Irish women have evolved through the decades into an independent, intelligent and ambitious race. We are a force to be reckoned with.
However, our rules of engagement can differ from norms here in the United States. So, best to school yourself in our ways, means, and desires before attempting to woo a lovely Irish girl.
Here are a few guidelines.
1. The Emerald Isle…Google it!
Ireland is a small island on the cusp of Europe. No we don’t live in the dark ages and yes we have electricity, the Internet and Sushi.
If you are going to impress an Irish girl then you need to have a scant knowledge of European geography. Before complimenting us on how well we speak English, take into account that it is in fact our first language.
Perhaps you have not been lucky enough to travel to Ireland, or venture to Europe. However one should express a desire to visit our green pastures.
2. Irish Heritage
Of course you’re Irish! Aren’t we all.
If you insist on telling the world that you have Irish heritage, then please do your homework. It is not OK to claim lineage and then fail to point out which county your ancestors hailed from. Even a guess is better than “Umm I think somewhere in the South”.
If you are tempted to lie about your lineage then throw some Mediterranean countries into the mix also. Maybe your half Italian/Sicilian.
3. Date settings
Where do you bring an Irish lady on a date?
For a first date the movies are out of the running. We like to talk, we are a nation of talkers. Loquacious to the core. So best to bring the lady somewhere you can have some good banter. Dinner, drinks maybe even a walk in the park.
Be imaginative. Use your extended knowledge of your home country to your advantage here.
4. Terms of Endearment
Try where possible to remain endearing without over use of nauseating terms such as honey, sweetie, baby, etc. You are just getting to know each other, chances are you don’t even know eachothers last names. No need for over the top labels.
Generally Irish women are not very good at taking compliments so go easy on the charm. There should be subtlety involved. If you tell an Irish girl she is beautiful, sexy etc they are not going to know where to look. Instead offer mild flattery such as “Your eyes are very pretty”. Our pale skin and freckles are a somewhat touchy subject especially when we are constantly surrounded by American bronzed goddesses. Do not point out the fact that even though it’s the height of summer we still look as white as a ghost.
5. Drinking habits
If by chance there is alcohol involved, take it easy on the gargle. You are not going to impress an Irish girl by getting rat-arsed. Chances are we can and will drink you under the table. So before disaster, admit defeat and take it one drink at a time. In Ireland, light beer is seen as a woman’s drink so perhaps don’t order a Bud Light!
6. Be Chivalrous
Work that American charm that you’re famous for. Hold open doors, offer to pay for drinks/dinner. Irish men are known for many things, but American men definitely trump them in terms of chivalry. So put all those good habits your mother taught you to work.
7. Some Final Don’ts
Do not mention Riverdance, the IRA, or Bono. These topics of conversation will not whip your date into a verbal frenzy. Try to avoid religion and politics also. We are very feisty by nature so it’s not a good idea to get us fired up at this early stage.
All in all, we are not that complicated. We like good banter and a beer. Try not to mention the fact that you still live with your parents and that you don’t know how much your car loan repayments are, because your parents pay them. You need to come across as the stereotypical American man of strength and courage. Just keep these helpful hints in mind and the Irish ladies should be lapping it up.
Originally published in 2010.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.anglo-norman | May 23, 2013, 01:07 PM EDT
Yes they are son
Smyrnian | Apr 11, 2013, 01:52 PM EDT
Anglophile is tacky; as demonstrated by his ignorant, presumptive and prejudicial remark. For your information, Irish women are fabulous.
anglo-norman | Apr 11, 2013, 12:49 PM EDT
Irish women are tacky
Scouse Tony | Apr 11, 2013, 12:32 AM EDT
From my personal experience "just don't" would be a good bit of advice.
mikeIrcentComnt | Apr 10, 2013, 05:56 PM EDT
The comment by scrivener was so good, I decided to frame it: Scrivner | Apr 19, 2012, 03:10 PM EDT I havfe heard Irish girls compared to a saber...hold them too loose and they'll fly out of your grasp, hold them too tight and you'll hurt yourself, hold them just right and they will defend you against all evil doers. This is a properly-stated fact.
SingleDonald | Apr 10, 2013, 12:53 PM EDT
I may have said this before. County Cavan will always bring back a sad memory for me. When I was 9, a horse named Cavan beat Tim Tam in the Belmont Stakes, denying the 1st horse I ever followed (and rooted for) a Triple Crown. Tim Tam snapped a bone in one of his legs, and still was gutsy enough to finish 2nd, 6 1/2 lengths behind Cavan. He never raced again, but became a leading sire for quite some time. Now, if only we could see another Triple Crown winner this year! It was last done by Affirmed, in 1978.
beachcomber | Apr 10, 2013, 10:11 AM EDT
English may be your first language but it is indeed a terrible shame that a "deputy editor" does not understand your and you're. And stevenstar, what do you know about melding cultures, you hate everybody.
jimsoden | Apr 10, 2013, 04:34 AM EDT
Oh, to be back in me mother country! County Cavan! Ballyjamesduff! Being 2nd generation American, I have a nice blend of both the US and Irish cultures soaked into my soul. :-) I would dearly love to find a lovely lass with dark hair and a fiery personality to boot! I just need to win the Lottery to be able to buy that castle in Ireland and make sure it has cable! Cheers! Jim :-)
SingleDonald | Apr 09, 2013, 11:36 PM EDT
slainte, As an Italian American, I appreciate you liking Italian girls. I don't agree with your choices, though. Italian & Hispanic women are fine, but for the BEST girls: If you want to be happy for the rest of your life; Never make an Italian/Hispanic woman your wife, So from my personal point of view, Get an Irish girl to marry you! Of course, I'm including Irish American girls! Jimmy Soul couldn't have done better!!
antoman | Apr 09, 2013, 07:35 PM EDT
Clean underpants. If she's a doctor and you get a slap of a car. She won't treat you without them.
handsome68 | Apr 09, 2013, 05:51 PM EDT
Em, em, 'hem: Mom was Irish-born, County Leitrim to be exact. Some say she was a living saint. I'll not say more about that. The good news is that he did not iron my underwear. I was the second son of two, y'see. The good/bad news is that I will be 70 years young in May, have lived alone for nearly 45 years now but and still can't cook. That last means I mayn't be gay. Although I live in the West Village. My 2013 New Year's Resolution was to stop looking for the perfect woman just because I myself am perfect. All you Sophia Loren or Joan of Arc look-alikes out there, please call me. I may not be able to perform, however.
Smyrnian | Apr 09, 2013, 03:29 PM EDT
Stevenstar - Actually that's not true. A good pal of mine (Irish born and bred same as myself) is married to an American woman 38 years and it worked very nicely. They are the finest couple you could ever find with two great, accomplished kids as well.... and no, this is not unusual. The cultures blend just fine.
STEVENSTAR | Apr 09, 2013, 01:47 PM EDT
WHAT ABOUT A GUIDE FOR AMERICAN LADS DATING IRISH LADS??? AND AMERICAN GIRLS DATING IRISH GIRLS ALSO..ESPECIALLY AS SOON WE'LL HAVE GAY MARRIAGE HERE IN IRELAND. JUST A THOUGHT !! ... BUT ON THE WHOLE THE WHOLE IRISH/ AMERICAN THING DONT WORK.. THE CULTURE THE PEOPLE ARE WAY TOO DIFFERENT. I KNOW 3 IRISH PEOPLE IN AMERICA AND THEY ALL SAY THE SAME THING.. TRUST ME IT NEVER WORKS OUT LONG TERM!!!!!
slainte9 | Apr 09, 2013, 09:58 AM EDT
If you want to be happy for the rest of your life/ never make an Irish woman your wife/ so from my personal point of view get a Hispanic or Italian woman to marry you/ they can cook... cha... cha!
Nicopernicus | Apr 09, 2013, 09:21 AM EDT
Next.
danielbest1 | Apr 09, 2013, 09:16 AM EDT
if u want some decent action there are way better places to go!south america etc!rather tanned girls than white/freckled/gingers etc
Scrivner | Apr 19, 2012, 03:10 PM EDT
I havfe heard Irish girls compared to a saber...hold them too loose and they'll fly out of your grasp, hold them too tight and you'll hurt yourself, hold them just right and they will defend you against all evil doers.
Fionnlagh | Apr 18, 2012, 04:59 PM EDT
The author didn't mention the well deserved and notroius Irish temper! Pssst! It not just a stereotype. Deal with her with honesty and build trust. Other than that the article was very insightful.
ciaradexy | Apr 18, 2012, 12:24 PM EDT
IrelandNorth, the first language of the state is Irish but the first language of a massive majority is English.
IrelandNorth | Apr 18, 2012, 06:05 AM EDT
Actually, Molly! I hate to be my usual pedantic self, but Bunreacht na h'Eireann/Constitution of Ireland, 1937 states that the first official language of the state is Irish (or Gaelic), followed by Bearla (English). But you're right about characrteristic Irish verbosity. So togther with characteristic female verbosity, any duderino Americano will need attentive listening skills (and to carry his airline earplugs with him at all time), when listening to the average cailín (colleen). My own wife thinks I'm a good listener. I've been deaf for years. (Just kiddin').
SingleDonald | Apr 17, 2012, 10:50 PM EDT
I love this piece, as I love Irish girls! The only one I would have to change is my liking of Coors, or Bud light! It is NOT a girls' drink; many guys drink it! I am not a heavy drinker, am chivilrous, and conversational. Of course, being an Italian American, I would say that my only Irish "roots" are my Catholic Grade School, located in Woodside, N.Y. BTW, I have an alumni event to attend there, 4/28. I hope to see my co-favorite grammer school girl, a married red head. My other favorite is one of the 75 Most Influential Irish Women in America. Having left Sunnyside (neighboring part of Queens) at the end of 2nd Grade, I really don't expect her to show up. It would be nice though, if she did, as neither of us has ever been married!
deedubdeedub | Apr 17, 2012, 05:11 PM EDT
American guys don't like to talk, they are not chatty so I don't see it working....
Reilleyfam | Apr 17, 2012, 02:43 PM EDT
Watch out for "Travlers" & truth is every girl from Ireland I met in the USA was so obsessed with money that it was a real turn off. Bossy & greedy.
Reilleyfam | Apr 17, 2012, 02:41 PM EDT
In America "light beer" is a girls drink.
JBRAFTREE | Apr 17, 2012, 02:16 PM EDT
Molly: A cute piece, but I hope you don't talk 'down' to American men like this or 'ya probably won't be talking to a happy 'yank'.
Springfield9 | Apr 17, 2012, 12:36 PM EDT
You forgot one - semi-supernatural. When you really over-do it watching the game. Upon your return you will get "The Beaming Eye" - which can really upset the evening.