Irish are the least romantic nation in Europe says new survey- Bah Humbug for Valentine’s Day, not all bad says our single girl
Irish are the least romantic nation in Europe says new survey- Bah Humbug for Valentine’s Day, not all bad says our single girl
By: Jacinta Reilly | Published Tuesday, January 8, 2013, 11:01 PM | Updated Tuesday, January 8, 2013, 11:01 PM
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| Did the Irish kill romance?! |
Breaking news this week: the Irish are the least ‘romantic’ in Europe.
Can you tell us something we didn’t already know please?
According to a
lastminute.com survey, the Irish are at the bottom of the pool when it comes to splurging on the Hallmark inspired holiday.
The findings show that the Irish are at the bottom of the romantic barrel, spending only $200 on Valentine’s getaways.
Did the folks over at lastminute.com not hear about the good ould recession currently battering Irish shores? Surely putting meat and potatoes on the table is more important than some ostentatious Valentine’s get away?
According to the survey, Irish couples have proved themselves to be thrifty but organized – they spend the least compared to other Europeans.
While Ireland may not be oozing with romance for Valentine’s Day, I think they strike a healthy balance. A card and maybe a gift if you are really trying. Of course, here in the States, the good old consumer pitch means the run up to the holiday has reached dizzying proportions. But we still don’t have a patch on the U.S. when it comes to February 14.
Personally, I find the whole Valentine’s thing a bit much here in the States. It starts as soon as the New Year’s ball is dropped in Times Square. Shops filled with love hearts and tacky sentiments. Every restaurant starts advertising ‘romantic Valentine’s dinner for two’.
I would rather drink a 40 in Central Park on my own on Valentine’s night, then try and get a table on one of the busiest, over hyped nights of the year.
One Valentine’s Day here in the States, a man I had met twice sent me a dozen red roses at work. When they arrived, I quickly turned the color of the flowers. I was mortified. I barely knew the guy. It was a sweet thoughtful gesture of course, but too much for Jacinta.
In comparison, while I was in college in Ireland, the guy I was seeing got me an expensive gift basket filled with love-shaped rose soaps that smelled like your old granny. I later found out he played no part in the purchase and sent his mother out to pick something up. Needless to say that romance did not last.
Maybe the Irish are not the most romantic race going, but we are honest, pragmatic and when we need to be, we can be loving. I think we just value sincerity more than romance and I don’t think that is such a bad thing.
One final thought, when do we singletons get our holiday? The ‘Let’s celebrate being single and happy’ (S&H) holiday. Couples get engagements, anniversaries, and all the other holidays together, after all.
So here’s to all the singletons out there this holiday! Join me in Central Park with the rest of the ‘unromantic’ Irish contingent for that 40 and a bit a craic.
Let’s sit this one out and leave the romance to the Americans.
18 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.EamonnDublin | Apr 18, 2012, 01:39 PM EDT
"Jacinta, Your eyes are like pools of sweet honey, searching the horizon for your soulmate; your hair is the sweet-scented cascade of flowers I wrap myself in when I sleep; your face is the face of ........ Jays, I feel sick already. I'll leave that one to the Italian lads. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.
jamieLM | Feb 13, 2012, 12:00 PM EST
My family and I love Valentine's Day! We make it a day of service to others - the sick and the elderly with little or no family. We bake & decorate dozens of valentine cupcakes and the kids make cards and valentines and then we deliver them on the 14th to all those on our list. It's a day for my family to show kindness and caring to those who are less fortunate. We might buy a few chocolates or valentine candy for ourselves, but we certainly don't go overboard. I shop on the 15th and pick up small items on sale to give to others the next year, along with our homemade cupcakes and valentines. Any holiday can be made into your own personal "Hallmark" moment for someone else. For us, it's not about romantic love. It's about showing our Christian love for others.
Springfield9 | Feb 13, 2012, 08:36 AM EST
Valentine's Day has been perverted beyond all recognition. St. Valentine had nothing to do with "sweet hearts". Hallmark has elevated Valentine's Day to the absurd. The Irish are not the least romantic. Perhaps not the most, either. However, what they ARE is the least fascinated by the HALLMARK stupor.
Portia777 | Feb 11, 2012, 10:51 AM EST
Just like Patrick the Patriarch. I just wish people would rsearch and learn what they are buying into while their pockets are being emptied.
Portia777 | Feb 11, 2012, 10:50 AM EST
another saint? Valentine, mmmmmm, just another money making scam.
mamaginnty | Feb 11, 2012, 10:06 AM EST
Valentines day cards and presents were started not for love but to make big money for the sellers. Our irish men are ok the way they are.
gobdawpaddy | Feb 11, 2012, 09:01 AM EST
As a guy in Cork might say, 'of course I loves ye, don't I fla ye, get ye locked n buy ye chips and coleslaw on weekends'.
JBRAFTREE | Feb 10, 2012, 06:02 PM EST
Readmy, good post, let's remember the man or woman that cares or doesn't care counts the most.
readmyredlips | Feb 10, 2012, 01:57 PM EST
Valentine's Day is an overrated commerialized day here in America. Keep it real Ireland. Oh and for the record who needs roses, gifts and chocolates when Irish girls have the most amazing beatiful men with the sexiest accents in the world!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, you girls are lucky.
Murph46 | Feb 10, 2012, 01:32 PM EST
Irish foreplay -Brace yourself Brigid!
CitizenWhy | Feb 10, 2012, 12:22 PM EST
Perhaps St. P's Day should be replaced by the Irish with St. V's Dya (his relic is in Dublin). A big celebration along the lines detailed by muirisobric would be in order.
Heather911 | Feb 10, 2012, 12:04 PM EST
I am an American and I honestly think Valentine's Day is absolutely pathetic. I would rather have a man that will say " I love You" every day, instead of having a nice, expensive gift. Keep it simple because people can steal those gifts, but your memories will always be with you. That, you take to your grave. So for the Irish, stay the way you are.
Nicoletta | Feb 10, 2012, 11:30 AM EST
Can't believe the fuss in the US over Valentine's Day! Back home you're lucky if you get a recycled Christmas card signed 'All the best!"
muirisobric | Feb 10, 2012, 11:11 AM EST
ú no, thats BS. I've brought my wife to McDonalds every valentine's day for the past 30 years even when she doesn't want 2 I do. & they say the Irish Rn't romantic. This year I'll spring for a large french fries as well. So there. Eat úu words
ciaradexy | Feb 10, 2012, 11:07 AM EST
Maybe irish men are romantic with women they love all year round rather than 1 day a year which was created by an American corporation?? Just a thought.
seagreen | Feb 10, 2012, 10:06 AM EST
Valentines Day is an absurd day concocted exclusively by the greeting card and chocolate lobby. How many relationships , marriages, and friendships have gone asunder because of the failure of hard working men to remember to furnish their loved ones with Bon-Bons on this shallow excuse for a holiday The Irish are to be congratulated on their lack of participation (not that it was difficult) in this quasi /emotional ruse called Valentines Day There are enough excess calories floating around Ireland without bringing in more...
Murph46 | Feb 10, 2012, 10:00 AM EST
Who gives a rats a...?
carrickcourt | Feb 10, 2012, 09:57 AM EST
Being a quarter Irish in ancestry this might explain my dislike of the Valentine's Day holiday. Amazing how many cards are now sent out here in USA for holidays where cards were not sent in the past such as the USA Thanksgiving holiday.