If Irish men and women had difficulty understanding the opposite sex back in Ireland, then being thrown into the New York dating zoo with lots of different species must have been a daunting experience indeed.
The Irish Voice went into the zoo to investigate for Valentine’s Day and found some answers that are sure to rattle some cages. In short, American women and Irish men can get it on, but Irish women prefer to stick to Irish lads
Sarah Richards, an American woman born and bred in New York City, states that Irish men offer a refreshing change from the normal American man.
‘They are just a general change from the typical American douche-bag. Irish people don’t take things as seriously. It’s all about having fun and enjoying life and usually drinking. There’s a light-heartedness about them that I like. And then there’s the accent!’
Read more: For Valentine's week our a guide to dating Irish girls
Amanda Donovan, a business major, agrees wholeheartedly with this.
‘Well besides the accent, I don’t think they’re as forward as American men. Like, they are more reserved in a sense. Most of them anyway. And they are definitely more sarcastic than American men and less serious about stuff, which I like.’
Elizabeth Rice, a bartender and songwriter originally from Chicago, says that Irish men have discovered a winning formula when it comes to thriving in the dating scene in America.
‘I think Irish men have figured out a way to be mysterious and friendly at the same time, which makes them very intriguing to American women who are always up for a new challenge’.
The integration of the Irish male into New York’s zoo has not come without its detractors however.
Alison Cusano, a theatre actress originally from New Hampshire, is outspoken in her aversion to Irish men.
‘I think they just come over here and party all the time and think they’re all that when it comes to getting girls and they get so tempted and can never say no. I think they mature very slowly, slower than American men. The Irish Curse is half true too!’
Dana Florence, working in finance, agrees with this stance but states that Irish guys are great fun nonetheless. She says that she would hunt them purely for sport, not for love.
‘I think they’re very attractive and a good time but only for a night or two. They’re very charming and that’s what you want on a day like Valentine’s Day so I’ll be looking for an Irish man that night for sure.’
Proving that the feeling is mutual, Sean Boyd, working in construction, says why he has an affinity for American women.
Read more: Top ten Irish love sayings for Valentine’s Day
‘I don’t know...I just think they’re more outgoing and sometimes easier to get along with and to have fun with. I think they’re more old-fashioned when it comes to stuff like going out and that’s the way it should be.’
Conor N, an undocumented bartender originally from County Cavan, had only five words to say when speaking of why he likes American women.
‘Pretty easy but pretty crazy!’
Stephen Morris, working in a bar in Downtown Manhattan, believes he has a very simple philosophy when it comes to Irish and American women.
‘American girls to date, Irish girls to marry. I don’t think I could ever fully trust an American girl after all I’ve seen in the bars.’
Danny Luddy, a bartender in Manhattan, disagrees with this and states that American girls are perfect partners.
‘You never know what you’re going to get...American girls are from all over the place so they’re very pretty in a different way and they’re very interested in us so they’re easier to go out with I think. They’re more loyal too I think.’
On the other side of the dating field, Irish girls speak out as to why they don’t have an attraction to American men.
Kate Reilly, living in Queens, says that she would never date an American man.
‘We’re not used to their forwardness and their expressions of emotion. They’re too clingy! You wouldn’t find an Irish man at that craic. As a nation of women I think we like our independence too much. I think they are tiring and relentless and I know plenty of girls that feel the same.’
Orlagh Reilly, working in Human Resources in Manhattan, concurs with this but says that Irish men could learn from an American man’s chivalrous methods of wooing a woman.
‘I think they are far more narcissistic, they care so much about image and themselves and they are a lot louder and hard to get along with. They are more forward but it is chivalry I suppose. There are not many Irish men that would ask you out to dinner.’
Read more: Valentine's Day special - New Yorkers share their awkward dating stories - VIDEO
Tina Smith, living in the Bronx, says that American men can be attractive if they just refrained from talking.
‘When you are in the city, and especially in the summer, you see so many hot men. They are so good looking but when it comes to talking, they are creepy and intense and forward and they just ruin it!’
Derek Huot, an American man who works in a bank, states that Irish girls are too scary to date.
‘I don’t like the way they dress or the way they drink. They get really loud and aggressive when they’re in bars and that scares the hell out of me!’
Justin Cole, a doorman working in a Midtown bar, agrees with this and compares Irish girls to men.
‘They’re just like dudes and I’m not attracted to dudes. I think every guy’s dream is to marry a hot chick that acts like a dude. A chick that’s really cool and likes sports and going out. But they’re too much. The way they talk and the way they act does not appeal to me at all. I think they grow up to be just like their dads. If I had my way, I’d never let them in to this bar!
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Londonpride | Feb 17, 2013, 01:17 PM EST
As an Englishman my experience of Irish women are the worst of any women I've ever met. They take advantage of the fact that they are women and try screaming and getting in your face, no man would ever get away with this they'd get beaten. They are extremely sly and don't realise everyone else can see this.
Smyrnian | Feb 16, 2013, 03:09 PM EST
Stevenstar - when people refer to themselves as Polish, Irish, German, Italian etc. they are referring to their ethnic background and not their place of birth or even their culture. Why can't you understand that? It seems to bother you greatly. Again, they are referring to their ETHNIC background. Get it?
Ron | Feb 16, 2013, 02:54 PM EST
I'm Scottish and I always found the Yank shielas hot to trot just when I open my mouth. They're horny fillies alright and like a bit of the exotica...as well as a bit of the other!
Smyrnian | Feb 15, 2013, 10:11 PM EST
Negative and nasty stereotype stuff. This is weird.
darragh S | Feb 15, 2013, 10:05 PM EST
‘I think Irish men have figured out a way to be mysterious and friendly at the same time, which makes them very intriguing to American women who are always up for a new challenge’. I hope I am not being to forward by saying this but when you say Challenge are you being a dirty article. All things being equal saying challenge instead of sex just implies that your not going to be a caveman.
STEVENSTAR | Feb 15, 2013, 05:07 PM EST
@@ancavker | Feb 15, 2013, 08:30 AM EST FUNNY IM IRISH AND I DONT DRINK AT ALL .. AND I DONT MEAN IRISH IN THE SENSE I WAS BORN IN IRELAND I LIVE HERE AND I HAVE AN IRISH PASSPORT .. NOT ONE OF THESE WHO THINKS HIS IRISH CAUSE HIS GREAT GRANNIES UNCLE MOVED TO AMERICA 167 YEARS AGO :) YOU CANT GENERALISE IT WOULD BE LIVE ME SAYING WHEN I WENT TO AMERICA EVEYONE WAS FAT AND ATE MC DONALDS, KFC AND WENDIES .... OK MAYBE YOUR RIGHT WE CAN GENERALISE AND DO DRINK TOO MUCH....AND YOU DEF EAT TOO MUCH
TimWalsh12 | Feb 15, 2013, 01:03 PM EST
It's not to do with drink a large portion of them just have no clue what they're doing, a they're above any criticism. Thus they behave extremely nasty.
ancavker | Feb 15, 2013, 08:30 AM EST
Irish women in Ireland drink too much. And Irish men in Ireland drink too much too. Sad, but true.
TimWalsh12 | Feb 15, 2013, 05:16 AM EST
They really get in your face with their suck up act thinking they can persuade you to like them, it just makes you hate them even more.
TimWalsh12 | Feb 15, 2013, 03:35 AM EST
SingleDonald, "if Irish American girls are great, those coming from the Emerald Isle must be great, as well!" It doesn't automatically follow, American girls are expected to have some awareness of what they are doing, Irish girls don't and are nasty without even realize. Even worse is the tragedy that they suck up to people when they feel it's in their interest and don't realize people can see through their slyness. Worst of all they think their nice personalities are what's best about them.
SingleDonald | Feb 15, 2013, 01:08 AM EST
As I have often said, the "green blooded" girls will always be the best to me! Most of the Irish girls I have known are actually Irish American. I admit that I have very limited contact with girls who were born in Ireland. Happily, I have not noticed the negative stereotypes, which are mentioned in this article. The way I figure it, if Irish American girls are great, those coming from the Emerald Isle must be great, as well!
anglo-norman | Feb 14, 2013, 04:40 PM EST
Low self-esteem with a hugely infated Ego due to over consumption of alcohol is sadly a major factor.
TimWalsh12 | Feb 14, 2013, 04:32 PM EST
Yea, I like most women except the unmentionables. But it's important to rehabilitate them. I don't think all Irish women are that nasty but in Ireland they can get away with it if they want. It maybe 10/20% that have no idea what they are doing but they are the nastiest snarliest creatures on this planet. In the interest of rehabilitating them please tell them that when you see them, most Irish men are too wimpy to.
anglo-norman | Feb 14, 2013, 04:21 PM EST
Now Russian women they are cool...
TimWalsh12 | Feb 14, 2013, 04:10 PM EST
"I was at a party years ago and one irish girl from Clare took a dump in the bath & laughed her head off telling everyone what she did." How dare you question the charm and beauty Irish womanhood, the most exquisite creature to ever grace this planet, regardless of whether they are shitting in someone's bathtub. See Irish women are above any rules, Irish men are at fault they are complete wimps when it comes to Irish women.
anglo-norman | Feb 14, 2013, 04:07 PM EST
also that fake tan stuff even over here in the Us when the weather is hot is a sight to behold. They have a serious inferiority-complex like Irishmen have.
anglo-norman | Feb 14, 2013, 03:54 PM EST
insecure. Women are emotional timebombs anyways but irish women take it to the max. Constant chatter about nothing at all in fact pure garbage. I was at a party years ago and one irish girl from Clare took a dump in the bath & laughed her head off telling everyone what she did. Everyone was disgusted & horrified but to her it was only a bit of craic, mad but true. Bottom line Irish women drink too much!!!
TimWalsh12 | Feb 14, 2013, 03:50 PM EST
"Irish women also have this stupid stubborness & fly off the handle too quickly. Very paranoid &" If it was only that it wouldn't be so bad, the level of hatred and snarling they express then they think they can cover it up by sucking up to people. They are extremely sly and don't realize the rest of the world can see through them. No other group of men in the world would put up with what Irish men have to put up with.
anglo-norman | Feb 14, 2013, 03:42 PM EST
Irish women also have this stupid stubborness & fly off the handle too quickly. Very paranoid &
TimWalsh12 | Feb 14, 2013, 03:24 PM EST
Think the comment that Irish girls are too aggressive is true, Most men I've met around the world are shocked at the nastiness and snarliness of Irish women. Probably why Irish women don't like American men, they wouldn't put up with them.
jamieLM | Feb 14, 2013, 11:26 AM EST
@eireannach, you're right about too many stereotypes. Whenever someones says or infers the word "all" in front of the word Americans or Irish, I know they're an idiot. Marriages between people from different cultures can be especially challenging. They're only successful when the individual couples involved have the ability to compromise and to accept and appreciate the other person's cultural differences. Like all marriages, success depends on the personalities and character traits of each person, regardless of country of origin.
Eireannach | Feb 14, 2013, 10:56 AM EST
I think American men/women and Irish men/women could all learn something from the other. Way too many stereotypes thrown around here!
Scouse Tony | Feb 14, 2013, 02:39 AM EST
Joe Kelsall Has your friend married the girl yet or is it too late. I did exactly the same thing twenty years ago she's either flaming red hair and shouting or flaming red her and total silence, she can start an argument in an empty room.
STEVENSTAR | Feb 13, 2013, 06:52 PM EST
TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH THIS I DONT KNOW ANYONE EVEN DATING AN AMERICAN NEVER MIND MARRIED TO ONE.. NOW IM ONLY TALKING ABOUT OVER HERE IN IRELAND IT MAY BE DIFFERENT OVER THERE IN AMERICA .. BUT BASICALLY THE CULTURES ARE TOO DIFFERENT AND IT DOESNT SEEM TO WORK OUT IN THE LONG RUN.. PERSONALLY SPEAKING I THINK AMERICANS ARE TOO DRAMATIC AND MATERIALISTIC ... AND IRIS DRINK WAY TOO MUCH ,,. SO THAT WHY I BAGGED MYSELF A NICE RESERVED ENGLISH PERSON :)
Pittsburghkid | Feb 13, 2013, 06:05 PM EST
I love these types of articals. I'm sure to some extent woman charm, and that oyhrt dtuff matter. With all woman, it's the bottom line, which is money.
antoman | Feb 13, 2013, 11:57 AM EST
I've been asked so often by American gurls in Patrick's Street, Cork, to spend the night with them. That I had to buy a new underpants.
johnshiel | Feb 13, 2013, 10:36 AM EST
strikingly frank statements! sincere kudo's to writer Sean Brosnan; his interviewing technique was clearly superb. Well done.
Joe Kelsall | Feb 13, 2013, 09:54 AM EST
I am an Irishman. My friend Paul Mahoneyof Boston advised me never to marry an American woman. He saaid "They break your balls". His former wife took a course in assertiveness and asserted herself out of the front door.He has now chosen a Liverpool Irish woman who is not afraid of hard work: like himself.