Is Ireland depressed?

Maybe they need to stop fluoridating the water and start prozacing it instead.

I blame The Germans

ruaille buaille wrote: »

I've returned to Ireland after living abroad for the past few years. I can't help but notice that people in general seem to be depressed. All we seem to talk about is the recession, how we've no money, theres no jobs etc etc.
Nobody wants to go out anymore. Even if you suggest things that cost little or no money. People actually seem to want to stay in at home all the time. I understand that things are tough at the moment, I am looking for work now aswell and its not easy. Just feel that peoples attitudes make it worse.

Yeah, I think Ireland in general is depressed in its own way. I run into the same problems, people just don't want to 'get out there', have a good ol' chat, partake in some interesting or outdoor activity that's free or else very cheap. Sometimes its unduly hard to keep in contact with people too and when you meet up its the same old routine, nothing's changing.

With Irish men especially, I think there are more serious problems. I work with a social/cultural organisation that helps men deal with the problems of the times we now find ourselves in, yet it's the same old faces helping, acting, putting themselves out there. Nobody seems to want to help themselves, to pull themselves off the ground, they are just 'acceptant' of the unacceptable.

I guess when you working a routine, unenlightening job all day/no job, you go home and are flooded by a sea of video games, pRon, FB, and tv sports it's going to have a bad effect on the mind. It's basically living in isolation. It's not meant to be this way. Where is the society, brotherhood and self-progression?

I'm not depressed. I'm really just underwhelmed by things that seem to excite other people. I think the OP and other travellers who come back mistake re-entry shock for a societal shift in their home place. In other words, we haven't changed you have.

ruaille buaille wrote: »

I've returned to Ireland after living abroad for the past few years. I can't help but notice that people in general seem to be depressed. All we seem to talk about is the recession, how we've no money, theres no jobs etc etc.
Nobody wants to go out anymore. Even if you suggest things that cost little or no money. People actually seem to want to stay in at home all the time. I understand that things are tough at the moment, I am looking forfor work now aswell and its not easy. Just feel that peoples attitudes make it worse.

It's the first thing I noticed when I moved to London. Pretty much everyone was giving out about something in Ireland and it's not like the UK is doing great either.

I'm a very cheery optimistic person but I can only imagine what all that moaning does to people that are depressed or feeling down.

ruaille buaille wrote: »

Yes that is exactly what I'm thinking. People are living in isolation. I know so many people who have just stopped going out and socialising. The few people I know who do go out are only interested in going out pubbing or clubbing on a saturday night. Nobody really wants to go for a walk etc.
I think part of the problem is that people feel too comfortable at home being on the internet rather than going out. It also annoys me that people dont talk about their hopes, dreams and what they want to do with their life. I know it seems a bit 'American' but I think people generally need to believe in themselves more and be more positive and stop hiding away.

Well, I've no problem in getting people out for a drink on the week-end myself either - but yes, I see the exact same situation you've commented on.

If anything else other than drinks is suggested, it seems you are 'dragging people out of their comfort zone', from the warmth of their stead or the easiness of a languid night spent indoors. Polite excuses are the way of it, without sounding too judgmental, but I just find it such an uphill battle in persuading people who just aren't otherwise interested that I leave them to themselves as regard to suggesting anything too exceptional.

I know a couple of guys who would be regularly up for countryside excursions, fishing, astronomy and walking etc. I count myself as extremely lucky.

Everyone has their dreams and goals, but we all need to learn to take the first step, when it's taken you'll love every minute of it. I'm not advertising as some sort of role-model here, just trying to get a bit of optimism rolling