Unpopular Opinions.

Jazzmaster · 24-02-2013 04:16AM

Noone involved with the GAA should be allowed to use the word "guy". If you want to use it then f off and play rugby.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 24-02-2013 04:28AM

Rasheed wrote: »

I still think he raised a good question. Nothing to do with teachers salary or any of that craic, more the level of Irish most students have. I don't agree that it's the teachers fault, how can 90% of teachers be bad at teaching this specific subject?

Why is it this specific subject, though? Why, if the teachers are to blame, are they ablet oteach every other subject perfectly okay?

That is the only problem I had with his post: he wasn't commenting on the state of the language, he was attacking teachers. Proven by the fact that he later said English was also taught badly and yet being completely unable to say why. Blaming this on teachers' salaries is bull****.

Everything else in your post I agree with.

Rasheed · 24-02-2013 04:39AM

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Why is it this specific subject, though?

That is the only problem I had with his post: he wasn't commenting on the state of the language, he was attacking teachers. Proven by the fact that he later said English was also taught badly and yet being completely unable to say why. Blaming this on teachers' salaries is bull****.

Everything else in your post I agree with.

I'm honestly baffled at the the level of Irish with most students and I'm putting myself in that category too, since so much time goes into teaching it. No other subject seems to produce as much hatred when learning it! I talked many times with my teacher friends regarding it and they can't answer it either.

It's just a pity, I do think it's lovely to be able to speak/ read it.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 24-02-2013 04:45AM

Rasheed wrote: »

I'm honestly baffled at the the level of Irish with most students and I'm putting myself in that category too, since so much time goes into teaching it. No other subject seems to produce as much hatred when learning it! I talked many times with my teacher friends regarding it and they can't answer it either.

It's just a pity, I do think it's lovely to be able to speak/ read it.

Can't stand it meself, but that's neitehr here nor there

.

There are two probelms
1 - The syllabus. It's not really geared towards learning to speak a language, it's more of a subject that is used to pass tests.
2- Society. Kids simply don't have enough of an outlet outside of school to use it and therefore they see it as useless. The use maths, they use English, the even use geogrpahy and history every now and again, but rarely if ever Irish.

Rasheed · 24-02-2013 04:54AM

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Can't stand it meself, but that's neitehr here nor there .

There are two probelms
1 - The syllabus. It's not really geared towards learning to speak a language, it's more of a subject that is used to pass tests.
2- Society. Kids simply don't have enough of an outlet outside of school to use it and therefore they see it as useless. The use maths, they use English, the even use geogrpahy and history every now and again, but rarely if ever Irish.

Definitely agree with the syllabus being at fault and that the only plus people see in Irish is points in the leaving and the society with having no place to be encouraged to speak it.

I don't know about the useless part, yes it's useless on a global scale but I haven't used geometry or a lot of that kind of blasted maths in my every day life!

Paddy Cow · 24-02-2013 05:21AM

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Can't stand it meself, but that's neitehr here nor there .

There are two probelms
1 - The syllabus. It's not really geared towards learning to speak a language, it's more of a subject that is used to pass tests.
2- Society. Kids simply don't have enough of an outlet outside of school to use it and therefore they see it as useless. The use maths, they use English, the even use geogrpahy and history every now and again, but rarely if ever Irish.

It's also crazy that you have to have it to access certain courses. Why on earth is it necessary to have Leaving Cert Irish to do an engineering course which is basically maths and science?

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 24-02-2013 05:28AM

Rasheed wrote: »

Definitely agree with the syllabus being at fault and that the only plus people see in Irish is points in the leaving and the society with having no place to be encouraged to speak it.

I don't know about the useless part, yes it's useless on a global scale but I haven't used geometry or a lot of that kind of blasted maths in my every day life!

Ah, now, I never said it was useless - I said primary school kids see it as useless! It's all very well having this debate with me, but how do you convince a 10-year-old kid that it has value outsiee of the classeoom?

dizzywizlw · 24-02-2013 01:55PM

Mardy Bum wrote: »

Parents need to stop blaming teachers (obviously criticism in some circumstances is valid) and actively start helping their kids learn whether it be reading a book with them every night or checking over their homework.

Learning is not something which starts at 9.30 and stops at 3.00. It is up to parents to place a greater interest in their children's education. Intelligence is malleable and children should know this from a young age and should be encouraged for their effort. It's not a call for summer schools but it is a call for parents to at least make an effort with helping their children to learn especially at primary school.

From my experience (as one who was read to and encouraged as a child) learning rarely starts at 9 and runs until 3

I can name on one hand the number of non incompetent teacher at my old schools of 40+ teachers. Parents aren't doing their jobs true enough in many cases but teachers and the syllabus are utter ****. Look at French and German ffs and compare it with European learning of English or indeed maths, chemistry, history.

Talking about firing lazy civil/public servants, cast an eye on the DOE first.

The_Kew_Tour · 24-02-2013 02:30PM

If I dont do my job right in the morning then I get sacked. I dont get a year to prove myself. I dont see why teachers should not get same treatment.

I had a German teacher for 5th and 6th year who basically had more interest in talking about the Soaps on the night before and dont get me started on the amount of times she came in with Hangover. How I did Higher Level Paper was not down to her and in fairness I cant go asking my Dad or Mother to teach me when they have no word of it. 10+ years on and she is still there.

Blame Parents if Children are not doing homework or being lazy, but you cant expect them to do something that they cant do and if teacher cant do it in first place.

Rasheed · 24-02-2013 03:33PM

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Ah, now, I never said it was useless - I said primary school kids see it as useless! It's all very well having this debate with me, but how do you convince a 10-year-old kid that it has value outsiee of the classeoom?

Very hard. Again the syllabus needs to be looked at I suppose, to make it fun rather than 'you have to learn this amount of verbs' and as you said, that they'd be able to converse in it rather than just be able to write about 'scamall sa spéir' and 'thit mé as mo róthar' that seem to be in every essay and letter I wrote in primary and secondary!

Mardy Bum · 24-02-2013 04:06PM

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

If I dont do my job right in the morning then I get sacked. I dont get a year to prove myself. I dont see why teachers should not get same treatment.

They do. You make it a lot simpler than it actually is also. If you don't do your job in the morning you will get a warning. If you do it repeatedly you will be sacked. Teachers face the same consequences and it is one of the reasons the Teaching Council was set up for.

Schooling has changed massively, and currently is undergoing a huge change, since the majority of people who posts on boards went to school. There seems however to be a discord in the communication of these changes and people same to be applying the same standards of a bygone age.

Mardy Bum · 24-02-2013 04:08PM

dizzywizlw wrote: »

From my experience (as one who was read to and encouraged as a child) learning rarely starts at 9 and runs until 3

I can name on one hand the number of non incompetent teacher at my old schools of 40+ teachers.

You must have had a lot of teachers during secondary school if you know all their teaching capabilities.

dizzywizlw · 24-02-2013 05:38PM

Mardy Bum wrote: »

You must have had a lot of teachers during secondary school if you know all their teaching capabilities.

Had 15 different on junior cycle 10 in transition year and 5 different in senior cycle.

I would call that a statistically sound sample.

mewithoutyou · 24-02-2013 06:47PM

I really hate when people shun me when I describe black people as being black. A black person is a black person, end of. This isn't racist it is simply just stating the obvious.

Madam_X · 24-02-2013 07:03PM

Hating the current government involves little to no thought, it's just a "Durrrr... they're in power, we must be hostile to them" kinda thing. All these calls for a decent government (by people not doing an iota themselves) - no matter who's in government, there'll be the same hostility to them. Rebellious teenager mindset. And if you challenge this lack of thought, you're automatically a FG supporter. Well I'm not, and never have been. What do the naysayers suggest? Nothing. Because they always expect other people to suggest alternatives. They moan about "the Irish" being apathetic, oblivious to the irony of them being part of that very group they decry.

The current government was handed a basketcase (much of it caused by ordinary people), the problems stem from before they entered government, but it's so easy just to whinge...

El Inho · 24-02-2013 07:17PM

Ryanair should be heralded as Ireland greatest success story. I fly with them 6-8 times a year as does my girlfriend and neither of us has ever had a complaint to make.

The reason for this is realising there are rules in place when flying Ryanair that must be followed. The majority if not all complaints people make surround mistakes that the passenger themselves have made.

It bugs me beyond belief that people complain about Ryanair constantly in what must be a monkey see monkey do way as a typical nation of begrudgers.

This ladies and gentlemen is my unpopular opinion, one I know is shared by a lot more people than will admit it.

Madam_X · 24-02-2013 07:22PM

There are merits to the Ryanair business model, but in some people's opinions (people who are not begrudgers and not the types to blame everyone else but themselves) it has its flaws too.

Another unpopular opinion:

Calling Ireland a "nation of begrudgers" is lazy and unfair and a lie. Naturally those who say it (usually Irish people) aren't including themselves.

El Inho · 24-02-2013 07:30PM

Madam_X wrote: »

There are merits to the Ryanair business model, but in some people's opinions (people who are not begrudgers and not the types to blame everyone else but themselves) it has its flaws too.

Another unpopular opinion:

Calling Ireland a "nation of begrudgers" is lazy and unfair and a lie. Naturally those who say it (usually Irish people) aren't including themselves.

well I've had a vast amount of arguments with people giving out about ryanair, and every single time it starts with, i was only 5 minutes late or ends with and they forced me to check the bag because it wouldnt fit...

imo there are many people who simply enjoy having a good complain about something that they believe everyone else wants to complain about.

i'd be very surprised to hear of a vast quantity of complaints against ryanair for something that was within their control...sure ive had a flight delayed...but sure every airline does that. the vast amount of complaint come from issues which are the customers own fault.

Madam_X · 24-02-2013 07:35PM

El Spearo wrote: »

imo there are many people who simply enjoy having a good complain about something that they believe everyone else wants to complain about.

I agree with that. E.g. those complaints on Facebook to a company's page with thousands of drones liking it without having a clue of the full story, when it could well be the fault of the customer themselves, as well as being not entirely true. But you just get all these sheep seeing a complaint and jumping on the bandwagon, because they enjoy moaning and heckling basically.

I think sometimes though, Ryanair abuses its "no nonsense" policy. It's not in a company's interest to be completely inflexible.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 24-02-2013 07:35PM

El Spearo wrote: »

well I've had a vast amount of arguments with people giving out about ryanair, and every single time it starts with, i was only 5 minutes late or ends with and they forced me to check the bag because it wouldnt fit...

imo there are many people who simply enjoy having a good complain about something that they believe everyone else wants to complain about.

i'd be very surprised to hear of a vast quantity of complaints against ryanair for something that was within their control...sure ive had a flight delayed...but sure every airline does that. the vast amount of complaint come from issues which are the customers own fault.

"They NEVER told me I had to print of my own boarding pass" followed by, "why doee it cost 40 euro to print off one peice of paper?!"

No idea, but thank you for subsidising the cost of my flight

.

El Inho · 24-02-2013 07:38PM

Madam_X wrote: »

I think sometimes though, Ryanair abuses its "no nonsense" policy. It's not in a company's interest to be completely inflexible.

well it works well for them. and when i hear someone say i would never fly ryanair again etc. a part of me says thank god, one less complainer.

like they think they have conquered ryanair by spending more on flights...like i realise my opinions are ridiculously strong, to the point where i have actually developed brand loyalty towards ryanair.

anyway, just wanted to get this off my chest because it really really bugs me! figured this thread was the place. :P

El Inho · 24-02-2013 07:46PM

its even got my into verbal fights with family members because i follow the ryanair approach of 'yes, but technically you were in the wrong'

im sure someday i will be in the wrong myself, and on that day i will blame myself and not ruin some poor persons day in the airport.

i can only imagine how much of ryanair staffs 'bad attitude' comes from customers being a holes.

The_Kew_Tour · 24-02-2013 07:46PM

El Spearo wrote: »

well it works well for them. and when i hear someone say i would never fly ryanair again etc. a part of me says thank god, one less complainer.

like they think they have conquered ryanair by spending more on flights...like i realise my opinions are ridiculously strong, to the point where i have actually developed brand loyalty towards ryanair.

anyway, just wanted to get this off my chest because it really really bugs me! figured this thread was the place. :P

Every airline has a certain standard of poor delays etc but when it happens Ryanair they get the usual crap cause it's seen as a joke of airline.

It ain't and far from it but people want to grumble about something.

The prices of Trains and standard of fares are far worse then any airline but few have said anything on this.

El Inho · 24-02-2013 07:54PM

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Every airline has a certain standard of poor delays etc but when it happens Ryanair they get the usual crap cause it's seen as a joke of airline.

It ain't and far from it but people want to grumble about something.

The prices of Trains and standard of fares are far worse then any airline but few have said anything on this.

another thing ive noticed is people complaining about the cleanliness factor...ryanair are considerably cleaner than any other transport ive taken, and thats not factoring in the fact they are undergoing extremely heavy usage.

also i think that a mars muffin and pringles for €4 was a good price :P

24-02-2013 07:56PM

Any of ye ryanair lovers have been stranded in an airport because ryanair cancelled your flight?
I have. They stranded me and 200 others in the middle of France. Plane never took off and only 60 lucky people had the opportunity to get a free flight to Liverpool (IN ENGLAND...WHEN THE CUSTOMERS DEPARTED SHANNON!)
no compensation was given because apparenty it was too wet for our plane to land..therefore "out of their control"
The other people who didn't fly to Liverpool either got a train to Paris to fly from there or waited a few days for the next flight home.

All costs, incl hotel stays and taxi transfers were borne by the customers because they didn't pay for ryanair insurance. We were lucky enough to have holiday insurance which we claimed some of the expenses back

El Inho · 24-02-2013 08:00PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Any of ye ryanair lovers have been stranded in an airport because ryanair cancelled your flight?
I have. They stranded me and 200 others in the middle of France. Plane never took off and only 60 lucky people had the opportunity to get a free flight to Liverpool (IN ENGLAND...WHEN THE CUSTOMERS DEPARTED SHANNON!)
no compensation was given because apparenty it was too wet for our plane to land..thrrefore "out of their control"
The other people who didn't fly to Liverpool either got a train to Paris to fly from there or waited a few days for the next flight home. All costs were borne by the customers because they didn't pay for ryanair insurance.

and i can guarentee somewhere in there people were complaining with redrage missing their chance to simplify the situation. again the example i want to give is that this is one case...how many times have you flown with them? the shear volume of ryanair flights versus complaints i would imagine is very very very good.

I've flown probably upwards of 25-30 times and the worst thing to every happen was i forgot that i had apple juice in my bag one time so the air port security took it off me...actually thats not ryanair that security...and my own fault....the worst thing was they didnt have steps at the back of the plane..though thats probably the airports fault.

The_Kew_Tour · 24-02-2013 08:02PM

bezka wrote: »

Any of ye ryanair lovers have been stranded in an airport because ryanair cancelled your flight?
I have. They stranded me and 200 others in the middle of France. Plane never took off and only 60 lucky people had the opportunity to get a free flight to Liverpool (IN ENGLAND...WHEN THE CUSTOMERS DEPARTED SHANNON!)
no compensation was given because apparenty it was too wet for our plane to land..thrrefore "out of their control"
The other people who didn't fly to Liverpool either got a train to Paris to fly from there or waited a few days for the next flight home. All costs were borne by the customers because they didn't pay for ryanair insurance.

I have but I have also been stranded with about 15 others then again I had a job for 2 years where I travelled world so I saw good bad and ugly and Plane dependent.

El Inho · 24-02-2013 08:05PM

and my final large point to make is the safety record. Ryanairs business plan means they upgrade their planes more than anyone...so the next time you worry about not making a landing when its too wet, maybe be happy they had the sense to avoid 'get it there' syndrome.

24-02-2013 08:11PM

El Spearo wrote: »

and i can guarentee somewhere in there people were complaining with redrage missing their chance to simplify the situation. again the example i want to give is that this is one case...how many times have you flown with them? the shear volume of ryanair flights versus complaints i would imagine is very very very good.

I've done 2 successful return flights plus the half one I've already mentioned.
I get the point your making about people getting punished for being ignorant of the rules. Honestly though, we had followed all these little rules. Ryanair were just being obnoxious and that is why I can feel sympathy for people when their flight goes arseways completely due to ryanair.

The week after we got home other people on the flight were on Today FM ranting about it. It was a genuine case were it was ryanairs fault.

Saying that though, they are a company I admire for the reasons you have mentioned. You just really gave to be in a situation were they treat you like crap to understand.

The_Kew_Tour · 24-02-2013 08:14PM

El Spearo wrote: »

and my final large point to make is the safety record. Ryanairs business plan means they upgrade their planes more than anyone...so the next time you worry about not making a landing when its too wet, maybe be happy they had the sense to avoid 'get it there' syndrome.

If I could thank twice.

I remember flying into Tbilisi airport in Georgia and wondered how I did not end up a statistic one time.

I have felt uncomfortable on many airlines and no flight involved Ryanair.

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