Understanding Irish Culture: Beyond the Surface

Disclaimer: I am American, though I have made many visits to Ireland and Northern Ireland and hold an Irish surname. I am not, and do not pretend to be, Irish.

Appearing Friendly, Sometimes Too Friendly

At first glance, the Irish people are friendly and charming. They are open to strangers, wonderful talkers, and have an unspoken rule that any words out of their mouths must be funny, well put, and entertaining.

However, stick around and spend a lot of time with your Irish friends, and you may discover a different side. They can be morose, dour, and dark, with a sense of self-contempt that baffles many. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as “putting on the poor mouth,” where individuals downplay their abilities and financial status, making it seem worse than it is. This relates to James Joyce’s observation that an Irishman's options were only “Silence, exile, or cunning.”

Friendliness with a Twist

We are very friendly, but there is a difficulty in getting to know us. Our quaint use of vocabulary is perfect for insiders but may appear coded to outsiders. For example, if you dry your clothes in the hot press or leave the immersion system on? Or if you greet us in Belfast with “Bout Ye,” you might enjoy the crack, which is legal and free in Ireland. However, if you ask a question and the reply is “what do you want to know that for,” how would you feel? You might find merely waiting for a bus or train to be an adventure, as timetables often appear to be Irish folk tales, and being punctual for appointments is a cherished ideal that often goes unattained.

Peculiarities and Idiosyncrasies

The Irish can be passionate about sports and betting, perhaps only second to Hong Kong. Our passion for a round-ball game that is closer to basketball than football is noteworthy. While the Catholic Church has not escaped criticism in recent times, it's likely that other supposedly Catholic countries like Italy, France, and Spain could relate to some of the scandals. Sarcastic and irreverent humor is a bridge too far for most Europeans, but my Spanish students loved ldquo;The Commitmentsrdquo; with subtitles.

Despite the dark side, hope resides in the belief that an improving economy and a greater sense of belonging to the European community may help Irish people lose their sense of being second-best. The great stuff that comes from the dark side includes our words, music, and poetry. It is from these depths that we find much of our cultural richness and depth. Thus, while we are friendly and charming, there is much more to Irish culture than what meets the eye at first glance.

Keywords: Irish culture, peculiarities, outsider's perspective