Busting Ireland

The spot where I will discuss culture, things I learn (mostly from locals or experience)

 

Post I
Just a few words I've heard so far that are different in America, or that we just flat out don't have:

1. Craic (pronounced "crack")= Fun (basically)
       Example: "That place is always great craic."

2. Grand= Good/great
       Example: "Oh you're grand."

3. Gas= Funny
       Example: *Something funny happens* "That is so gas!"

4. Primary school= Elementary AND Middle school.

5. Secondary school= High School

6. Biscuits=cookies (and cookies also=cookies...but biscuits don't mean a fluffy bread rolls.)

7. Jam=Jelly and Jelly=Jello
       Example: Peanut butter and Jam sandwich; make Jelly using a mold.

8. "You're very welcome"= "Welcome"
       Example: Upon welcoming you to a new place, they say "you're very welcome" instead of just "welcome." (It's adorable and confusing).

9. "Unreal"= Amazing/ Fantastic/ Brilliant
       Example: "That street performer was unreal!"

10. Ride vs. Lift= "Ride" is sexually based--Lift is when you are asking to be driven home, etc. Don't ask for a ride home. (Unless you know what you're asking for...)

11. Shifting= kissing/ making out

12. Savage= awesome/ sick/ cool

13. "Thanks a million"= the lovely Irish way of saying "thanks." (It just makes them sound so much more grateful for everything.)

14. What's the story? = What's up?/ What's going on?

15. I can't even be bothered = I don't really want to (ish)
        Example: I can't even be bothered to do this work anymore.



Post II: Q and A
Q and A's anyone? Yes? Grand. Here you go.


First: ME

Why did you choose to study in Ireland? 
My heritage is here, and for many years I have been studying the Irish culture, history, way of life, and just fell in love with it. Then my family and I came and visited a couple of years ago and I knew immediately that I had to come back for a longer time. So glad I did.

And why Galway--why not Dublin? 
Well, it was between Galway or Dublin in the end--but when we visited Galway it just had a much better feel to it. It feels safer, cleaner, closer, more traditionally Irish, and is (of course) really gorgeous as well. Dublin is fine for a short visit, but I am a Galway girl for sure. I love this city and have already started to call it 'home,' just because I feel so comfortable here. I definitely made the right decision.


Social (Weather, Irish people, Accents, Entertainment, Politics)
 

How’s the weather?

Well, I just happened to have been here for one of the best/ warmest Septembers Galway has ever had--so the weather has been absolutely grand for the most part! However, it has gotten much much colder the past couple of weeks, and has started raining/hailing on and off on occasion--and I have been informed it only gets worse and to be prepared.

Are Irish boys/ men more attractive than Americans?

Jumping right into it. Well, just like everywhere else, there are both attractive and (let’s say) average people. They are no more or less romantic or stylish (as the movies might have us believe), as far as I can tell. That being said: their boldness/ straightforward attitudes can be alluring to some, and they do have the accents that can sometimes confuse Americans into finding them more attractive and/or intelligent than they actually are. 

What about Irish girls?

They tend to dress up nicer (most of them) when they go out at night--their hair and makeup is usually well-done, they wear heels, etc.. But, again, not much different than anywhere else--same goes for the ladies as the men. They are just people. 

What is your overall impression of the people?

I absolutely love them. The majority of people here have been so friendly and kind, and are always welcoming and accommodating. They are a huge part of the reason why I never want to leave. 

Do you love the accents?

I still smile sometimes just listening to people here talk. I've also been informed that I may be starting to get one (fingers crossed, right?). 

Do you ever have trouble understanding people?

Not personally. There are some moments when I have to ask someone to repeat something, but usually it is because they spoke too quietly, not the accent. But, then, I do watch a lot of British/ Irish television and movies, and have been studying Ireland for many years, so that may be why I haven't had any issue with that. 

What kind of TV do they watch?

A lot of American shows. Mostly American shows, actually. Then they've got their Irish, British, and Australian shows as well (mostly soaps) and reality shows too. 

What about music?

Everyone as their individual preferences, but Top 40 is a thing over here as well--and it's the same stuff as in America, as far as I know.  

So not all Irish music?

Not really. People will know Irish music, there are societies on campus that focus around traditional music, it's played in tons of the pubs, but that's not what they listen to regularly--it's more of an 'on occasion' thing. 

Is everyone redheaded?

Don't be daft! Of course not. That being said...Ireland does have the second highest percentage of redheads in the world (behind the U.S.). About 10% of Irish people are redhead (still not much) whereas, out of the world population, only 2% are. So I do feel like I see and know more natural redheads here than I ever have outside of Ireland, but it certainly isn't ever person or every other person. 

Is everyone really religious? 

Well, the majority of the population identifies as Catholic, but most young people here aren't really practicing Christians/ Catholics. I think it's the same as anywhere, really. Though they do make fun of the religious 'nuts' in America. 

What are the top buzzing political issues there? 

Abortion is probably the biggest debate that I've noticed. When we were in Dublin there was even a Pro-choice rally on and there are murals on it throughout Galway--even on campus. They also have their referendum on Gay marriage in the summer next (right now they can have civil partnerships). And there is some push for marijuana to be legalized. Then there is the pay equality stuff, and the economic issues that are a constant topic. So, essentially the same issues America is dealing with now as well. 

What do they know about America?

Many of them know a LOT about America--and are mostly pretty accurate. They watch American television and movies, so a lot comes from that. But many people also have relatives in America, have been before, etc, and they will watch our news stations as well. (Example: They make fun of Fox. And others. It's grand.) Some people even watch American sports! There are a lot of very Americanized things over here actually. 

Crime

Are there still a lot of problems with Northern Ireland? 

Not so much. There was a treaty signed in the 90's that put an end to The Troubles between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and since then things have really cooled down. Sure there are probably still people that are not happy and may try and start some minor skirmish--but that's as far as it goes. 

So the IRA isn't a thing anymore?

They are, but they aren't as large or as active as they were before and are not causing any major issues anymore. 

Is there a lot of crime there? 

Nope. It is a very safe country, and typically the only violent crimes you hear about are within gangs/ gang on gang violence. They do have their problems with drugs--just like most countries do--but compared to most? It's not bad at all. 

Gun laws?

Strict, specific--very few guns and only owned by certain people. Unless you are mixed up with hunters/farmers or some very nefarious people, you will never see or hear about guns here. 

Driving

When can people get a driver's license there? 

17. 

Why does everyone drive manual cars there? 

I was told it's because everyone here likes to think they are really good drivers.

Are they good drivers?

Yes? Ish? They certainly don't seem to have many wrecks, which--given how fast and haphazardly they go on teeny tiny roads--I truly don't know how they do. It's quite impressive, really.  

Do they yield to pedestrians? 

Not so much--if you jaywalk, you are taking your life in your own hands, that is for sure.  

Drinking

What is the drinking age?

18. 

Do people there drink as much as other people think?

 ...Yes? Ireland is a drinking culture, but that also means that--for the most part--people are smart about drinking here. They know how to handle themselves. It's not like every pub you go into everyone is completely plastered--sure there are people who get drunk, but for the most part drinking here is about the social aspect. It's a sort of social fabric--not taboo at all--and all the pubs provide a great fun atmosphere in which you can drink, listen to music, relax, and just hang out. 

Have you been pressured to drink?

Actually, to be honest, people here are a lot more accepting of my not drinking (very often) than people in America have been--and I'm not even legal in America! Here, I tell people I don't really drink much (for various reasons) and they say things like 'good for you, you're saving so much money!' Where in America most would try and convince me I just needed a different type of drink. 

If anyone has any other questions--please let me know! Comment on this page, facebook message me, email me, whatever floats your boat! And thanks for reading!