Do Australians hate the Irish?

Shy Ted · 20-04-2014 6:02pm #1

I was in Australia a few years ago and never had any trouble at all. Apart from one old guy in a pub, everyone was really nice. I'm now hoping to go back again next year.

I was speaking to two different people that have come home recently from working over there, and they maintain that the Australians hate the Irish. When I first heard it, I thought it was just one disgruntled person who just didn't fit in. But when I heard it for the second time, it got me wondering whether the Australians are finally fed up with the antics of some that label the rest.

What's everyone's thoughts on this?

Scaglietti · 20-04-2014 6:04pm

They don't hate the irish but they dislike travellers

pebbles21 · 20-04-2014 6:06pm

Scaglietti wrote: »

They don't hate the irish but they dislike travellers

Doesn't everybody hate travellers ?

Scaglietti · 20-04-2014 6:12pm

As far as I know

FISMA · 20-04-2014 6:25pm

Shy Ted wrote: »

What's everyone's thoughts on this?

Clearly George Bush's fault.

kazza90210 · 21-04-2014 4:02am

I have lived in Oz for over 4 years and have never felt any hate towards me. They think we are good workers and friendly, obviously if you come here with a bad attitude thats what you will find in return

catbear · 21-04-2014 4:41am

Haven't had an ounce of abuse for being Irish here, in fact in west australia it's a bonus as nearly half the place has Irish ancestors. I've been told on a few occasions we were very welcome and more of our type were needed as there were too many blacks.

Not getting on with Australians doesn't mean they hate you, as far as I can see most are pretty friendly and the ones who aren't are like that with everyone. Then there's the racists but as I already mentioned they'll consider an Irish person a fresh recruit against the asian invasion and whatever ethnic/religious group is been singled out by the media on any particular week.

Edit to add: I forgot to mention the boat people, mentioning refugees can really rile some Aussies up, especially when you mention their ancestors coming in boats.

Zambia · 21-04-2014 5:04am

Over 10,000 people marched down Sydney road after Jill meaghers murder. It was no secret she was Irish.

There are no shortage of ass holes in oz but they are not the majority by a long shot.

jackbhoy · 21-04-2014 6:52am

Not in my experience.

I find all of Aussie friends and colleagues pretty apathetic about where you come from, as long as you are decent person and treat them well you'll get same in return.

Of course, as others mentioned, there are w@nkers in every country but wouldn't judge the general populace by few of those, which sounds like what your mates are doing.

The Aussie · 21-04-2014 9:27am

No, but Australians have no time for w@nkers, there is a strong chance that your friends are Tiger Cubs, I would blame their parents who gave them a undeserved sense of entitlement that the world owes them something that has to be earnt and not given, don't worry though the Bogan Brats in Oz are cut from the same cloth...

Shy Ted · 21-04-2014 11:17am

The Aussie wrote: »

there is a strong chance that your friends are Tiger Cubs

I wouldn't say they're tiger cubs, but its probably more likely that their personalities or personal situations prevented them from fitting in.

One of them was working two years on a mine and never travelled the country at all. He was there purely for the work.
I guess if you're working flat out for two years in arse end of nowhere, you probably would resent the place.
The other lad was very keen to come home so he mightn't have fitted in.

I must admit, the coincidence of two of them saying the same thing did get me nervous.
Thanks for the responses.

catbear · 21-04-2014 12:21pm

Shy Ted wrote: »

One of them was working two years on a mine and never travelled the country at all. He was there purely for the work.
I guess if you're working flat out for two years in arse end of nowhere, you probably would resent the place.
The other lad was very keen to come home so he mightn't have fitted in.

I must admit, the coincidence of two of them saying the same thing did get me nervous.
Thanks for the responses.

Plenty of Aussies end resenting mining after a few years, it's known as the marriage breaker here.

Snake · 21-04-2014 12:28pm

Well we don't like when foreigners come over here for jobs, why would they like it over there?
And, Irish people going over there getting themselves hammered and making a show of themselves, is why some oz don't like Irish. So it's our own fault

mike65 · 21-04-2014 12:59pm

catbear wrote: »

Haven't had an ounce of abuse for being Irish here, in fact in west australia it's a bonus as nearly half the place has Irish ancestors. I've been told on a few occasions we were very welcome and more of our type were needed as there were too many blacks.

Not getting on with Australians doesn't mean they hate you, as far as I can see most are pretty friendly and the ones who aren't are like that with everyone. Then there's the racists but as I already mentioned they'll consider an Irish person a fresh recruit against the asian invasion and whatever ethnic/religious group is been singled out by the media on any particular week.

Edit to add: I forgot to mention the boat people, mentioning refugees can really rile some Aussies up, especially when you mention their ancestors coming in boats.

Pity any black Irish who go over. That would probably confuse the average Aussie.

catbear · 21-04-2014 1:53pm

retrogamefan wrote: »

Well we don't like when foreigners come over here for jobs, why would they like it over there?
And, Irish people going over there getting themselves hammered and making a show of themselves, is why some oz don't like Irish. So it's our own fault

Actually I've had it said to me that the sloppy Irish drunks are preferable to the aggressive steroid pumped aussie ones!
Your average Aussie has more time time for the emigrant who has to pay their way than the scrounging anti social bogan who'd rather not work at all.

The Aussie · 21-04-2014 2:03pm

catbear wrote: »

Your average Aussie has more time time for the emigrant who has to pay their way than the scrounging anti social bogan who spends all available cash on tattoos and pimping his "truck" while his family lives in abject poverty, who'd rather not work at all.

Just added a bit there, hope you don't mind...

catbear · 21-04-2014 2:34pm

The Aussie wrote: »

Just added a bit there, hope you don't mind...

So true, so depressingly true.

seachto7 · 21-04-2014 7:26pm

I noticed a trend sometimes in Australia where they would make jokes about the Irish or other nationalities, not to be nasty, but genuinely just not believing they are causing any offence.

JONJO THE MISER · 21-04-2014 7:49pm

As ive said before the aussies have a serious problem with people from other countries, in general very racist ignorant macho culture.

Theresalwaysone · 21-04-2014 7:53pm

seachto7 wrote: »

I noticed a trend sometimes in Australia where they would make jokes about the Irish or other nationalities, not to be nasty, but genuinely just not believing they are causing any offence.

Happens here as well.

I spent a year in Aus and am currently awaiting visa confirmation to go back again for at least 4 years. I'd have to say Aussies are some of the best people I've found anywhere. Up for a laugh, witty and generally bright.

They do casual racism like the best of them. I've never had any ill feeling towards me because I am Irish though, few Irishman jokes, booze jokes but realistically its all meant in pure jest. I find they take you for what you are.

seachto7 · 21-04-2014 7:53pm

JONJO THE MISER wrote: »

As ive said before the aussies have a serious problem with people from other countries, in general very racist ignorant macho culture.

I wouldn't tar them all with the one brush, but as I posted above, they might make jokes about the Irish that you might have had to put up with in England in 1985, but they're still at it, and thinking it's funny. I have had that on occasion, but in general I found the cities to be pretty good, a lot more multicultural than anywhere in Ireland.

stefan idiot jones · 21-04-2014 8:31pm

I've found no racism at all towards any white immigrants. They even love my accent.

Asians on the other hand is a different matter.

I work in an Aged Care Residence, you should hear some of the views of the oldies towards anyone of different skin colour. Especially the ones suffering with dementia, there is no filter what so ever.

The Aussie · 21-04-2014 9:06pm

JONJO THE MISER wrote: »

As ive said before the aussies have a serious problem with people from other countries, in general very racist ignorant macho culture.

#yawn...

Get back to me when you beat a different drum, or get over the fact that you wanted to spend a second year in Australia but failed at that simple task and got the boot, maybe if you went about attaining your second year visa in a Legal manner you might have spent a second year in a Australia and not have acquired a chip on your shoulder for life.

Looking forward to your response. LOL

bladebrew · 21-04-2014 9:14pm

I spend 3 months there and not one person said anything about us being Irish, very multicultural place,
My brother had a supervisor on a farm say, Cassowarys are like the Irish just don't look them in the eye and they will leave you alone:), he didn't realise my brother was Irish when he said it, but he was only messing, everyone thought it was hilarious!

Matt_Trakker · 21-04-2014 9:30pm

sugarman wrote: »

I'd imagine its much like here with Polish/other eastern Europeans

Why do the Irish insist on calling Poland an Eastern European country?

'Poland officially the Republic of Poland (Polish: Rzeczpospolita Polska), is a country in Central Europe, bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast (a Russian exclave) and Lithuania to the north.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poland

Zambia · 22-04-2014 12:42am

Matt_Trakker wrote: »

Why do the Irish insist on calling Poland an Eastern European country?

'Poland officially the Republic of Poland (Polish: Rzeczpospolita Polska), is a country in Central Europe, bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast (a Russian exclave) and Lithuania to the north.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poland

Sorry if it was east of the Berlin Wall it's bloc

AngryHippie · 22-04-2014 12:50am

Matt_Trakker wrote: »

Why do the Irish insist on calling Poland an Eastern European country?

'Poland officially the Republic of Poland (Polish: Rzeczpospolita Polska), is a country in Central Europe, bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast (a Russian exclave) and Lithuania to the north.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poland

Because its in Eastern Europe mostly.

http://goeasteurope.about.com/od/easterneuropedestinations/ss/Countries-Of-Eastern-Europe.htm

http://answers.ask.com/Society/Government_and_Law/what_countries_are_in_eastern_europe

jackbhoy · 22-04-2014 1:48am

JONJO THE MISER wrote: »

As ive said before the aussies have a serious problem with people from other countries, in general very racist ignorant macho culture.

Strange given that 26% of Aussie citizens were born overseas and 20% have at least one foreign born parent. Must be a lot of latent self-loathing going on here that I have missed.

AngryHippie · 22-04-2014 1:57am

JONJO THE MISER has a serious problem with Aussies.
He went there and they didn't like him.
He has now taken to bagging them out whenever there is a possibility of anything positive being said about them.

I think that the fact that they have taken in 50,000 a year of our best, worst, prettiest and ugliest and given them a chance to earn a crust and have a life for themselves flies in the face of the supposed hatred.

Most people that encountered animosity found it because they acted the fcukwit. Behavior that most Aussies have a pretty low tolerance for.

Yes, they do crack jokes at our expense, but mostly to test our sense of humor. You'll find that if you give them a serve straight back, they'll share the laugh. That isn't hatred, it's just their way, Much like the Irish propensity for the shneer.

Ignore Jonjo, bring your manners, and Aussies will be some of your best mates.

mandrake04 · 22-04-2014 2:17am

I don't think Australians hate the Irish, I find it the other way around a lot of Irish hate Aussies ...they resent not having the same work, immigration and citizen rights and it eats into them.

Mike747 · 22-04-2014 2:32am

JONJO THE MISER wrote: »

As ive said before the aussies have a serious problem with people from other countries, in general very racist ignorant macho culture.

Translation: I'm an Irish bogan who spent his entire time in his GAA jersey getting wrecked with my mates. Why didn't the Aussies like me?

harney · 22-04-2014 2:38am

Are we no longer doing the whole _attack the post, not the poster_ thing?

AngryHippie · 22-04-2014 2:48am

Nobody is attacking him.

just pointing out his bias, in that he had a negative experience in Australia, and that his is not necessarily an accurate portrayal of Aussie attitudes to Irish people, nor their approach to life in general.

I've no idea what Jonjo is like as a person.

Zambia · 22-04-2014 2:57am

Mike747 wrote: »

Translation: I'm an Irish bogan who spent his entire time in his GAA jersey getting wrecked with my mates. Why didn't the Aussies like me?

FFS dont make me mod, I am full of chocolate. Less of the abuse.

seachto7 · 22-04-2014 11:17am

mandrake04 wrote: »

I don't think Australians hate the Irish, I find it the other way around a lot of Irish hate Aussies ...they resent not having the same work, immigration and citizen rights and it eats into them.

That's the type of answer a sterotypical Aussie would give... :rolleyes:

Let's just assume you are trolling.

Only for the amount of Irish and other nationalities over there on WHVs, most of the place would be f*cked.

I know plenty of people who have been to Australia, had a chance to stay on, left it, because they didn't like it. They have no interest in ever going back, and are doing quite well in Ireland and/or other countries. It's not the be all and end all as some would make it out.
It is the be all and end all for a lot of people who might only have one specific avenue of work open to them and where Aus is the only option for them.

I know people over there now making good money, because it's their only option, and they are sticking it out for the money, and that's it.

I also know people over there who love it and have embraced the Aussie way of life.

But, you could move to France tomorrow and get everything you would get in Australia like food, culture, weather, surfing, better football, and better rugby.

There are other options folks.

But I have no problem with Australia. It's a fantastic country. Would I settle there? Yes. I could easily settle into the Aussie lifestyle, but I would go there only if I had to and am currently not ruling it out. I would prefer the South West of France.

But it's the arrogance such as the above post that puts me off Aussies. "We're the best at everything" type bullsh*t.

top madra · 22-04-2014 11:54am

stefan idiot jones wrote: »

They even love my accent.

Really?

I find my accent doesn't work here like it does in the US/Uk etc..

(I have to rely on my dashing good looks)

seachto7 · 22-04-2014 2:02pm

Sometimes I think it might be the gaudy yellow and green Donegal jersey tucked into a pair of brown or blue jeans, white crosshatch belt, with snow white trainers and a jarhead haircut is the biggest downfall of the Paddy abroad.

massdebater · 22-04-2014 2:02pm

top madra wrote: »

Really?

I find my accent doesn't work here like it does in the US/Uk etc..

(I have to rely on my dashing good looks)

Really? Aussie women regularly comment on my accent. It doesn't really work as effectively in places with high concentrations of irish people (St Kilda, Perth etc) but I always get women swooning over my irish accent. Even my male aussie friends have told me not to open my mouth if they're chatting to a woman. I say this as an average looking guy too, I'm no Colin Farrell!

seachto7 · 22-04-2014 2:04pm

I think the key is not to make yourself look like an Irish person. Try and blend in with the locals Do it by stealth. Then when you are in conversation and hit the ladies with your toora loora diddlee eye accent, they'll go for you like flies to sh*t.

GalwayKiefer · 22-04-2014 2:15pm

I'm here nearly 4 years and have only met 2 people who had a problem with me because I was Irish. But I think it was more that I was not Australian rather than specifically Irish.

Once at work in the smoko room a heap of lads were giving out about "the foreigners" and asked me my opinion. Pointing out to them I was a foreigner they said "ah ya but you're the good kind." I've encountered that a few times I will say.

Work hard, don't be a d1ck, and you'll get on fine. They really do embrace the "fair go" idea.

mandrake04 · 22-04-2014 2:20pm

seachto7 wrote: »

That's the type of answer a sterotypical Aussie would give... :rolleyes:

An Aussie wouldn't even see it buddy it's completely out of their league, you should have read Irish People living in Australia Facebook page when they changed the 457 rules last year you and would understand the hate and resentment. Didn't half make me laugh.

Not sure what the rest of your post was about, wasn't anything relevant.

seachto7 · 22-04-2014 2:43pm

mandrake04 wrote: »

An Aussie wouldn't even see it buddy it's completely out of their league, you should have read Irish People living in Australia Facebook page when they changed the 457 rules last year you and would understand the hate and resentment. Didn't half make me laugh.

Not sure what the rest of your post was about, wasn't anything relevant.

I'd say it's a small percentage of Irish who actually give a f*ck what Aussies do or don't have.

catbear · 22-04-2014 4:06pm

I remember being called a Tan by an Irish bogan when I said I had no problem working with Polish. Haters are going to hate.

The Aussie · 22-04-2014 6:50pm

seachto7 wrote: »

That's the type of answer a sterotypical Aussie would give... :rolleyes:

But it's the arrogance such as the above post that puts me off Aussies. "We're the best at everything" type bullsh*t.

Yeh.... You do know he is Irish don't you.

It actually does come across as you have a problem with Australians, you say you don't have a problem with Australia but its obvious you have a issue with its inhabitants.

seachto7 wrote: »

Let's just assume you are trolling.

Can we just say that we don't have to assume with your post and save time, that'd be great thanks.

seachto7 · 22-04-2014 7:23pm

The Aussie wrote: »

Yeh.... You do know he is Irish don't you.

It actually does come across as you have a problem with Australians, you say you don't have a problem with Australia but its obvious you have a issue with its inhabitants.

Can we just say that we don't have to assume with your post and save time, that'd be great thanks.

Some Australians. Not all, but some. Thankfully it was very much in the minority.

I do know he's Irish, but I'm not sure what he was getting at in his post. Maybe he could explain it. He seems to think that every Paddy that rocks over is doing their utmost to stay.

I'm sure there are a lot like that, but a lot more who just see it as a working holiday. A pi55 up and a bit of craic and a chance to see a country on the other side of the world.

But, no, I don't think Australians hate the Irish, seeing as a good whack of them are of Irish descent. If anything, I saw the English get more abuse over there.

But I would imagine if you're Irish and black, it might be a different story.

jank · 23-04-2014 2:41am

Never had an issue. Aussies are sometimes loud, brash and obnoxious. Us Irish seem to have problems with strong willed nationalities at times hence the "They must hate us" if they are not blowing smoke up your ass like many Americans can do.

stefan idiot jones · 23-04-2014 3:11am

top madra wrote: »

Really?

I find my accent doesn't work here like it does in the US/Uk etc..

(I have to rely on my dashing good looks)

But I have the advantage of a beautiful South Walian tone. Plus there's not many of us so a bit of a novelty.

catbear · 23-04-2014 3:19am

The accent does help although I've been told by a few Aussies that they were surprised I was Irish as they could understand me perfectly whereas the they couldn't understand the scots and Irish they were working with.

However when I start talking with another Irish person I can see Aussies starting to struggle, one even asked us if we were talking Irish!

Feelgood · 23-04-2014 8:20am

Been here close to 4 years. I've had the occasional "what are you doing here stealing our jobs and our wimmins", but I reckon you will get that in any country you go to. I heard enough Irish saying it about the Polish back home.

I have made a few Aussie mates and they genuinely are the salt of the
earth. Its surprising how much we have in common with them.

You don't have to worry about Australians hating us in Sydney, you'd
be hard pushed to find an Australian here these days.

Alanhooly · 23-04-2014 9:40am

I've been here nearly 4 months now and I find the Aussies to be very friendly and down to earth. I worked in construction for the first 3 months here and I actually got on better with all the Aussie lads than the Irish lads (Mainly arrogant & Ignorant @rseh#les I had to work with for some reason).

top madra · 23-04-2014 10:13am

massdebater wrote: »

Really? Aussie women regularly comment on my accent. It doesn't really work as effectively in places with high concentrations of irish people (St Kilda, Perth etc) but I always get women swooning over my irish accent. Even my male aussie friends have told me not to open my mouth if they're chatting to a woman. I say this as an average looking guy too, I'm no Colin Farrell!

I'll have to give it more time so, maybe it's my Wessssst of Ireland accent

As for this thread, I find all the Aussies I know and work with to be sound sure sometimes they rip the piss out of me about my accent but it's only good humour.

I think they're assholes in every country but if you're a asshole too you'll meet them sooner.

At the end of the day, Aussies, British and the Irish are very alike and it's only natural we all get on.

Do Australians hate the Irish?

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