First time travelers to Ireland may be apprehensive towards blending in with Irish culture, but fear not, as the Irish are very similar to Americans.
eDiplomat, a site for traveling US diplomats, has provided a breakdown of the most notable cultural differences to be aware of before heading for Ireland. Here, we’ve picked our top ten from that list.
The site describes the Irish accurately as, “interested in people and place great value on the individual. They are naturally courteous, quick-witted and will go out of their way to welcome visitors to their country.”
It continues, “Don't rush the Irish. Although they work very hard, the Irish are dedicated to a less stressful lifestyle that allows time for friends and family, a visit to the pub, a cup of tea, or just a bit of a chat on the corner. Families are closely-knit and very important to the Irish.”
1. Handshakes are important
Handshakes are an important factor upon meeting new people - be it businesspeople, family or friends. A firm handshake with eye contact is expected.
2. ‘Irish Time’
The Irish tend to not be very time-conscious and may not be punctual for business and social meetings. They have a relaxed sense of time and may be a little late for meetings. However, a foreigner should be on time for business meetings.
3. Drinks etiquette
One of the most touchy subjects in Irish culture is the notion of “rounds” while out at a pub or bar drinking. Everyone is expected to buy a round of drinks for everyone else, and turning down a drink can sometimes be understood as insulting.
4. Your best behavior
The Irish respect and expect polite and reserved behavior, and find pretentious behavior to be very off-putting.
5. Leave the lovey-dovey at home
The Irish aren’t too comfortable with public displays of affection and aren’t too physically demonstrative.
6. Dress the part
Traditional Irish garb isn’t flashy and gravitates toward tweed and wool. And - surprise! - it rains a lot in Ireland, so bring a raincoat.
7. Gift-giving
If invited to someone’s home for a meal, bring a small gift as a token of your appreciation. Flowers, a bottle of wine or chocolates usually do the trick.
8. Mind the spuds
Small plates are sometimes offered alongside meal plates as a spot to discard potato peels. It’s considered polite to finish all the food you’re offered at a meal.
9. If on business in Ireland...
Planning and strategy usually come in the short term for the Irish, who aren’t keen on long term planning. Socially, the Irish may be perceived as easy going and amiable, but in business, they are astute and tenacious. Business propositions are often worked out in social settings, such as restaurants or golf courses.
10. In the event of trouble...
Irish people tend to remain calm and get creative in the face of crises.
11 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Buffalobrave | Nov 08, 2012, 09:45 AM EST
"Tweed and wool" What century are you living in?
AmericanFenian | Oct 28, 2012, 12:47 PM EDT
Brock please don't take this rag seriously. I just come here for the entertainment. Going through the tips I would say #s 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 are used in nearly every Western Culture.
dorculla | Oct 10, 2012, 03:54 PM EDT
Sssh Bock, you'll ruin the illusion for them! They'll go mad if they find out Eamon de Valera isn't still alive and he's taken the comely maidens with him!
Bocktherobber | Oct 08, 2012, 03:44 PM EDT
These are the top ten tips on Irish social etiquette. Seriously -- potato skins? As for tweed and wool, whoever wrote this has either never been to Ireland or decided the readers would prefer this sort of tosh. I'm beginning to lose all hope for this website. Clearly, instead of trying to find out about Ireland, the contributors are all googling Darby O'Gill and feeding the results right back to Irish-America. Of course, maybe that's the sort of nonsense Irish-America wants to hear. By the way, guys, we all turn up on time for business meetings. It just takes a while to turn down the shamrock-laden fiddle music.
Bocktherobber | Oct 08, 2012, 03:08 PM EDT
What backwards lunatic wrote this? Unless you enjoy being laughed at, don't turn up to a pub wearing wool or tweed, or a paddy cap for that matter! The plate is for buttering your bread, most people don't leave skins on potatoes when serving. And not finishing your dinner here means you must be unwell...Don't let an Irish mammy see a full plate!
Maggie47 | Oct 08, 2012, 02:42 PM EDT
bread plate yes NO potato plate. having nine brothers and one sister we were lucky to have the potato not alone having an extra plate. geeesh!
Gordan Duggan | Oct 08, 2012, 12:42 PM EDT
Speaking for myself, my family and friends, jeans are usually worn to the pub.
Searlit | Oct 08, 2012, 12:05 PM EDT
Potato skins are delicious on a baked potato. A little extra baking makes the skin crispy.
Liam3494 | Oct 08, 2012, 11:54 AM EDT
As to the side plate, it was a feature at my cousins house in Dublin. My aunty was from Cork originally, and potatoes in their jackets were always served at dinner time, and everyone peeled the skins, using the plate. My own family ate the skins on the potatoes, always the best nutrients in the skin.
DrTrelawney | Oct 08, 2012, 11:39 AM EDT
I absolutely agree with Aoibhinn. I thought this list was actually pretty accurate until I encountered number eight. In 42 YEARS I have never encountered this mythical potato-skin plate.
aoibhinn | Oct 08, 2012, 11:25 AM EDT
In 15 years, I've never encountered number 8. The rest are fairly true.