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A different sort of immigration topic

124

Comments

  • #92
    Dj Stiggie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 619 ✭✭✭Dj Stiggie


    PittIsIt wrote: »
    OOOH, you mean "hunk"

    Hunky is a colloquialism, usually directed towards Eastern Europeans, since it derives from "Hungarian". However, today it gets slapped onto any white unskilled or nominally skilled laborer.

    Well that cleared up my post. But we don't use the N word a lot.


  • #93
    seachto7
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,863 ✭✭✭seachto7


    Des had moved back to NYC?

    If you move to Ireland, you'll always be know as "the yank".


  • #94
    PittIsIt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35 ✭PittIsIt


    Dj Stiggie wrote: »
    We definitely do not.

    And do you mean to say 'honky', as in a white person? Because a hunk would be a word I'd expect to hear about the cute guy on the football team in a 90's American teen movie.

    Honky is just the southern pronunciation. The rest of us pronounce it like it's spelled (with a "u")

    But I assume that the majority of media that makes it to Ireland is country music, with the prevalence of "honkey-tonk" N@, and that's not really indicative of anyone north of Greene County.


  • #95
    PittIsIt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35 ✭PittIsIt


    seachto7 wrote: »
    Des had moved back to NYC?

    If you move to Ireland, you'll always be know as "the yank".

    Where did that come from? The only times I hear the word "Yankee" in normal speech are

    1) Any time the NYY are on SportsCenter
    2) When my daughter breaks into "Yankee Doodle Dandy", and boy does she love singing.


  • #96
    Dj Stiggie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 619 ✭✭✭Dj Stiggie


    PittIsIt wrote: »
    Honky is just the southern pronunciation. The rest of us pronounce it like it's spelled (with a "u")

    But I assume that the majority of media that makes it to Ireland is country music, with the prevalence of "honkey-tonk" N@, and that's not really indicative of anyone north of Greene County.

    In pop culture honky used to refer to a white guy, particularly in hip hop. Macklemore is referred to as a honky in his Thrift Shop song. Aside from the unbelievable success of Garth Brooks, American country music isn't very popular.

    Also, I think you should move to Ireland. Dublin is good and vibrant for someone in your position, it's just unfortunate that my first post made it sound like I'm on Mark's side, which I'm definitely not.


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  • #97
    Dj Stiggie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 619 ✭✭✭Dj Stiggie


    Americans are always called 'Yanks' abroad. I don't if it's because of the War of Independence or because the Yankees won the Civil War but you are.


  • #98
    PittIsIt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35 ✭PittIsIt


    Dj Stiggie wrote: »
    In pop culture honky used to refer to a white guy, particularly in hip hop. Macklemore is referred to as a honky in his Thrift Shop song. Aside from the unbelievable success of Garth Brooks, American country music isn't very popular.

    Also, I think you should move to Ireland. Dublin is good and vibrant for someone in your position, it's just unfortunate that my first post made it sound like I'm on Mark's side, which I'm definitely not.

    HAh, you're using the Ebonics pronunciation in that case.

    I based what I said about country music on the whole "Gareth" Brooks incident (fiasco?) that yinz had to deal with.


  • #99
    Dj Stiggie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 619 ✭✭✭Dj Stiggie


    PittIsIt wrote: »
    HAh, you're using the Ebonics pronunciation in that case.

    I based what I said about country music on the whole "Gareth" Brooks incident (fiasco?) that yinz had to deal with.

    Fair enough, but I'm going to take a shot in the dark here and say that Seattle and Detroit are north of Greene County, so I'm hardly wrong.


  • #100
    The Backwards Man
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,299 ✭✭✭✭The Backwards Man


    Dj Stiggie wrote: »
    Americans are always called 'Yanks' abroad. I don't if it's because of the War of Independence or because the Yankees won the Civil War but you are.

    It's what the Dutch called the pilgrim fathers. John Cheese > Jan Kees > Yankees > yanks.

    OP, Ireland is a hell of a lot more tolerant, forward thinking and inclusive than a 3am Saturday morning message board would have you believe.


  • #101
    PittIsIt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35 ✭PittIsIt


    Dj Stiggie wrote: »
    Fair enough, but I'm going to take a shot in the dark here and say that Seattle and Detroit are north of Greene County, so I'm hardly wrong.

    Wait wait wait, we're talking about Yanks...

    Seattle wasn't even incorporated when the term "Yank" had any meaning.

    And Detroit is it's own little world.

    The variation in language is truly astounding, and it's fun seeing how much I miss in everyday conversation.

    Thanks George Jefferson...

    I really appreciate the support though, it helps seeing people be supportive. If only it paid the bills.


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  • #102
    Dj Stiggie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 619 ✭✭✭Dj Stiggie


    PittIsIt wrote: »
    Wait wait wait, we're talking about Yanks...

    Seattle wasn't even incorporated when the term "Yank" had any meaning.

    And Detroit is it's own little world.

    The variation in language is truly astounding, and it's fun seeing how much I miss in everyday conversation.

    Thanks George Jefferson...

    I was stuck on honky, but The Backwards Man cleared up Yank for us. I can sleep now.


  • #103
    Arytonblue
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 108 ✭✭Arytonblue


    PittIsIt wrote: »
    HAh, you're using the Ebonics pronunciation in that case.

    I based what I said about country music on the whole "Gareth" Brooks incident (fiasco?) that yinz had to deal with.
    I like the cut of your jib OP, Pittsburgh eh? What's wrong with the good ol' Smoky City compared to Irlanda? Too many yokels? Steel work pollution getting in your eyes? Or are you not much of a Penguins fan? Needless to say, you should of course feel welcome here, just don't expect any of that 'yee-haw' stuff out here, unless you're moving to Leitrim that is.


  • #104
    The Backwards Man
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,299 ✭✭✭✭The Backwards Man


    On the country music, we gave that to 'yinz', not the other way around. Well, we gave 'yinz' the jigs and the reels and the ballads and the fiddles, the Spanish gave 'yinz' the guitars and the Africans gave 'yinz' the banjos. :)


  • #105
    Mesrine65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,949 ✭✭✭Mesrine65


    You're white, english speaking & perceived to be christian...

    You have all the pre-conditions for the haters not to be hating on you, as long as you don't let them hear your accent OP :eek: ;):D


  • #106
    mattP
    Closed Accounts Posts: 255 ✭✭mattP


    I think this can all be summarised as follows:
    Haters gonna hate, y'all.


  • #107
    Figbiscuithead
    Closed Accounts Posts: 307 ✭✭Figbiscuithead


    Nobody will care. My brother-in-law is an American, has been living in Ireland for years and is extremely well-liked - he's got loads of mates and also has a good job. He did find the Irish sense of humour a bit much when it came to the incessant piss-taking (making fun out of each other, usually in a good-humoured manner..though not always) among some groups of friends but he learnt to give as good as he gets. You'll be absolutely fine and will encounter no more problems than any Westerner moving to any other Western country.


  • #108
    Cee-Jay-Cee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,234 ✭✭✭✭Cee-Jay-Cee


    Junkyard Tom wrote: »
    Learn to ignore people who have little else to do but nit-pick others' posts in an attempt to feel better about themselves. Generally we're a welcoming bunch in Ireland.



    It's a bit like "you'uns", 'you ones', 'you guys', or 'ye'.

    Or yiz.


  • #109
    Cee-Jay-Cee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,234 ✭✭✭✭Cee-Jay-Cee


    The vast majority (neighbours and work colleagues) will welcome you. Americans don't generally get the 'you took out jobs' line and when you donuts generally from some welfare leech that has never worked a day in his/her life and who's opinion is about as worthless as they are.


  • #110
    diomed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,744 ✭✭✭diomed


    How heavy are you?
    Do you have a gun?


  • #111
    diomed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,744 ✭✭✭diomed


    PittIsIt wrote: »
    So, I'm quite familiar that there is a sort of immigration... event happening in Europe. Some people see it as an issue (or disaster) and some people see it as an opportunity. I've read numerous places where people hate "the Polish" or "the Brazilians" etc coming in and taking jobs. I get that to some degree, I have my own opinions but they're kind of irrelevant to the topic at hand.
    "the Polish" hard-working, educated, skilled, honest
    "the Brazilians" very good at soccer

    So starting my part of the story. I'm a young American, and it's in my head that I want to uproot my family and move across the Atlantic to Ireland. I'm an experienced Chemical Engineer with additional experience managing people, and part of my reasoning is Ireland's burgeoning pharma industry. Part of it is the landscape and mild climate.
    Flat, boring and wet.

    Most of it lies in that America is a wreck socially and I want to connect myself therewith to a progressive, peaceful state. Add in the fact that I have 1.4L of Irish blood (1 grandparent for those too lazy to do the math) and it's a slam dunk.
    Are you coming to work?
    Dublin housing is expensive to buy, and there is a shortage of rental properties with rising rents.
    Being Irish in Ireland is not a plus.

    I'm well aware this is a difficult road. I'm seeing it already, even though the government specifically calls out my background as a "needed skill" and makes it easy for me to come to work, it's hard finding a company that doesn't put you below Irish citizens, just because. I get that, and I fully accept it as a barrier. But I'm going to continue trying.
    Do you expect to come in at the top? You are untested.

    Now the fun part. People seem to have disdain for immigrants because they come in, take low skill jobs away from others who need them, and end up on welfare being paid for by taxpayers (heavy stereotypes, I'm aware). Not everyone will come out and say it, but I would bet that for everyone who speaks out, another 3-4 hold it secretly. If I were to successfully carry out my plan, that would make me an immigrant. But, truth be told, I'm bringing a family, a savings, a plan to live there permanently. I'm also bringing a skill, one labeled as deficient by the Irish government, and I wouldn't be just taking a job at a hotel or at a bar.
    My guess is you should contact recruitment agencies to see what is available. It is the chicken and egg situation. Do you move here with your family and then start looking for a position, or do you move, look for a position / accommodation, then have the family join you.

    We get this a lot in America. This mentality that all immigrants are bad typically stems from Mexicans coming over to do hard labor, but there are many other people from around the globe who come to try to make their lives better. When a Chinese or an Indian intellectual come to attend college, or get a job with a large company, the xenophobia rages. They say "can't you hire an American, they're taking a job away" when in truth, the company just wants to hire who is most qualified. Sometimes, that's an intellectual from another country. But haters hate regardless, it's a serious issue around here.
    This is Europe. There is free movement of labour. My mother lives in a nursing home and half the staff are non-Irish. You will not be the first immigrant. You won’t be special.

    In short, I'm asking what yinz think will happen when I finally move. Will I be treated as an outsider, hell bent on stealing precious jobs that should be filled with Irish intellectuals? Will I be lumped in with every other immigrant? Or are the xenophobic reports blown out of proportion because that side is louder?

    If you could, I'd ask that you give:
    1) your personal opinion
    2) your gauge of what the typical herd opinion of people in Ireland, and how I'd be treated.

    And of course, the reason I came here is because I'm finding people on this board brutally honest, so please do your worst if it's the truth. I mean, Donald Trump is vying to be my president, I've heard it all.

    Here is an American immigrant who made good in Ireland.
    He is benefitting from the zero percent Irish tax on his income.
    http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?n=78452
    I met him. He is an ok guy.
    We have many immigrants, they are part of Ireland.


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  • #112
    Herb Powell
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,097 ✭✭✭Herb Powell


    Mark Tapley wrote: »
    OP says he is qualified for intellectual jobs which leads me to surmise that he considers himself an intellectual.
    Mark Tapley wrote: »
    The point is the OP indicates a high level of education but this does not seem to be borne out by the evidence of his posts.
    Wouldn't be the first Walter Mitty to sign up on boards.

    Hmm, yes, shallow and pedantic


  • #113
    diomed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,744 ✭✭✭diomed


    Herb Powell wrote: »
    Hmm, yes, shallow and pedantic
    Stop taking about me. :)


  • #114
    Paramite Pie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,312 ✭✭✭Paramite Pie


    I've occassionally seen Americans being yelled or harrassed because some Irish person doesn't approve of US foreign policy. Telling the harasser that you didn't vote for Bush or opposed the War will do little pacify these incidents (from what I've witnessed -- and this was in the Obama era!).:o

    Some people just want to argue. It's probably rare but i've seen it as recently as this summer.


  • #115
    PittIsIt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35 ✭PittIsIt


    diomed,

    Thanks for the thoughtful response.

    Funny thing is that I am considered kind I'd a radical because I advocate taking guns away from the nutcase people that hoard arsenals to "protect themselves". The limited prevalence of guns in Ireland is a big plus in my book.

    And as far as "expecting to come in at the top" I really don't expect anything. I want to present my merits and hope to land a position for enough cabbage to feed my family. My main concern is that I've been flat out told that Irish (and European in general) will be given major precedence thanks to the EU. And I'm not complaining, I totally get it, but it's a major hurdle and I'll have to get lucky.


  • #116
    diomed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,744 ✭✭✭diomed


    I would be surprised and disappointed if Irish or other Europeans were given preference in candidate selection. I would hope that the best candidate gets any job. I am retired and from my experience in our large company the best candidate seldom got the job. The company closed so there might be a connection.
    I have met many non-Europeans in employment in Ireland but that may be due to a skill/staff shortage in that niche.


  • #117
    PittIsIt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35 ✭PittIsIt


    diomed wrote: »
    I would be surprised and disappointed if Irish or other Europeans were given preference in candidate selection. I would hope that the best candidate gets any job. I am retired and from my experience in our large company the best candidate seldom got the job. The company closed so there might be a connection.
    I have met many non-Europeans in employment in Ireland but that may be due to a skill/staff shortage in that niche.

    Yes but it's quite easy to put Europeans ahead when you have a group of similarly skilled candidates. It will come down to getting lucky and networking I think.


  • #118
    Figbiscuithead
    Closed Accounts Posts: 307 ✭✭Figbiscuithead


    PittIsIt wrote: »
    Yes but it's quite easy to put Europeans ahead when you have a group of similarly skilled candidates. It will come down to getting lucky and networking I think.

    Have you ever been to Ireland, Pitt?


  • #119
    diomed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,744 ✭✭✭diomed


    My preference would be to live to the south-west, west, north-west, north of the city (in descending order of preference) at a commute distance of about 50km to 60km.
    Use google maps, and click the Traffic option to see the traffic jams at evening rudh-hour.


  • #120
    PittIsIt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35 ✭PittIsIt


    Figbiscuithead wrote: »
    Have you ever been to Ireland, Pitt?

    Yes I have.
    diomed wrote: »
    My preference would be to live to the south-west, west, north-west, north of the city (in descending order of preference) at a commute distance of about 50km to 60km.
    Use google maps, and click the Traffic option to see the traffic jams at evening rudh-hour.

    The second most prevalent area for my background is Cork. That would fit be better, there's more opportunity to purchase a nice tract of land to work than near Dublin.

    You know, that nice road front acreage that all the ladies adore


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  • #121
    diomed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,744 ✭✭✭diomed


    I hope you know Cork is different, a different country and language.
    http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0374/5725/products/Cork_406x305.jpg?v=1404336683


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