Question (about irish people)?

Question

i live in ireland and i am jst wondering why people (mostly amercians) think that they are so funny and cheerful. they seem the same compared to other people in the world so why are they called funny?

Answer 1

I think it's because of the accent! ;-)

But seriously, - are you not cheerful in Ireland?

Answer 2

Sounds like a stereotype strikes again. Here's a question for you: are you certain that it's mostly Americans who think  the Irish are always funny and cheerful, or is that another generalization?

Answer 3

Stereotypes sometimes just have no rhyme or reason. As an American of Irish descent, I can tell you that the whole "leprechaun" thing seems to be a major facet of our impression of the Irish. We shape our impressions around our common contact. Commonly, Americans see Irish in relation to St. Patrick's day. Which here, is a day for drinking and wearing green. Many Americans have no idea that it's a religious holiday

Answer 4

i dunno? i personally thought u were cheerful people because i never met a mean irish person :)

Answer 5

I am from NY and have traveled to various countries in Europe. Out of all the countries, Ireland was my favorite and it was due to the personable nature of the Irish. I stayed at a local B&B and chatted with the family all morning. They were as interested in us as we were of them. Some other countries look down on Americans for our behavior in their country (which they may have every right to think the way they do from seeing how some tourists act). But no matter who I talked to in Ireland, they were always very helpful and pleasant.

Answer 6

Funny peculiar, maybe. Like, if Graham norton and Paddy Kielty are the funniest men in Ireland, that says it all.

Answer 7

I am an American, and I am never cheerful.  If you are cheerful, people will think there is something wrong with you.  All I ever eat is cheese and mayonaisse.  I am also not funny. If you are funny, people will think there is something wrong with you.  My cousin, Thurman is funny, but I never laugh at him.  If I did, someone would surely think there is something wrong with me.

Have you ever had a cheese and mayonaisse sandwich.  I haven't, because I don't eat bread.  I only eat cheese and mayonaisse.  If I ate bread, I'm pretty sure someone would think something is terribly wrong with me.  I am just a normal human being.  I have a leprechaun named Chauncy, and one named Basil.

Answer 8

I've been to a lot of different places around the world, and have noticed differences in the personalitys of us(Irish people) and other countries. We are generally more likely to strike up conversations.Irish tend to crack jokes about everyone and anyone(religion,politics whatever)and its all done in a jokey 'don't take it so serious' way. Our humour is a lot more light-hearted, we dont feel the need to be 'PC' anything goes, and a lot of different nationalites would find this relaxed nature funny and refreshing. I for one love the Dublin wit, and theres no where in the world that you will find it. Sit in any pub in dublin or anyhwere in Ireland and listen in to the converstaions, and you'll understand what they like so much about the place.

Answer 9

I've never thought of the irish as cheerful more rebellious and cranky.

Answer 10

I agree, people do seem to have preconceived notions of us, that we are all really cheerful and happy all the time. But I have t say, its a pretty good reputation to have...we could be considered cranky gits! lol... Nah but seriosly, i think generally irish people are generally friendly. We do get stereotyped more than any other nationality though...just for the record, for all americans reading this...ive lived in ireland for 21 years and not once have i, nor has any1 else uttered the words "top of the mornin to ya" to me.. lol.. we dont say this!!!!

Answer 11

Simple  The Irish here in America are druken most of the time.  Singing songs "When Irsih Eyes are Smilin" or "Danny Boy"  and the Weren O' the Green

Answer 12

probably because us irish are just fabulously cheery people!!

....i think its because we have a lot of "craic" , and theres the stereotypical issue of the drunkin happy irish person, and we are a nation of songs and music....

:D

Answer 13

ah sure we all kissed the blarney stone and we will chat to you all night long

Answer 14

I personally think they're cheerful because A)  I (like Ukraingirl) have never met a mean Irishman, and B)  I live in New York City, so anyone in comparison is pretty friendly!  

Also, I've found that Irish people generally like to strike up conversations.  That implies a certain amount of friendliness (imagine someone doing that on a NYC subway!)

I'm not sure I regard Irish people as necessarily funny.  Just personable.

Answer 15

cause us irish people are happy cheerful people....

just good aul craic i suppose...