As an American living in Galway City, Ireland, I am quite confident (my own Irish friends) that the Irish really like Americans. As I have legally resided here for more than two years and am no longer considered a “tourist” or “outsider”, my acquaintances tend not to “care” about the language when I am around. From the comments and conversations I occasionally hear on the subject of the United States, I have deduced that the Irish perceive us as a social group. Bold, often brash and outspoken, but respected as a people with whom one usually knows where he stands.
However, in preparation for writing this article, I posed the question directly to one of my closest friends, Brian. He replied that although the Irish as a whole are not particularly interested in American politics at the moment, an opinion, I must add, that seems to be shared by the majority of EU Americans, ourselves … well, they like us. very well.
Another friend I spoke to echoed Brian’s sentiments and then went on to relate a conversation he had recently overheard. A man from the United States had been greatly offended at being called “Yankee”, complaining loudly that the term was almost a racial slur, similar to an American referring to an Irishman as “Paddy.”
Well, as someone who lives here, you would have to totally disagree with that guy’s interpretation. In fact, Brian has two friends named “Kathy”, and he has me in his mobile phone’s address book as Kathy jerk. When I raised the matter with him for clarification, he explained that the term Yank is meant to be affectionate, not derogatory in any way.
Therefore, there.
All that said, however, no one would say that there are cultural differences between the two societies. If I do say so, I have become quite adept at spotting an American tourist before he opens his mouth. It’s hard to put into words, but there is something about our personalities: we are more demonstrative, more assertive (perhaps we tend to demonstrate a little less patience in general) than our average Irish friend.
As for being easy to see … well, wandering past medieval castles, ancient stone circles, and other age-old heritage sites with your mouth going wild in amazement is practically a sign of death. But it’s also easy to see each other in pubs. While traditional Irish musicians play the violin, uillean flutes and bodhran (those round, wooden, hand drums that are played with a double beater), we are the ones with big smiles on our faces, as we bow our heads to the animated rhythm.
And it would be those same things that seem to make us love the Irish people. (I told my friend Jackie the other day that I was “slow as molasses” to do something. And of course I’ll never hear the end of that.) But let’s face it, in terms of age, the United States is a child mother in the grand scheme of things. TO big baby, no doubt, but still a country less than three hundred years old. Then we discover Ireland, a place where we are surrounded by ancient structures and artifacts, many of which date back to prehistoric times.
I will always remember the awe I felt during my first trip here. Driving down the narrow, winding roads that cut through County Clare after leaving Shannon Airport, I suddenly looked up. Behold, on the top of a hill there was an ancient castle made of real and true-to-life stone! Amazing fairy tale!
So the only advice I would give to anyone visiting Ireland, or any other foreign country, is to watch your manners. I mean, we are guests in someone else’s home, after all, and we should behave accordingly using proper travel etiquette.
With that in mind, I have written a short list of “Dos and Don’ts” that should make you feel welcome, not just in Ireland, but anywhere in the world.
Be courteous, not boastful or argumentative. (Remember, nobody likes a know-it-all)
Do not complain about the prices, the waiting lines or the weather (Come on … you knew it was raining a lot here before you decided to come).
Don’t boast that things are much bigger, better, more modern, etc.
Keep your voice down. People three tables away don’t care how much you made when you closed the last deal.
In closing, I would like to say to Americans planning a visit to Ireland: Cead mile failte (one hundred thousand welcomes). Come and enjoy the ceol agus craic (music and fun) and experience for yourself the gracious warmth and charm of the Irish.
Who knows? You may be like me and find that you never want to leave. “