011 04:20PM

ejmaztec wrote: »

I think that you should lighten up and stop moaning.

Ah I'm not really moaning, just wondering where the harm in enjoying ourselves now and again is

ISDW · 24-05-2011 04:20PM

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

This is all I am really saying. What is wrong with cracking a smile once in a while?

Absolutely nothing. You only get one life, whats the point in being miserable all the time?

stovelid · 24-05-2011 04:20PM

thebigbiffo wrote: »

half the reason this country is in such a s'hit state is down to the pessimistic, gloomy outlook so many people in the country have at the moment. .

Sweet lantern divine mother of Jaysus.

AudreyHepburn · 24-05-2011 04:21PM

stovelid wrote: »

Sweet lantern divine mother of Jaysus.

While I wouldn't say it is the reason we are in a mess, I do think it makes getting out of it harder.

jimthemental · 24-05-2011 04:21PM

We do need to lighten up but we also have to remember that Jedward are our latest cultural development, we have such a national deficit that we may never be able to pay the bailout and the only thing going to stop our young and highly skilled graduates emigrating is an Icelandic Ash cloud which will also negate any possible increase in tourism thanks to Obama.

ISDW · 24-05-2011 04:23PM

Look how far we've moved on, now when countries are fcked, governments arrange Presidential and royal visits. In the past, they would have started wars to cut down on the population and get nationalistic pride going.

stovelid · 24-05-2011 04:25PM

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

While I wouldn't say it is the reason we are in a mess, I do think it makes getting out of it harder.

What's your life situation by the way?

Working? Unemployed? Own place? Kids? Health?

Worried about any of the above?

Perhaps you could share your top tips on mentally projecting yourself beyond the clutches of unemployment, USC, and emigration?

If either of the aggressive optimists on this thread have voted FF in the last 10 years, the joke will be even better.

What are any of you doing that beyond platitudes and flag-waving? What strategy are you advancing except a kind of blind, spastic optimism?

At least I - and others - can say that we never countenanced voting for the policies of the last 15 years even if it meant putting a few quid in our pockets.

And we're supposed to be the negative ones?

Dravokivich · 24-05-2011 04:26PM

Gunsfortoys wrote: »

People should be severely punished for throwing the word "begrudgery" around.

Yeah, it's just like the way "Random" has become a lot more frequent.

With regards to lightening up overall, I see no need of it. End of the day the tension that would of shown lately as far as I can see has all been superficial. Taken everything thats been said too literally in an over-zealous agressive manner. And has been consistantly like that since the re-vote on lisbon and with the recession kicking in.

It's not representative of what I want, or what anyone I know wants.

I recognise Obama's speech for what it was intended as, a morale booster. To be honest, it was a welcome relief to hear something that was spun with positivity, as opposed to pointing out negativity in someone/thing else. Which tends to be all I hear or read from Irish politicians lately.

Which is why I don't think we need to lighten up, just lighten the load.

thebigbiffo · 24-05-2011 04:27PM

stovelid wrote: »

Sweet lantern divine mother of Jaysus.

it's true. 7% of all income was saved in 2006, now it's closer 22%. if you can't see the obvious 'problem' (context) in that then your not in much of a position to condesend.

jimthemental · 24-05-2011 04:28PM

ISDW wrote: »

Look how far we've moved on, now when countries are fcked, governments arrange Presidential and royal visits. In the past, they would have started wars to cut down on the population and get nationalistic pride going.

They don't need to start a war the population is going overseas. Some of my friends are going today, I'll only be here another 6 or 7 weeks myself. I tried to be upbeat but I just have to say fúck it I'm gone.

AudreyHepburn · 24-05-2011 04:29PM

stovelid wrote: »

What's your life situation by the way?

Working? Unemployed? Own place? Kids? Health?

Worried about any of the above?

Perhaps you could share your top tips on mentally projecting yourself beyond the clutches of unemployment, USC, and emigration?

If either of the aggressive optimists on this thread have voted FF in the last 10 years, the joke will be even better.

Unemployed at present, looking for work all the time. But I refuse to get down about it, I don't want to drive myself into a depression. I alway say if a job is for me it won't pass me by.

Constantly feeling sorry for myself won't get me work any quicker.

I hate FF by the way, but thats irrelevant.

ascanbe · 24-05-2011 04:30PM

No. We should become even more sullen and down-cast so to attract more investors/the ladies.

TheZohanS · 24-05-2011 04:32PM

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

Unemployed at present, looking for work all the time. But I refuse to get down about it, I don't want to drive myself into a depression. I alway say if a job is for me it won't pass me by.

Constantly feeling sorry for myself won't get me work any quicker.

I hate FF by the way, but thats irrelevant.

So you're living at home? No mortgage? No bills etc etc?

FinnLizzy · 24-05-2011 04:32PM

I was out the night of the Eurovision at a gig.
Anyways, myself and the girlfriend got a lift home with my mum who had been watching the Eurovision.
Me: "...I'm glad Jedward didn't win, I'd never hear the end of the bastards if they did!"
Mum: "So would you rather people talk about the recession then?"

..My point is, that people who are make any sort of negative comment on what alot of people see as happiness, and rainbows, and Obama, and all things lovely, are shot down as 'moaners' and 'begrudgers'.

stovelid · 24-05-2011 04:33PM

thebigbiffo wrote: »

it's true. 7% of all income was saved in 2006, now it's closer 22%. if you can't see the obvious 'problem' (context) in that then your not in much of a position to condesend.

I don't understand what you mean by this?

jimthemental · 24-05-2011 04:34PM

Have to say I didn't agree with Stovelid about our reaction to Obama and all that as I thought it was a morale boost we needed. However, I am going to stand by allot of what was said here as the country is screwed for the moment no matter if were depressed or in blissful ignorance about it. All this talk of begrudging has to stop, it is aside from some extreme views a realistic assessment of our situation.

AudreyHepburn · 24-05-2011 04:34PM

TheZohan wrote: »

So you're living at home? No mortgage? No bills etc etc?

Yes, but I would love to have my own place. It is not ideal to have to depend my folks at 24.

But I try to stay positive, getting down won't making changing my situation any easier.

But that's just me.

hondasam · 24-05-2011 04:34PM

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

Ah I'm not really moaning, just wondering where the harm in enjoying ourselves now and again is

you can't please all the people all the time.

We do not see things as they are. We see them as we are.

ISDW · 24-05-2011 04:35PM

stovelid wrote: »

What's your life situation by the way?

Working? Unemployed? Own place? Kids? Health?

Worried about any of the above?

Perhaps you could share your top tips on mentally projecting yourself beyond the clutches of unemployment, USC, and emigration?

If either of the aggressive optimists on this thread have voted FF in the last 10 years, the joke will be even better.

What are any of you doing that beyond platitudes and flag-waving? What strategy are you advancing except a kind of blind, spastic optimism?

At least I - and others - can say that we never countenanced voting for the policies of the last 15 years even if it meant putting a few quid in our pockets.

And we're supposed to be the negative ones?

Don't know if I'm one of the 'aggressive optimists' but no, have never voted FF and never will. I live in an old cottage that I was lucky enough to buy outright, but thats because I didn't spend all my money on a brand new, big house and all mod cons. Am unemployed, but luckily don't have a mortgage. However, also don't have the money needed to do this house up, and repair things when they break but the roof doesn't leak (yet) and we have enough food. I don't have a nice car, but we can get around in the van. So I'm not somebody who went overboard in the good times, I was very, very lucky with buying and selling houses, bought a flat in London at the right time, sold it on, bought a house, etc. But then bought this place when most people wouldn't give it a second look.

I'm not saying, and I don't think the OP is either, that we should all rejoice in the current situation, but whats wrong with people being happy with events when they happen, and having a bit of escapism from their lives if only for a few days or a week?

Gunsfortoys · 24-05-2011 04:39PM

Thanks OP for the positive injection we so sorely needed.

Nothing like being chastised to chase the negative begrudgery away.

Babooshka · 24-05-2011 04:43PM

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

I am starting this in response to the threads on the visit of Barack Obama but I could actually site any number of threads.

The amount of begrudgery in this country recently is tbh a little bit shocking.

Whether it is Jedward or President Obama it seems that there are some people who just cannot abide anything that brings a smile to people's face. They are simply too fond of this 'oh woe is us' attitude.

I know we are struggling financially at the moment, I am one of the many trying to look for work. But honestly wallowing in self pity and bemoaning each and every good thing that happens is not going to get us anywhere.

Being in a recession does mean we have be perpetually unhappy, cynical or constantly moaning.

Ireland really needs to lighten up a little imho.

What do you think.

The planet would not have some of the funniest comedians and writers if it wasn't for the healthy doses of cynicism we lovingly allow to fester inside ourselves, not just Irish, but yes, there's so many Irish people who do it very well.

Billy Connolly...Dylan Moran, and Bill Hicks ... these are some of the most cynical people I've ever come accross, and I'd never change them (well Bill is dead so maybe I'd change him for a live version again:)). Difference is, they've done something with their cynicism and aren't just hiding in their bedrooms ranting on a forums board. I would not take all on board that you read around here (pardon pun). If you met half of the people who post up the sh*t that annoys you, you'd probably feel sorry for them.

So, no, Ireland doesn't need to lighten up, that's what I think.
But I could be wrong. I hate the rain and the gloom, and I think Ireland makes me a moany cynical unpleasant sometimes, then I have to turn to one of my comedians to cheer me up out of it. I don't feel I need to lighten up though, as there's room for all. Is what it is, and all that.

As a last thought on it I would say, there are theTimmy Mallets and the Bill Hicks of this world, and I know who I'd rather be stuck in a lift with in order to come out with a little bit of sanity left.

stovelid · 24-05-2011 04:43PM

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

Yes, but I would love to have my own place. It is not ideal to have to depend my folks at 24.

But I try to stay positive, getting down won't making changing my situation any easier.

But that's just me.

OK, I was probably blowing a gasket back there.

Nobody likes to be looking for work and you have my symapthies.

Would you, however, accept that your situation, in many ways, insulates you from the situations that are causing the most anger and fear among the citizens of this country: those who are paying mortgages/rents, relying on the health system and bringing up famlies etc.

Can you accept that people being told by a 24 year old - who is living at home with their parents - to ligthen up may seem a little out of touch with how they are feeeling at this minute?

Best of luck with the job search. I'm not having a go at you personally.

Sykk · 24-05-2011 04:48PM

Yes and no. I think people need to be more firm when it comes to our own country in the like - Fianna fail ****ing the country over, not jailing the bankers and people responsible for the economic meltdown, no one cares to protest or demand such things.

However, people would much rather just crawl into their shell and shout out at people trying to get on with their lives. The amount of negativity is disgusting - It seems they try to deprive or look down on others who enjoy things that they don't. A lot of people would moan regardless of how good things are.

They're the ones that need to lighten up.

AudreyHepburn · 24-05-2011 04:51PM

stovelid wrote: »

OK, I was probably blowing a gasket back there.

Nobody likes to be looking for work and you have my symapthies.

Would you, however, accept that your situation, in many ways, insulates you from the situations that are causing the most anger and fear among the citizens of this country: those who are paying mortgages/rents, relying on the health system and bringing up famlies etc.

Can you accept that people being told by a 24 year old - who is living at home with their parents - to ligthen up may seem a little out of touch with how they are feeeling at this minute?

Best of luck with the job search. I'm not having a go at you personally.

So my points have no value then? Gee thanks.

My age is irrelevant and I am not at home by choice.

AudreyHepburn · 24-05-2011 04:52PM

Gunsfortoys wrote: »

Thanks OP for the positive injection we so sorely needed.

Nothing like being chastised to chase the negative begrudgery away.

Sigh.......not chastising anyone.

Just wondering why it is so difficult to let people enjoy themselves now and again.

TheZohanS · 24-05-2011 04:52PM

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

Yes, but I would love to have my own place. It is not ideal to have to depend my folks at 24.

But I try to stay positive, getting down won't making changing my situation any easier.

But that's just me.

God that sounds terrible. Sometimes we hear so much about people having it tough these days we tend to look at them as statistics, thank you for putting a face to the real hardship that exists in Ireland and is encountered by real people every day.

Stay brave!

AudreyHepburn · 24-05-2011 04:54PM

TheZohan wrote: »

God that sounds terrible. Sometimes we hear so much about people having it tough these days we tend to look at them as statistics, thank you for putting a face to the real hardship that exists in Ireland and is encountered by real people every day.

Stay brave!

Condscending and arrogant much?

I know I'm lucky in many ways, but equally I'd rather not be forced to depend on my parents in my mid-twenties.

Cathaoirleach · 24-05-2011 04:56PM

The usual percentage of miserable, unhappy Boardsies that despise anything Irish or anything that puts Ireland under a positive light, and continuously try and put the rest of us down.

You people need to get laid and/or GTFOff this island and shut the fúck up.

stovelid · 24-05-2011 04:57PM

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

So my points have no value then? Gee thanks.

When you start dishing out corny pep-talks to people who actually have financial responsiblities, yes.

TheZohanS · 24-05-2011 04:58PM

stovelid wrote: »

When you start dishing out corny pep-talks to people who actually have financial responsiblities, yes.

FYP.

Does Ireland need to Lighten Up?

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