Is a Dismissive Attitude toward foreign Infatuation with Ireland common in Eire?

Question

I recently visited a site and was overwhelmed by the amount of comments that seemed very sarcastic and even insulting, in reference to how people from North America may view Ireland. Is this indicative of the feeling most hold in Ireland? Many responses came from Dubliners, but I felt a concern, wishing to visit there next spring without causing offense to the locals. Is it wrong to hope to take in what I percieve to be the local "colour" when I visit? By comparison, I think it's boring when Americans refer to us as living in a land of ice and snow here in Canada, but it's all part of sharing our differences, isn't it?

Answer 1

Well, I'm Canadian too and I've never noticed a dismissive attitude from Dubliners (or Irish people in general). I thought people in Ireland were very nice, considerate, friendly people. As for sarcastic, maybe a bit but I didn't find it offensive, it's just part of some people's sense of humour. Maybe you just misread the situation or misunderstood someone trying to be funny. It's fairly typical to have someone take a poke at you (verbally) fully prepared to take one back. It's generally not mean spirited. At least that was my experience.

Answer 2

As an Irishman living in Canada I can give you three pieces of useful advice when visiting Ireland (not Eire):

1) while observational statements of the obvious may pass as conversation in Canada, in Ireland they are generally considered a waste of time

2) speaking literally, lacking a sense of irony, and being consumed by minutia is also considered a waste of time

3) as with most cultures, if you spend more time listening, observing, and adapting than talking or drawing attention to the differences from your culture, you are far more likely to be accepted

All that said, there is certainly a degree of presumption and ignorance on the part of some Irish people which can be offensive to the visitor; ignore them and spend time with the accepting, friendly,and genuine among us (difficult as they may be to find)

Answer 3

Never call it Éire, the term isn't used in conversation or script really.

Irish people particularly of my generation 20s and younger, find some of the things American's come out with bizarre and sometimes insulting.  One called Ireland quaint, that really annoyed me.  

They come to see parts of our history that were difficult for us, e.g. potato famine et al.  We accept those things as part of our heritage, but many Americans fixate on them and complain when cities like Cork, Dublin and Galway aren't medieval enough.

Complain about anything, e.g. the service, the roads, etc.(even though you may be correct and the Irish people you are talking to agree with you) you will be considered a moaning foreigner and they may instantly dislike you as it may be taken as a complaint against the country/area itself.

Answer 4

Being an american having just visited every pub I came across in a much too short trip around the south of the island...i would say I experienced none of this.

I spent nearly my whole time there enthralled at what I didn't know about ireland's landscape and people.  Of all the places I have been the most friendly and straightforward folk you ever will meet.  Good food, good drink and good conversations.  The only time I ever felt bad was when I saw some jerks from my country (America) making poor jokes and conversation at Ireland's expense.  I was mortified to be from the same country.

I have never seen more rugged and beautiful landscape.  

Don't spend time in dublin...get out and see the country.  And just like here in america you will find some unfriendly folks....politely avoid them....there is plenty of good people in ireland...if they laugh at your american weirdness its ok....we are weird laugh at yourself and share a pint with them.

Answer 5

Begorrah, we are a bit fed up with all them farreners expecting leprechauns crossing the road at the Red Cow roundabout. The leprechauns are cleverer than that, so should the foreigners be.

Dubs are mostly scangers anyway, so stay away from that place and you'll be just fine. In Cork and Kerry they will show you where the cluricanes are hiding and will gladly rent you a thatched cottage with no mod cons at all, as long as they can stay in their brand new 5 bedroom bungalow with geothermic heating. Or come to Donegal where we do local colour like the divil.

But keep a sense of humour and ability to laugh at yourself. It's very much appreciated because we are the same way ourselves.

Answer 6

Oh yes lass I come across it all the time.

Answer 7

I agree with everything eorpach_agus_eireannach said.  Another thing that irritates many Irish people is when an American refers to themselves as Irish, even though they may only have an Irish grandparent or great-grandparent.  Many (though not all) Irish people do not consider "Irish Americans" to be Irish.  They find it bizarre when Americans refer to Ireland as their "homeland", even though they may never have set foot here.  

You have nothing to worry about in visiting Ireland though.  Tourists are generally welcomed, and you're not going to cause offence by taking in the local culture.  In fact, people will probably be happy that you're taking an interest.  I saw a comment on Yahoo once from an American saying that he was disappointed when he came to Ireland and found that people lived in normal houses and not in thatched cottages.  As long as your attitude isn't like this person's - thinking that Ireland is stuck either in the 18th century or in a film from the 1950s - you will have no problems.