Not all stereotypes are created equal, but they exist for a reason, and Ireland has its fair share.
Try as we might to distance ourselves from the less-charming stereotypes imposed on us by other nations, there are just some molds we can’t help but remain firmly lodged in.
They are simply part of our collective cultural make-up, and the truth is we built half of them ourselves. Here are ten stereotypes that will never get old.
10. We carry a coat everywhere – just in case (you can never be sure!)
We know Ireland is notorious for experiencing four seasons in one day. You could go so far as to say in one morning and not be exaggerating.
The national dressing strategy is layers, and a coat is not optional outerwear; it’s your top layer and best form of security. You will never be accused of “trying to catch your death” with a coat close to hand at all times.
9. Our inability to accept a compliment – “from Pennys, only €5, sure where would you be going?”
Although considered a nation of storytellers with a deep love of elaborate chats, pay an Irishman/woman a compliment and watch them squirm while mumbling “ah, stop” through gritted teeth.
The simple, polite response of “thank you” is far beyond our capabilities, and we’d rather the ground swallow us whole than look someone in the eye and say thanks for saying we look well. An insult, on the other hand, sits more comfortably with us.
8. Obsession with wakes and funerals – the fundamental need to pay our respects
It doesn’t matter if it’s the neighbour you’ve known since birth or the second cousin of the girl you fancied in primary school, every coffin gets its due.
It’s not always necessary to attend both the wake and the funeral, but rest assured, notes will be taken as to who showed up and who didn’t. Go for the ham salad sandwiches; stay for the sense of togetherness.
7. Deep passion for the GAA and local sports – one word, Mayo
Is it possible that even Kerry was behind Mayo when both teams took to Croke Park on July 26th? Okay, maybe that’s a little too outlandish a suggestion.
But there is no denying that the entire country of Ireland was fizzing with excitement on that All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Sunday. And lest we forget that Paul Mescal single-handedly turned GAA shorts into a fashion moment, witnessed the world over.
6. The prolonged goodbye – baby, bye bye bye
We’re all guilty of it. The car door’s shut, the window’s rolling up, and you’re still saying it. You’ve hung up the phone three times, and somehow you’re still talking.
Goodbye alone is insufficient; it doesn’t say enough. The same love and care isn’t implied as much as “byebyebyebye okbyenow byebyebye”. We all feel it.
5. Irish bars abroad – we’ll make our own Irishtown wherever we roam
Have we even gone on holidays if scoping out the nearest Irish bar isn’t top of the agenda on touchdown? Of course, we’ll proceed to announce at volume with the first split of the G “Nope, shit pint” but that’s beside the point.
We like to congratulate ourselves on being the best craic, so it’s only natural we seek each other out. Somewhere, right now, there’s a group of Irish lads deep into their J1 summer, holding court in an “Irish bar” in a country that never sees rain.
4. Tea is the answer – what was the question?
Barry’s or Lyons? It doesn’t really matter, but never has a beverage worked harder in all its life. Regardless of the situation, there’s little a pot of tea can’t cure.
It could be down to the fact that it normally comes hand-in-hand with a sympathetic ear and is served alongside a plate of sweet treats. Either way, you’re settling in, making yourself comfortable, and within the hour all major concerns will be dealt with.
3. The immersion – that switch flipped on haunts us all
Whether you’ve grown up in an Irish household or simply spent the night in one and asked if you could shower in the morning, you will no doubt have been made well aware of the immersion situation.
Nothing gets those anxiety levels skyrocketing quite so high as sitting in Mass, and having your mother lean over and ask if you turned off the immersion. The ESB bill runs riot with that running immersion.
2. Love a drink – but is it for the love of alcohol or for the craic?
Ireland today has its fair share of sober-curious and teetotal folk, but the local pub continues to hold court over the beating heart of Irish society.
Of course, oat matchas and keeping on top of our biometrics have their place, but nothing gets to the crux of the matter quite so fast or as easily as a pint and packet of crisps on a Tuesday afternoon after work. They can ban our cigarettes, but they’ll never take our pubs. We hope.
1. Potatoes – can you even call it dinner without them?
Try serving an Irish dinner without spuds and see what happens. Uproar. And understandably so since they’re endlessly versatile, satiatingly delicious and arguably the best accompaniment to any dish. They even work as a standalone meal; simply add butter.
In a pinch, Tayto counts as one of your 5-a-day. And there’s never any need to get fancy with potato salad. Nobody ever wants capers in their potato salad.
And there you have it. Ten Irish stereotypes that are actually true, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. They’re not so much a case of lazy generalisations, but rather, pillars of national character.
