I saw my grandmother refuse any host-offering twice before accepting (only with another Irish person). I asked "why twice?". She told me it is a "saving-face" custom left over from the Irish poverty days. It was expected that the host would offer something to eat to guests but may not really have it. The one being asked; "would you like a piece of cake?" knows to refuse and the host will customarily ask again, but the guest should refuse again. If the host really has cake to offer, she'll ask the third time but if not, both will avoid the embarrassment.
That's funny, I grew up in the midwest, and that was a cultural thing too. You always refuse 2 or 3 times, but the way you refuse lets your host know if you really mean it, or not. If you're saying, "oh no no thank you, I just had ___" they'll maybe ask once more, BUT, if your answer is something like: "ooh, don't trouble yourself" and then your second no is some comment about your not needing cake/pie/whatever, as you're getting fat, etc, you will get the hard press & accept, of course. Proper etiquette also means you'll praise that cake or pie to high heavens, even if it's ordinary. I grew up watching this social dance played out a thousand times, but across the board in the US...not so much. I understand the Chinese have a similar custom too. 🤷♀️
The comment about the mean jokes or "slagging" is so true. That quick Irish wit along with their sense of humor can be hilarious. It's the best when two friends go at it without holding back.
That happens in Coventry, where I live. Though that may be legacy of the many Irish who came here after WW2 to rebuild the city and work in the car factories.
Yea you'd think two Irish people hate each other when you hear us going at eachother but it actually means we're friends for life you have to be careful with foreigner though as even the watered down version could offend them.
@@stephena1196 Irish English and Welsh all have the slaging trate but the Scots are the worst or best depending on your outlook they make us paddy's look like a bunch of snowflakes.
I visited a small country town in western Ireland in 2019. I went out to a pub one night with my air bnb host. One thing that struck me (and I just loved this) is that people in this pub weren't on their phones, watching TV, ignoring each other, or keeping to themselves. There were people of all ages, talking to each other, laughing, and having a wonderful time with one another. In my experience, even in some of the smaller towns I've visited/lived in America where people might know each other a bit more, the little pubs and cafes in these town, though they are wonderful and charming in their own rights, do not have the same culture of everyone connecting with each other like this. In the pub I went to there were musicians and everyone sang along with them. After the gig the musicians passed the guitar around and everyone took turns playing songs and singing in the back room of this pub that had a sweet little fireplace. It was so cozy. I don't know if this atmosphere of friendliness and togetherness was particular to this exact small town pub in Western Ireland, or if my experience speaks to greater Irish culture in western Ireland, but as a shy person visiting Ireland from America, everyone's friendliness really helped my shyness melt away. I had such a wonderful time. Thanks for this informative video! I'll keep these tips in mind if I ever get to visit again. :)
Huh.... Why do people even go to a pub if not to have the craic with whoever's in the pub? May as well bring some cans home if the plan is to watch tv!
@@Jamie-nv3wp My thoughts exactly! In my experience in the states, there definitely are pubs with people meeting up and enjoying each other's company. But it is not uncommon for there to be TV's everywhere and maybe 1-3 people meeting up to enjoy each other but otherwise ignoring everyone else around them. Also, people being on their phones or talking over the band's music with anyone they came to the pub with.
I live in America and have a good amount of Irish/ Scottish decent, a lot of the "norms" you described I find very prevalent in my own family here in the US. Kinda cool to see how traditions/ customs get passed down and stay in the lineage.
I agree. A lot of this is normal to southerners & the mid west. On the west coast we have a lot of immigrants & different nationalities so we wave or nod our heads or wave out of respect & acknowledgment. Usually when a pedestrian is crossing the street in front of a car or when walking past someone. Most of them s is just common etiquette. My family is military my father was a Marine we curse a lot so when I speak people think it's rude get offended they don't realize that's just the culture of how I was raised I have to correct myself constantly I'd probably fit in quite well in Ireland.
I am Italian but I moved to Donegal three years ago :) One of the first things i noticed is people always wave at you while driving and almost everyone says "hallo" or "how are you" when you walk :) and I love that, in my hometown Milan it would never happen.
Milan to Donegal? How Can You Stand all The Rain!? . . . And those tiny invisible flies that come out of the peat and bite you!? But then, I guess the wonderful friendly Irish people make up for it. :-)
It's because Milian is a city of what 2 or 3 million? where you are in donegal is probably 2 or 3 thousand if that. That's why they all know each other.
@@MolloyPolloy This happens a lot in small country places because they are small communities that tend to know each other rather than Milan where you pass thousands of people every day and you can't exactly wave at everyone. Go down O Connell street in Dublin and wave at people and see what happens then tell me Irish culture?
I'm a first generation American (both parents are from Ireland). I had no idea these were things all Irish people did; I just thought that's how my parents were.
Same but 2nd gen, not sure if I was brought up with typical polite American manners or if the culture from my Irish grandparents (on both sides) carried over to my parents, and then that's how they raised me haha I'd really like to say it's typical of American and western society but....
Same! But first generation Canadian. Maternal family side is from Belfast, originally from Country Cork. I find many of these things I do but some I don't do at all (I don't really drink alcohol at all. It gives me headaches so I avoid it almost entirely. I also am almost always on time or even early by up to 1/2 hour so I can walk around and grab a coffee, but that could be my German side.)
@@keith7564 oh Yes! Of Course area we live is bound to swear more others, e.g. swearing might be more common in heart of Dublin than in some rural village. But here in Australia it seems every other word is an expletive.
Pretty spot on with many of those. If my Irish mom received a cup of weak tea she'd comment something like, "Ah, that's innocent water boiled to death!" and proceed to go and make herself a fresh brew. The F word is usually replaced with "Feckin" by Irish. Sounds so much nicer and more acceptable 🤣. Saying thank you to the bus driver is an absolute must. 😊
I can't believe how much of this I do as an American with Irish roots. It's like it was ingrained in my family. We're three generations from the boat, and we do most of this unconsciously. :)
I was in a small Belgian town a couple of years ago and went for a walk along a lovely canal on the outskirts. There were only a few people walking there. Of course being Irish I said 'hello lovely day isn't it'. ..it had been pissing rain all the day before... to the first people I passed, a middle aged couple. The two of them gave me a filthy look...like I was planning to rob them or something... I thought wow bad mood them, and being kindly I also thought well maybe they've just had a bereavement or some such, and continued on my merry way. But the same thing happened with the next pair of walkers I passed when I acknowledged their existence - though they didn't look quite as distressed about it as the first couple.. they just stared at me in a kind of incomprehension. I began to think that it must be rude there culturally to acknowledge any one you pass, like some kind of intrusion on their personal space? So the next people I passed, and feeling very rude about doing it, I didn't look at or say hello to them, but I watched and they just walked on by as if I wasn't there too. So I thought jeez I better get the hang of this because It was so alien for me to ignore everyone I pass, it was just so weird, but I was almost laughing about it to myself as well. Can ye imagine in Ireland going out for a stroll and passing someone and neither of you either nodding or smiling or sharing a howrya between ye... Just wouldn't happen... 🤣
People r like that in cities here, they don't expect you to say hi. But in small towns alot is similar its polite to say hi and wave at anyone you see on the road. I grew up in a big city and when I first moved out I was shocked strangers were talking to me! Now I try and say hi no matter where I am 🍁
Yes if someone engaged me on a canal bank in my own country, in a foreign tongue, I'd probably throw them an odd look too. There was one weirdo involved in these little situations, and that I'm afraid to tell you, was you.
I think many cultures feature slagging amongst friends. In America, you can get pretty derogatory with close friends. They know you're kidding around with them. Most can give as good as they take.
How about Are you reading that paper you're sitting on? Pointing at an empty chair and saying, Is there anyone sitting here? Asking a publican, Are you open yet? And he says, No! But come in and a have a drink while you're waiting! With all the shit going on in the world, If my father was alive today, he'd turn in his grave! I like kids, I use to go to school with them! What was the lightest you've ever weighed? 7lbs 4 ounces. Do you drink? Do I what? Does Dolly Parton sleep on her back! Do you believe in sex before marriage? No! It's not right to keep the guests waiting. I've to go and see my doctor tomorrow afternoon. He hasn't been well lately!
@@stevez.6805 Irish slagging is something else tho, it delves very much into the culture and even the language, and it's a lot more complicated than you might think
In romania that word doesn’t even exist. That’s literally the way we speak to each other all the time lol. When you call someone stupid for the first time, that’s when you know it’s pure friendship😌
Saying thank you to the bus and train operators is a habit I learned from my Irish mom so far back I can't remember ever not doing it. People notice this and will sometimes comment on it. I have had people start doing it because they heard me and thought how nice it was! It's kind, and neighborly!
If you do that in Scotland then you'll fit right in, because thanking bus drivers etc is the norm here 🏴 too. Me, I think it's just good manners. 😉
I just moved to Ireland, I am from Ukraine, thank you for this video, it's really helpful, English is not my native language, so living in Ireland may be kinda difficult for me itself and after recognizing that I didn't know all of these.. hahahahahaha
As a Celtic country, Gaeilge is the language of the Celts, it is taught in schools and is known by all, it is spoken at home also. A good standard of Gaeilge when one works with the State, provides 10% extra on salary There are 2 Sectors in Ireland the EU and non EU. Enjoy the Celtic country of Ireland, visit Newgrange older than the Pyramids. Slan go foill.
“Ahsur, it’s only down the road” is another good one. 45 minutes late you arrive at your “only down the road” designation! I’m irish and when my husband (luxembourgish) and I go back to Ireland I always say: “Ahsur, it’s only down the road.” He’s like, no! No it’s not!
Patrice Mc Cormack similar to “just around the corner”. When I was a child visiting my grandparents, they would send us to the shop just around the corner to get some things. There may have been a corner involved but it could be a mile or so down the road. 😂😂
My experience was, “take the next turning and follow the main road.” Didn’t say which way to turn... Left? Right? Main road? So there will be less important roads we ignore? 😬
Hi Wolfe, I'm from Mauritius and relocated to Ireland on March 2020, thank you so so much for making this video, I've noted down everything and every tiny details you said. It's really helping me in my daily life and at work. Initially I was struggling to understand the people here and taking time to think and response but after watching carefully to this video, I'm finding it easy now to integrate into Irish culture, it's really really helping me alot. Thank you so much.
I've been living in Ireland for about 18 months and the "bye bye bye" was the funniest for me, because I always heard my boss saying that but I thought it was his way to finish the call lol Loved the video!
This is amazing to hear as I am American, reared in the vicinity of NYC and almost everything that you mentioned applies here as well. Now living in the greater Boston area and most of it applies here too. Must have been strongly influenced by the emigration out of Ireland when these cities were still small.
Re: rounds. A good rule of thumb is get the round in early. Doing this means that should you wish to leave early you are perfectly entitled to do so before it comes round to your turn next.
Thank you for these tips! I'm an Irish-American from Brooklyn who moved to Dublin last year and have learned many of these in context and am doing my best to get them right. The big one I've been getting wrong is "go on," so thanks for explaining that. If someone said that to a New Yorker, we'd just shrug and say, "OK, whatever" and move on. Shop assistants here will often say "are you all right?" and it makes me wonder if I look unwell, but they're really asking if I need any help. After decades of enduring New York "etiquette," Irish etiquette is great craic.
In Boston our "Irish goodbye" is when you slip away without saying goodbye at all. I suspect this comes from not wanting to get sucked into a half hour of goodbyes. 😉
Do you mean at family gatherings or just parties with friends? I live in Massachusetts and we usually say goodbye at family parties but it is definitely a quick see you later. My wife's family is French Canadian and it is definitely a half hour goodbye.
Ahhhhh yes, the Irish exit!!!! My family is French catholic and Irish catholic and I feel it goes with the French side as well. Maybe it’s a catholic thing? It takes so long to say goodbye and leave. If your in a hurry or just over it, you gotta just leave, or it’ll be forever!!!!
This video explains so many things from my past that I had no idea were connected to my Irish heritage. Three out of four of my grandparents born there. Like in our family we always say goodbye a thousand times before we leave any gatherings. We swear like banshees (but only with family or close friends). We can not let anyone leave the house without offering food or something for them to take home, and everyone says, no they don't need it, but then we insist and they say okay. Really most of this except the tipping and the "howeyeh". We were always late. Can't stand when people butt in line. I still can't pass people on the street or on the trail without saying hello. My entire childhood was slagging, and my friends now all love to tease each other. Thanks for making this. Loved it.
Kathy! Me too! I learned to say...no tahnk you...and our family made fun of each other in the most devoted way...my mother say so many damns...and hells....
I’m Catalan, 20 years here now. I love all this, they’re so true! One I noticed is how taxi drivers are so chatty, never stop talking! I am so used to it now than when I go to Bcn I keep forgetting and the look I get when I start chatting…
Interesting video. As a Paddy myself whose lived in the US for 20 years I think it's sad that some of the younger generation speak with a So Cal accent! Jaysus! And we don't all do rounds. Never did until I came to the US. Diddly, diddle, dee, begorah begosh!
In my experince the vast majority do buy rounds, but 'Howeyeh' is very particular to Dublin, nowhere else in Ireland and even then not all Dubliners use the expression, just as I would say not all New Yorkers say 'Howyadoin?'
I was not expecting to have such similar customs living in Australia but I guess I shouldn't be suprised since my family are Irish. This was brilliant to watch and gave me a good laugh. Thank you :)
Indeed, Helen, with so many of our transported convict population and then later the free immigrants coming from Ireland, many customs typical in Ireland are also typical here in Australia.
Honestly.. Since the day I've known Enya, U2, The Cranberries, Boyzone, The Corrs, Westlife and Celtic Woman.. The Irish people will ALWAYS, ALWAYS have a special place to my ♥️.. They've made my highschool & college years MEMORABLE & UNFORGETTABLE... Even their accent is cool! Love from Manila 🙏🏻
This is sooo Minnesota! Except maybe the swearing, that’s more a person to person thing and tea, though I see more and more people drinking tea. There is a large population of people in Minnesota that have Irish heritage so maybe that’s why. Me included. It was fun watching and learning about the similarities. Minnesotans are famous for our long goodbye and being friendly (waving at strangers or anyone you pass by in the street)
Good one! I was living in Ireland for some years and I experienced all these points. My favourite, by far, is waving in the car with one or two fingers. It took me a while to abandon the habit when I came back to Spain!
Hi Yolanda how are you. Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪 to Spain 🇪🇸. It’s a lovely video. Good you enjoyed your time here. I have enjoyed holidays in Spain. Best wishes to you for a lovely day 😊🙏 Michael
I need to share this with my wife. Being half Irish this explains a LOT as to why I act the way I do with the exception of personal space. I was raised in Peru so friends kiss on the cheek.
Im so grateful to you for making this video, these are definitely things I'll have to keep in mind. Im Dutch and I'm moving to Ireland later this year for my studies. I don't drink much and Im extremely punctual, so I will definitely need to adjust to the cultural difference. I actually have a funny story about the 'how are you' phrase as a greeting. I was once part of a group that mainly consisted of English people and we were staying in a hotel. Everyone morning in the breakfast hall, people would come up to me and say 'how are you'. At first Id be flattered that they cared enough to ask, so I would start answering them, and I'd feel so offended when they walked off midway through my answer. It took me a while to realise it was a greeting, not a question. In the Netherlands you only ask someone how they're doing if you genuinely care, otherwise you don't ask. Im definitely gonna fuck up with the 'Ill let you go' one too, I already know haha. This is definitely the kind of content that I need to see before moving!
There's a difference between 'howaya' & 'how are you' If someone knows you weren't well, or went through a bad patch 'how are you?' really is asking how you're doing. Not 'howaya' though. Ever.
If someone you don't know well asks "how are you" or "how are you this morning", its adequate to reply "I'm fine". Then go on with ordering breakfast or whatever. It's just a greeting really and they aren't expecting you to tell them how you really are. Only someone you are familiar with or someone who knows/cares about your circumstances, bad luck etc, will say "how are you" and expect you to elaborate. You will be able to tell the difference in the tone of voice. Also, it's not mandatory to drink a lot or swear a lot in Ireland. Many people go to the pub to socialise but it IS allowed if you want to drink Coke all night. You'll still have a good time. And it's a mistake to get the impression that we're all going about 'effing and blinding'. But it's ok if you want to, but be sure to choose your company. 😉 Good luck and Céad míle fáilte.☘☘
Thank you so much for the tips. My wife and I plan on going to Kerry, Ireland in the fall and etiquette is really important to me as a tourist (We’re not your stereotypical Americans). I think anyone traveling to another country should know the social customs of that country.
Fascinating! I ran into the one or two finger wave in Northern Michigan. When someone asked why I didn’t do it (to everyone you pass) I remarked that I didn’t know it was a “thing”. Never saw it before!
Brandi Spry you are the friendliest of all the Americans, I love me some Texans. I’m from Seattle, and some people were friendly to me in a parking lot in Texas, and I thought they were being disingenuous - I even asked if they were messing with me, and they said “no, no”. That’s how not friendly people in the northwest are. They are reasonably polite, but more passive aggressive.
I am Canadian and Irish, and I love these posts! 💗 I am so happy that so many of our cultural social customs are so similar to what I've experienced growing up in 🇨🇦
I'm from Spain, I have visited and enjoyed Ireland a few times and always thought that you're our cousins in the north. Everything you mention is familiar around here, maybe the main exception would be the tea, here the coffee is predominant (and I hate coffee, tea is my vice, so maybe i'm more irish than spaniard 😆)
@@mariusmatei2946 If Irish people are being nothing but polite to you, then it means they don't know you, and maybe don't want to know you. Non-stop horrific insults are reserved only for friends.
The queuing description is very accurate. I get really annoyed in Italy by their lack of queuing etiquette. In Ireland people we will shout at you if you skip a queue. Me included .
In Canada we don't que up at a bus stop, but everyone's polite at taking turns getting on. It's funny, if someone "butts in" it's considered rude, and there's an assumption that this person comes from another culture where it's crowded and people don't respect one another. Sometimes there's a rude remark and even an argument may ensue, in which case onlookers are usually quiet but you can see the disgust on their faces. In all other places however , like a grocery store lineup for the cashier, strict politeness is observed, never a case of butting in. Overall, Canadians are very polite in public.
The last sentence ... "I will let you go" caught me by surprise and reminded me of someone. Its so naturally done... Thanks a lot for the fabulous video.
First time I saw my dad do the 2 finger wave from the steering wheel at a passing car I said who was that? He said I don't know just a guy. After about 3 times of that I realized my dad just does that. Now I find myself doing that also. Now it makes sense to me. Really loving your videos
Love this video. I have been living in Ireland for last 2 years and it's kinda fun to relate to lot of things you have spoken about. Full of craic in other words :D
One of the best and most memorable videos I've ever come across for writing an Irish character in fiction. I swear, I learned everything I currently know about Irish expressions from this video. Have watched it more than once. I just keep coming back to it.
Thank you for this! I’m going to visit Northern Ireland for the first time, and will be moving there after that. I want to be as respectful as possible!
I loved your video. It was really helpful for this American who recently moved to Ireland and had long lived In England prior to that. Considering their long history with each other - continuing into the present some might say. . . I hesitate to say this, but so much of what you mentioned also applies to Brits. Not being able to say bye just once ✔️ Pub etiquette and rounds ✔️ Slagging off friends being friendly ✔️ Although having lived in London the whole of my time in England a lot of these points, and especially this one, can actually be a bit more straight forward, with slagging sometimes sliding into passive aggressive amongst Londoners. Use of sorry having several meanings ✔️ again frequently quite aggressive among Londoners in a crowd though. When it comes to tea (and the etiquette around it) and accoutrements like scones, the Irish (and Scots) are more English than the English! Tea and scones everywhere! The big difference I’ve found is the friendliness, in reference to the Irish waving to each other in the country. The Irish are much friendlier and willing to offer help to strangers than the English, who tend to think leaving others alone to get on with their lives as being polite. Sometimes that’s true, but it can also come across as cool (and by that I don’t mean hip). Sadly again in London that’s sometimes morphed into ignoring everyone else and thinking only of yourself on streets and crowded places. Never polite anywhere.
Everyone of those except the last, we do in Australia. It's amazing. I was told the waving on country roads was about being connected in case you ever needed help.
I'm 5th generation Irish, from Boston Massachusetts here in the States. I have a lot of pride in my ancestry. While I understand that some Irish folk don't really care for us Irish-Americans, it brings a smile to my face knowing that I was raised with all of these customs!
We somehow ended up at a wedding that was going on in our hotel. Just sitting in a corner listening to the music and quietly chatting. I guess the two musicians recognized the Boston accent and the next thing we knew they were playing Sweet Caroline. Ended up making a lot of new friends.
@@Alphae21 Nonsense. Irish is a nationality and a culture, neither of which applies to him. "5th generation"? If a generation is 20-30 years, then that means 100-150 years ago. He's not "Irish". I'm saying that as someone with the same background. And native tribes are no more, or less, of an American than anybody else. "American" is a nationality, not a race or ethnicity, and they could not "be Americans" before The USA existed.
I just got my ancestry DNA back and I'm 29.4 Irish. I was so excited. Always loved Ireland. This video is great and I'm already doing and saying these words. I'm from nova Scotia! Canada ✌ howeya!
I live in Durango, Colorado and there's a local chain of petrol stations owned by an Irish-American family who has run the business for a century now. Back in 2019, the patriarch & thus the owner of the company had passed away at old age of 88. The funeral was a big event for the community and one Irish tradition they held at the graveside service was a toast of Jameson 🇮🇪🥃.
RIP to him. Cool tradition! I did the same when my best friend passed away here in Ireland. It's not common, but it was just something people understood when we poured a little Jameson out in respect of our tradition of meeting up on the last Friday of almost every month and starting with a Jameson.
Nice one wolfe momma, i enjoy your good culture and interesting customs in irish. i do hope to be there some day. greet irish for the good work that they are doing, especially for immigrant. i love your hospitality and good heat in ireland. God richly bless ireland. (Amen)
I'm south african and my fiancé is Irish. A lot of things are starting to make sense now. I'm subscribing to your channel now so I can learn the culture and the language 😅
Congratulations for your interesting explanations! Now I have a better notion of your magnificent country and besides, I see that Ireland is more similar to my country than I initially thought. I've always wanted to visit it, I hope to go soon.... Regards from Spain!
Thanks for a great, informative video. I’ve never been, dont have firm plans to visit, but your video shows how charming everyone is, I need to make a plan to see Ireland!
So many of these little pieces of Etiquette exist in my part of Canada. Many stretches of the Miramichi river were settled by the Irish, so there are all these little pockets of communities along the river that are reminiscent of Ireland, Newfoundland & Labrador: in clothing, speech, music, etiquette, etc. This summer, I called a tailor shop in New Castle to ask about something, and I legitimately thought that I had dialled a store in NL instead!
This really brought me back to living in Ireland! I was nodding my head to each of them and I love how some of them cross over to my own home country, Canada...although that's probably because we got them from the Irish who emigrated here in the first place. Thanks a mil for the smile with the video! -Tara
I’m American but my family before coming here was Scotts-Irish. I live in a small town and a decent amount of families here have the same heritage. We actually do a lot of those I had no idea where it came from until now. We do the byes, the waves, I’ll let you go, the please and thank yous. The swearing etc
We love so many aspects of Irish Culture! You have done a really marvellous job here.... this video should be mandatory to every foreigner coming to Ireland;)
Thanks for the video, I loved it! I love Ireland and its culture. Slagging , the " Go on" and being late, that's what mexicans could have in common with the Irish 😊😁 Greetings from Mexico 👋🏻
I'm Irish and México is like a second home to me! I lived there for a while. The welcome, Catholicism, the partying, the love of music and family... Your food is 1000 times better though!! ♥️
@@catsy26 thank you!! You're welcome anytime you want to come back! I lived in Galway only for a couple.of weeks but I think I left part of my heart there too! I really wish I can go back one day :)
@@analorenasanchez9285 We're very similar to latin americans in many things. I love México, your culture is beyond amazing and one of our finest hours as a nation involved your country (the San Patricio regiment).
I def love Ireland. Have done 5 road trips from ten to thirteen days each. After landing just rent a car and drive. No plan, no route to follow. Have driven on dirt roads, paved roads and places where there were no roads. If you are looking for a place to go and have great food and meet great people Ireland is the way to go.
So glad to hear this!! Our first international trip since lockdown and idk why but I was drawn to Ireland which is not my usual choice (I normally like bustling cities like NYC or London or the tropics). Was def looking for a slower and more friendly place, esp in the countryside.
@@ganpatsalunke4847 Well you will def see a lot of sheep there!! Tasty!! As for other animals, we really were not looking for such a thing. If they were there, fine, if not, keep driving. If you mean pretty hills, valleys, small villages and the like...tons of that.
Oh my god .. amazing culture the Irish have 😅😁🥰.. totally the opposite of what I have seen in Germany 😅.. thank you very much for the video, I will subscribe to the channel now :)
Well done yourself. I've been blessed to have a shower of Irish friends who've (thanks be to God) taught me these phrases, expressions, and customs over many years. The only time I really blew things was about 10 yrs ago, whilst in rural Cork where we stay, an elderly friend and I greeted each other - he in his farm yard, myself on my daily 3 mile dander, walking past, on the boreen, and he invited me over for a ''party'' on the following Thursday evening. He told me this party was at his STATION. The custom in the country of gathering at the parishioners' homes for masses and stations of the cross with a ceali following was something I'd never known about. My friend and I showed up in our (at least they were clean) casual clothes: jeans, jumpers, hats, barn coats, and scarves, and muck boots (was November), and were greeted with hugs and kisses by the aulfella in a suit. His Sunday best! My friend and I were aghast, and feeling terribly under dressed at that point. And then, to our utter embarrassment, to enter his cottage to find each room with furnishings removed and lined with chairs, and similarly dressed up neighbors' bottoms sitting quietly in them, ready for MASS, (altar set up in the seomra suí) blew us away. (My friend whispered she was going to kill me when we got home) We took our seats as old Tom directed us, in the dining room. There were lots of smiles and whispers...haha. Naturally no one knew us because we only ''live'' in the neighborhood for about 8 wks a year, so we were relieved by that. After the mass which we could barely hear, there was a big party indeed. We had some great craic, got to know all the neighbors (who yes, we'd been waving at passing on the boreens, or yelling ''howeyeh'' across the fields and yards for years) and heard some awesome and exciting stories about their parents and grandparents in Rebel Cork during the years leading up to and after the uprising. The conversations ran late in to the night. Unfortunately it was a very foggy night, and the scheduled band coming to provide the music for the dancing got lost in the fog. Thanks a million for the video!
Im Irish and I can say as a child/youth, I never got away with swearing. I remember at age 4 my mother chasing me down the street with a broom cause I "misspoke". Not sure if its a true memory or one I made up but I like it and am sticking with it! lol I just spoke with an irish Aunt by phone a few days ago and no sooner got talking than "I'll let you go" and thankfully I took the hint. And there were several byes at the end. Tea was always a must and a "go on" is a must accept. My granny always put on a good spread and the number of refusals and "ah go on" and acceptance, is a joy to remember.
I’ve got Irish heritage on both sides of my family but, these customs are still going strong after 6 generations. My Dad is particularly good at running late.
Thanks 1 million. I immigrated and now after 1 year I understand your sorry and not meant how are you. It drove me always crazy. I didn't want to tell my mood to everybody. Super😂😂😂😘
Oh I would really want to watch this video before I have moved to Ireland! It is a really helpful one for any expat who plans life in Ireland. And you should do a similar one for the relationships, pleaseeee:DD
The 'how are you' or 'howeyeh' part is the most true. I live in America now and my family, my mum especially, will always respond to "how are you" with "hi how are you" and the look of confusion on the other person face is priceless. I do it too on occasion, but im young and have been somewhat 'Americanized'
Yes, that's true for most of the traditions of my family and that of many of my friends in Australia as well. Irish heritage is strong amongst my family and friends.
Loved this! We are traveling to Ireland this April and you were so helpful! Can't wait to put it in practice :) You are adorable! Bye! Bye, bye... bye!
I am from the Southern United States (South Georgia) and so many of these are the same here. The waving, a thousand goodbyes, please/thank you (with an added sir/ma'am), we offer everyone that visits food instead of tea, and we always end conversations with "I'll let you go" or "I don't wanna keep you."
Thanks!
Thank you so much! 💗💗
I have family in Ireland I've been thinking about moving there.
I saw my grandmother refuse any host-offering twice before accepting (only with another Irish person). I asked "why twice?". She told me it is a "saving-face" custom left over from the Irish poverty days. It was expected that the host would offer something to eat to guests but may not really have it. The one being asked; "would you like a piece of cake?" knows to refuse and the host will customarily ask again, but the guest should refuse again. If the host really has cake to offer, she'll ask the third time but if not, both will avoid the embarrassment.
Wow
That's funny, I grew up in the midwest, and that was a cultural thing too. You always refuse 2 or 3 times, but the way you refuse lets your host know if you really mean it, or not. If you're saying, "oh no no thank you, I just had ___" they'll maybe ask once more, BUT, if your answer is something like: "ooh, don't trouble yourself" and then your second no is some comment about your not needing cake/pie/whatever, as you're getting fat, etc, you will get the hard press & accept, of course. Proper etiquette also means you'll praise that cake or pie to high heavens, even if it's ordinary. I grew up watching this social dance played out a thousand times, but across the board in the US...not so much. I understand the Chinese have a similar custom too. 🤷♀️
I've been doing it all my life most of us just see it as good manners.
True. True. True.
if anyone has ever watched Father Ted you'll know Mrs Doyle is a prime example of this. Go on.
The comment about the mean jokes or "slagging" is so true. That quick Irish wit along with their sense of humor can be hilarious. It's the best when two friends go at it without holding back.
Yeah I’ve heard this one from other people 👍
That happens in Coventry, where I live. Though that may be legacy of the many Irish who came here after WW2 to rebuild the city and work in the car factories.
Yea you'd think two Irish people hate each other when you hear us going at eachother but it actually means we're friends for life you have to be careful with foreigner though as even the watered down version could offend them.
@@stephena1196 Irish English and Welsh all have the slaging trate but the Scots are the worst or best depending on your outlook they make us paddy's look like a bunch of snowflakes.
the Aussies are like that with their mates too :)
I visited a small country town in western Ireland in 2019. I went out to a pub one night with my air bnb host. One thing that struck me (and I just loved this) is that people in this pub weren't on their phones, watching TV, ignoring each other, or keeping to themselves. There were people of all ages, talking to each other, laughing, and having a wonderful time with one another. In my experience, even in some of the smaller towns I've visited/lived in America where people might know each other a bit more, the little pubs and cafes in these town, though they are wonderful and charming in their own rights, do not have the same culture of everyone connecting with each other like this.
In the pub I went to there were musicians and everyone sang along with them. After the gig the musicians passed the guitar around and everyone took turns playing songs and singing in the back room of this pub that had a sweet little fireplace. It was so cozy.
I don't know if this atmosphere of friendliness and togetherness was particular to this exact small town pub in Western Ireland, or if my experience speaks to greater Irish culture in western Ireland, but as a shy person visiting Ireland from America, everyone's friendliness really helped my shyness melt away. I had such a wonderful time. Thanks for this informative video! I'll keep these tips in mind if I ever get to visit again. :)
Huh....
Why do people even go to a pub if not to have the craic with whoever's in the pub? May as well bring some cans home if the plan is to watch tv!
@@Jamie-nv3wp My thoughts exactly! In my experience in the states, there definitely are pubs with people meeting up and enjoying each other's company. But it is not uncommon for there to be TV's everywhere and maybe 1-3 people meeting up to enjoy each other but otherwise ignoring everyone else around them. Also, people being on their phones or talking over the band's music with anyone they came to the pub with.
@@garetheckley7018 you seem pleasant. : )
I had a similar experience. People were much more open to talking to strangers and live music was everywhere. Much more culture than in American pubs.
It is called “the west of Ireland” not western Ireland
Irish ☘️ people are so friendly polite and more welcome with everyone. I have been living in Dublin since 2015 and I really like Ireland 🇮🇪
I live in America and have a good amount of Irish/ Scottish decent, a lot of the "norms" you described I find very prevalent in my own family here in the US. Kinda cool to see how traditions/ customs get passed down and stay in the lineage.
Yeah. Me too actually. The bye thing is the same. My mom is Danish, Dutch, Irish, and English.
I agree. A lot of this is normal to southerners & the mid west.
On the west coast we have a lot of immigrants & different nationalities so we wave or nod our heads or wave out of respect & acknowledgment. Usually when a pedestrian is crossing the street in front of a car or when walking past someone. Most of them s is just common etiquette.
My family is military my father was a Marine we curse a lot so when I speak people think it's rude get offended they don't realize that's just the culture of how I was raised I have to correct myself constantly I'd probably fit in quite well in Ireland.
😂
😂
@@stray7353 Exactly. Born and raised in the Southeastern Appalachians and NOW I know why my family members take 15 minutes to leave!
I am Italian but I moved to Donegal three years ago :) One of the first things i noticed is people always wave at you while driving and almost everyone says "hallo" or "how are you" when you walk :) and I love that, in my hometown Milan it would never happen.
Milan to Donegal? How Can You Stand all The Rain!? . . . And those tiny invisible flies that come out of the peat and bite you!? But then, I guess the wonderful friendly Irish people make up for it. :-)
In the south people wave at people who drive down the street and say hi while walking
It's because Milian is a city of what 2 or 3 million? where you are in donegal is probably 2 or 3 thousand if that. That's why they all know each other.
@@Oliver9402 It's just nice to say hello and to recognise another person.
@@MolloyPolloy This happens a lot in small country places because they are small communities that tend to know each other rather than Milan where you pass thousands of people every day and you can't exactly wave at everyone. Go down O Connell street in Dublin and wave at people and see what happens then tell me Irish culture?
I'm a first generation American (both parents are from Ireland). I had no idea these were things all Irish people did; I just thought that's how my parents were.
Second gen here- both grandparents. Poppop in cork and nana from dublin
same
Same but 2nd gen, not sure if I was brought up with typical polite American manners or if the culture from my Irish grandparents (on both sides) carried over to my parents, and then that's how they raised me haha I'd really like to say it's typical of American and western society but....
Nah, everything she said is normal in America too.
Same! But first generation Canadian. Maternal family side is from Belfast, originally from Country Cork. I find many of these things I do but some I don't do at all (I don't really drink alcohol at all. It gives me headaches so I avoid it almost entirely. I also am almost always on time or even early by up to 1/2 hour so I can walk around and grab a coffee, but that could be my German side.)
I'm Irish living in Australia. And, believe me, We don't swear half as much as the Aussie do!
Facts haha
A feck off, are you serious?
Ahhh ffs are ya serious😂😂😂
@@keith7564 oh Yes! Of Course area we live is bound to swear more others, e.g. swearing might be more common in heart of Dublin than in some rural village.
But here in Australia it seems every other word is an expletive.
@@jennic9076 weird because in my life in Australia swearing isn’t that common. It still depends on context even here.
Pretty spot on with many of those. If my Irish mom received a cup of weak tea she'd comment something like, "Ah, that's innocent water boiled to death!" and proceed to go and make herself a fresh brew. The F word is usually replaced with "Feckin" by Irish. Sounds so much nicer and more acceptable 🤣. Saying thank you to the bus driver is an absolute must. 😊
I can't believe how much of this I do as an American with Irish roots. It's like it was ingrained in my family. We're three generations from the boat, and we do most of this unconsciously. :)
Everything in this video is true.
“ Don’t worry it’ll be grand “ = “ This has not been planned properly, but I’m convinced it has.”
0:00 intro
0:13 going for a pint
0:43 rounds
1:20 tipping
1:53 running late
2:27 please and thank you
2:51 slagging
3:42 tea
4:15 dining etiquette
5:00 sorry
5:25 queuing
6:19 go on
7:21 greetings
7:52 howeyeh
8:38 swearing
9:25 bye bye bye
10:18 waving at strangers
11:03 i'll let you go
11:28 outro
Thanks 😊
Thanks:)
5:25 bus queues are not always in a straight line...🤔
Graciais!
.
I went to school with a guy called Barry Lyons. Everyone called him Mr. Tea.
Brilliant! Hahahahaha Ah so bleedin Irish haha
His parents did him dirty
Deadly!
Nice
That's just stunning. love it!
I was in a small Belgian town a couple of years ago and went for a walk along a lovely canal on the outskirts. There were only a few people walking there. Of course being Irish I said 'hello lovely day isn't it'. ..it had been pissing rain all the day before... to the first people I passed, a middle aged couple. The two of them gave me a filthy look...like I was planning to rob them or something... I thought wow bad mood them, and being kindly I also thought well maybe they've just had a bereavement or some such, and continued on my merry way. But the same thing happened with the next pair of walkers I passed when I acknowledged their existence - though they didn't look quite as distressed about it as the first couple.. they just stared at me in a kind of incomprehension. I began to think that it must be rude there culturally to acknowledge any one you pass, like some kind of intrusion on their personal space? So the next people I passed, and feeling very rude about doing it, I didn't look at or say hello to them, but I watched and they just walked on by as if I wasn't there too. So I thought jeez I better get the hang of this because It was so alien for me to ignore everyone I pass, it was just so weird, but I was almost laughing about it to myself as well. Can ye imagine in Ireland going out for a stroll and passing someone and neither of you either nodding or smiling or sharing a howrya between ye... Just wouldn't happen... 🤣
People r like that in cities here, they don't expect you to say hi. But in small towns alot is similar its polite to say hi and wave at anyone you see on the road. I grew up in a big city and when I first moved out I was shocked strangers were talking to me! Now I try and say hi no matter where I am 🍁
In big cities you just mind your own business but in a village the people can nodd or smile and say hello and walk past
That’s the issue then, Irish cities are just medium to large towns by most other countries’ standards
It’s just the Belgians they are a bit on the odd side.
Yes if someone engaged me on a canal bank in my own country, in a foreign tongue, I'd probably throw them an odd look too. There was one weirdo involved in these little situations, and that I'm afraid to tell you, was you.
I have always been interested in the Irish culture...its incredible how similiar it is to my basque culture...
I like your video! I'm from South Korea. I studied English in Dublin a few years ago.. I do miss Ireland! what a beautiful country.
Ah slagging and thanking the busdriver is also very much done in the Netherlands. I love Ireland 😻👌🏻
I think slagging can be the most challenging for others to understand. Maybe not to take slagging but to give it. There's an art to it!
Michelle Byrne yas
I think many cultures feature slagging amongst friends. In America, you can get pretty derogatory with close friends. They know you're kidding around with them. Most can give as good as they take.
How about Are you reading that paper you're sitting on? Pointing at an empty chair and saying, Is there anyone sitting here? Asking a publican, Are you open yet? And he says, No! But come in and a have a drink while you're waiting! With all the shit going on in the world, If my father was alive today, he'd turn in his grave! I like kids, I use to go to school with them! What was the lightest you've ever weighed? 7lbs 4 ounces. Do you drink? Do I what? Does Dolly Parton sleep on her back! Do you believe in sex before marriage? No! It's not right to keep the guests waiting. I've to go and see my doctor tomorrow afternoon. He hasn't been well lately!
@@stevez.6805 Irish slagging is something else tho, it delves very much into the culture and even the language, and it's a lot more complicated than you might think
In romania that word doesn’t even exist. That’s literally the way we speak to each other all the time lol. When you call someone stupid for the first time, that’s when you know it’s pure friendship😌
Saying thank you to the bus and train operators is a habit I learned from my Irish mom so far back I can't remember ever not doing it. People notice this and will sometimes comment on it. I have had people start doing it because they heard me and thought how nice it was!
It's kind, and neighborly!
If you do that in Scotland then you'll fit right in, because thanking bus drivers etc is the norm here 🏴 too. Me, I think it's just good manners. 😉
I've always thanked the bus driver and I live in Kent, its normal for me.
I just moved to Ireland, I am from Ukraine, thank you for this video, it's really helpful, English is not my native language, so living in Ireland may be kinda difficult for me itself and after recognizing that I didn't know all of these.. hahahahahaha
As a Celtic country, Gaeilge is the language of the Celts, it is taught in schools and is known by all, it is spoken at home also. A good standard of Gaeilge when one works with the State, provides 10% extra on salary
There are 2 Sectors in Ireland the EU and non EU.
Enjoy the Celtic country of Ireland, visit Newgrange older than the Pyramids.
Slan go foill.
Ukraine 🛫
I hope to be 🏳️🏳️🏳️
😘
@@seanogallchoir3237 hello Sean do you know where can I learn Irish? Thank you
“Ahsur, it’s only down the road” is another good one. 45 minutes late you arrive at your “only down the road” designation!
I’m irish and when my husband (luxembourgish) and I go back to Ireland I always say: “Ahsur, it’s only down the road.” He’s like, no! No it’s not!
Patrice Mc Cormack similar to “just around the corner”. When I was a child visiting my grandparents, they would send us to the shop just around the corner to get some things. There may have been a corner involved but it could be a mile or so down the road. 😂😂
@@susie2251 "It's just another few yards"
"It's just another few yards"
:)
My experience was, “take the next turning and follow the main road.”
Didn’t say which way to turn... Left? Right?
Main road? So there will be less important roads we ignore? 😬
Hi Wolfe, I'm from Mauritius and relocated to Ireland on March 2020, thank you so so much for making this video, I've noted down everything and every tiny details you said. It's really helping me in my daily life and at work. Initially I was struggling to understand the people here and taking time to think and response but after watching carefully to this video, I'm finding it easy now to integrate into Irish culture, it's really really helping me alot. Thank you so much.
You're very welcome Divyam to Ireland! I hope you have a wonderful time
Wow. I've always wanted to go to the 🇲🇺 Mauritius Islands.
Good luck sir. You seem very nice and are very respectful. Gud luk.
Welcome to Ireland, I genuinely hope you have settled in, and that you're being looked after by everyone here...given the times we're in.
Mauritius look so beautiful! I have worked with people there remotely and they have been very nice and speak so many languages.
I've been living in Ireland for about 18 months and the "bye bye bye" was the funniest for me, because I always heard my boss saying that but I thought it was his way to finish the call lol
Loved the video!
Bye bye bye 👋
This is amazing to hear as I am American, reared in the vicinity of NYC and almost everything that you mentioned applies here as well. Now living in the greater Boston area and most of it applies here too. Must have been strongly influenced by the emigration out of Ireland when these cities were still small.
Majorly homesick after 27yrs and ya cheered me up no end. Good girl yerself!
Re: rounds.
A good rule of thumb is get the round in early. Doing this means that should you wish to leave early you are perfectly entitled to do so before it comes round to your turn next.
Thank you for these tips! I'm an Irish-American from Brooklyn who moved to Dublin last year and have learned many of these in context and am doing my best to get them right. The big one I've been getting wrong is "go on," so thanks for explaining that. If someone said that to a New Yorker, we'd just shrug and say, "OK, whatever" and move on. Shop assistants here will often say "are you all right?" and it makes me wonder if I look unwell, but they're really asking if I need any help. After decades of enduring New York "etiquette," Irish etiquette is great craic.
@@Chicago2Cle2Chicago Duly noted 😃
That's great. I'm visiting for a few weeks (from Brooklyn) and found this video by well, UA-cam suggestions. Good stuff to know.
In Boston our "Irish goodbye" is when you slip away without saying goodbye at all. I suspect this comes from not wanting to get sucked into a half hour of goodbyes. 😉
Do you mean at family gatherings or just parties with friends? I live in Massachusetts and we usually say goodbye at family parties but it is definitely a quick see you later. My wife's family is French Canadian and it is definitely a half hour goodbye.
Possibly goes back to when the Irish had to leave Ireland.
Ahhhhh yes, the Irish exit!!!! My family is French catholic and Irish catholic and I feel it goes with the French side as well. Maybe it’s a catholic thing? It takes so long to say goodbye and leave. If your in a hurry or just over it, you gotta just leave, or it’ll be forever!!!!
My sister is the best - I don't think she has ever said Goodbye to me - ever.
This video explains so many things from my past that I had no idea were connected to my Irish heritage. Three out of four of my grandparents born there. Like in our family we always say goodbye a thousand times before we leave any gatherings. We swear like banshees (but only with family or close friends). We can not let anyone leave the house without offering food or something for them to take home, and everyone says, no they don't need it, but then we insist and they say okay. Really most of this except the tipping and the "howeyeh". We were always late. Can't stand when people butt in line. I still can't pass people on the street or on the trail without saying hello. My entire childhood was slagging, and my friends now all love to tease each other. Thanks for making this. Loved it.
This sounds like me, I'm mixed idk if I have some Irish or not
Kathy! Me too! I learned to say...no tahnk you...and our family made fun of each other in the most devoted way...my mother say so many damns...and hells....
Not all of us are quick witted and not all of us accept insults like it's a joke.
I’m Catalan, 20 years here now. I love all this, they’re so true!
One I noticed is how taxi drivers are so chatty, never stop talking! I am so used to it now than when I go to Bcn I keep forgetting and the look I get when I start chatting…
This is GREAT and I very much appreciate her delivery, she’s informative and fun..!!
I use your channel more like asmr for my anxiety. Your voice level and accent together are so relaxing. So glad I found your channel.
. . . Ummm weirddd
That’s sweet! Anything that helps is a good thing!
Interesting video. As a Paddy myself whose lived in the US for 20 years I think it's sad that some of the younger generation speak with a So Cal accent! Jaysus! And we don't all do rounds. Never did until I came to the US. Diddly, diddle, dee, begorah begosh!
In my experince the vast majority do buy rounds, but 'Howeyeh' is very particular to Dublin, nowhere else in Ireland and even then not all Dubliners use the expression, just as I would say not all New Yorkers say 'Howyadoin?'
Wel im born and bread in sligo and beleave me dam all rounds get baught but now if we wer talkin about tappers den dats a diffrent story
I'm of Irish descent in America and its amazing how many of these customs and sayings I grew up with and didn't realize they were Irish
Practically the same in my view. I f**kin love the Aussies.
I was not expecting to have such similar customs living in Australia but I guess I shouldn't be suprised since my family are Irish. This was brilliant to watch and gave me a good laugh. Thank you :)
Indeed, Helen, with so many of our transported convict population and then later the free immigrants coming from Ireland, many customs typical in Ireland are also typical here in Australia.
I love learning new things about the irish side of my ancestry.
Honestly.. Since the day I've known Enya, U2, The Cranberries, Boyzone, The Corrs, Westlife and Celtic Woman.. The Irish people will ALWAYS, ALWAYS have a special place to my ♥️.. They've made my highschool & college years MEMORABLE & UNFORGETTABLE... Even their accent is cool! Love from Manila 🙏🏻
This is sooo Minnesota! Except maybe the swearing, that’s more a person to person thing and tea, though I see more and more people drinking tea. There is a large population of people in Minnesota that have Irish heritage so maybe that’s why. Me included. It was fun watching and learning about the similarities. Minnesotans are famous for our long goodbye and being friendly (waving at strangers or anyone you pass by in the street)
Good one! I was living in Ireland for some years and I experienced all these points. My favourite, by far, is waving in the car with one or two fingers. It took me a while to abandon the habit when I came back to Spain!
Hi Yolanda how are you. Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪 to Spain 🇪🇸. It’s a lovely video. Good you enjoyed your time here. I have enjoyed holidays in Spain. Best wishes to you for a lovely day 😊🙏 Michael
I need to share this with my wife. Being half Irish this explains a LOT as to why I act the way I do with the exception of personal space. I was raised in Peru so friends kiss on the cheek.
I lived in Ireland for almost 3 years and I love this country and it's people! Cheers!!!
Im so grateful to you for making this video, these are definitely things I'll have to keep in mind. Im Dutch and I'm moving to Ireland later this year for my studies. I don't drink much and Im extremely punctual, so I will definitely need to adjust to the cultural difference. I actually have a funny story about the 'how are you' phrase as a greeting. I was once part of a group that mainly consisted of English people and we were staying in a hotel. Everyone morning in the breakfast hall, people would come up to me and say 'how are you'. At first Id be flattered that they cared enough to ask, so I would start answering them, and I'd feel so offended when they walked off midway through my answer. It took me a while to realise it was a greeting, not a question. In the Netherlands you only ask someone how they're doing if you genuinely care, otherwise you don't ask. Im definitely gonna fuck up with the 'Ill let you go' one too, I already know haha. This is definitely the kind of content that I need to see before moving!
There's a difference between 'howaya' & 'how are you'
If someone knows you weren't well, or went through a bad patch 'how are you?' really is asking how you're doing. Not 'howaya' though. Ever.
If someone you don't know well asks "how are you" or "how are you this morning", its adequate to reply "I'm fine". Then go on with ordering breakfast or whatever. It's just a greeting really and they aren't expecting you to tell them how you really are. Only someone you are familiar with or someone who knows/cares about your circumstances, bad luck etc, will say "how are you" and expect you to elaborate. You will be able to tell the difference in the tone of voice. Also, it's not mandatory to drink a lot or swear a lot in Ireland. Many people go to the pub to socialise but it IS allowed if you want to drink Coke all night. You'll still have a good time. And it's a mistake to get the impression that we're all going about 'effing and blinding'. But it's ok if you want to, but be sure to choose your company. 😉 Good luck and Céad míle fáilte.☘☘
Ah sur this is just bloody marvelous...how to understand the Irish. Brilliant.
Thank you so much for the tips. My wife and I plan on going to Kerry, Ireland in the fall and etiquette is really important to me as a tourist (We’re not your stereotypical Americans). I think anyone traveling to another country should know the social customs of that country.
The country finger wave is lovely. We do it in California as well.
Fascinating! I ran into the one or two finger wave in Northern Michigan. When someone asked why I didn’t do it (to everyone you pass) I remarked that I didn’t know it was a “thing”. Never saw it before!
I live in Texas and we have similar manners as y’all in Ireland. It was neat seeing all of the similarities.
Brandi Spry you are the friendliest of all the Americans, I love me some Texans. I’m from Seattle, and some people were friendly to me in a parking lot in Texas, and I thought they were being disingenuous - I even asked if they were messing with me, and they said “no, no”. That’s how not friendly people in the northwest are. They are reasonably polite, but more passive aggressive.
Wow seriously!? Austin Texas?
Tea is a very important part in the Irish culture, alright. But in Cork, Beamish and Murphy's are quite important too !
With Ribena blackcurrant ;)
I am Canadian and Irish, and I love these posts! 💗 I am so happy that so many of our cultural social customs are so similar to what I've experienced growing up in 🇨🇦
Similar to the. UK too
@@meatpuppet428 RIGHT! HAHA But also we just say bye. Twice max.
Yep..love to have a cup of tea..and sorrys as I skip past folks! 😎🙏🏼🇨🇦
This cracks me up. I'm an American, but have Irish on my father's side. So much of this etiquette applies to my family!
I'm from Spain, I have visited and enjoyed Ireland a few times and always thought that you're our cousins in the north.
Everything you mention is familiar around here, maybe the main exception would be the tea, here the coffee is predominant (and I hate coffee, tea is my vice, so maybe i'm more irish than spaniard 😆)
As a Polishman living in Dublin for over 10 years my Irish friend told me once: if no one is slagging you, then no one gives a f* about you :) 😀
Oh im in dublin to
Either that or you've done something to upset us.
In Most (Civilized) Cultures, "slagging" Would Be Considered Utterly Rude, And Completely Unacceptable; personally, I don't think I'd Put Up with it!!
@@mariusmatei2946 If Irish people are being nothing but polite to you, then it means they don't know you, and maybe don't want to know you. Non-stop horrific insults are reserved only for friends.
@@Ixaglet I'm not sure you realize How Sick that Is!?
Living in Ireland all my life but checking in with you to see im doing things the proper Irish way 👍🤗🇮🇪
Proper Celtic way, is more accurate.
Go raibh mhaith agat alig.
The queuing description is very accurate. I get really annoyed in Italy by their lack of queuing etiquette. In Ireland people we will shout at you if you skip a queue. Me included .
In Canada we don't que up at a bus stop, but everyone's polite at taking turns getting on. It's funny, if someone "butts in" it's considered rude, and there's an assumption that this person comes from another culture where it's crowded and people don't respect one another. Sometimes there's a rude remark and even an argument may ensue, in which case onlookers are usually quiet but you can see the disgust on their faces. In all other places however , like a grocery store lineup for the cashier, strict politeness is observed, never a case of butting in. Overall, Canadians are very polite in public.
Thank the Anglos for that, Celts do not que.
Finally, found a smart irish woman on some irish know hows.. thank you Ma'am
The last sentence ... "I will let you go" caught me by surprise and reminded me of someone. Its so naturally done... Thanks a lot for the fabulous video.
So good I've just moved to Ireland and I found very funny the "byebye time"
First time I saw my dad do the 2 finger wave from the steering wheel at a passing car I said who was that? He said I don't know just a guy. After about 3 times of that I realized my dad just does that. Now I find myself doing that also. Now it makes sense to me. Really loving your videos
Love this video. I have been living in Ireland for last 2 years and it's kinda fun to relate to lot of things you have spoken about. Full of craic in other words :D
One of the best and most memorable videos I've ever come across for writing an Irish character in fiction. I swear, I learned everything I currently know about Irish expressions from this video. Have watched it more than once. I just keep coming back to it.
Thank you for this! I’m going to visit Northern Ireland for the first time, and will be moving there after that. I want to be as respectful as possible!
I loved your video. It was really helpful for this American who recently moved to Ireland and had long lived In England prior to that. Considering their long history with each other - continuing into the present some might say. . . I hesitate to say this, but so much of what you mentioned also applies to Brits. Not being able to say bye just once ✔️ Pub etiquette and rounds ✔️ Slagging off friends being friendly ✔️ Although having lived in London the whole of my time in England a lot of these points, and especially this one, can actually be a bit more straight forward, with slagging sometimes sliding into passive aggressive amongst Londoners. Use of sorry having several meanings ✔️ again frequently quite aggressive among Londoners in a crowd though.
When it comes to tea (and the etiquette around it) and accoutrements like scones, the Irish (and Scots) are more English than the English! Tea and scones everywhere!
The big difference I’ve found is the friendliness, in reference to the Irish waving to each other in the country. The Irish are much friendlier and willing to offer help to strangers than the English, who tend to think leaving others alone to get on with their lives as being polite. Sometimes that’s true, but it can also come across as cool (and by that I don’t mean hip). Sadly again in London that’s sometimes morphed into ignoring everyone else and thinking only of yourself on streets and crowded places. Never polite anywhere.
Everyone of those except the last, we do in Australia. It's amazing. I was told the waving on country roads was about being connected in case you ever needed help.
I'm 5th generation Irish, from Boston Massachusetts here in the States. I have a lot of pride in my ancestry. While I understand that some Irish folk don't really care for us Irish-Americans, it brings a smile to my face knowing that I was raised with all of these customs!
You mean 5 generations ago, someone was Irish. You are American.
We somehow ended up at a wedding that was going on in our hotel. Just sitting in a corner listening to the music and quietly chatting. I guess the two musicians recognized the Boston accent and the next thing we knew they were playing Sweet Caroline. Ended up making a lot of new friends.
I'm an American of Irish descent from Boston too! :D
@@dang2443 no, he's irish american, just like an african american. only native americans are just ''americans''
@@Alphae21 Nonsense. Irish is a nationality and a culture, neither of which applies to him. "5th generation"? If a generation is 20-30 years, then that means 100-150 years ago. He's not "Irish". I'm saying that as someone with the same background.
And native tribes are no more, or less, of an American than anybody else. "American" is a nationality, not a race or ethnicity, and they could not "be Americans" before The USA existed.
I love the culture of waving and smiling at each other.
Next month I am going to Ireland..
Learned a lot....Thanks 😍
Im from texas and this sounds alot like how we act . Cant wait to visit !thanks for the very informative video
I just got my ancestry DNA back and I'm 29.4 Irish. I was so excited. Always loved Ireland. This video is great and I'm already doing and saying these words. I'm from nova Scotia! Canada ✌ howeya!
Welcome to the tribe!
So....... You're Canadian?
Like just Canadian
@@luciamceleney4853 What are you doing I bet you think black Africans in Ireland are more Irish than Irish Americans?
Has Corona virus not shown us how small the world really is? We are more than just the country we are born in.
@@Krawn_ what? Lol I'm just saying she's not Irish, just bc she says she's 29.4% Irish she's not Irish. She's Canadian
I live in Durango, Colorado and there's a local chain of petrol stations owned by an Irish-American family who has run the business for a century now. Back in 2019, the patriarch & thus the owner of the company had passed away at old age of 88. The funeral was a big event for the community and one Irish tradition they held at the graveside service was a toast of Jameson 🇮🇪🥃.
never heard of that, the drinking usually comes after and on the grounds of the graveyard is usually quite silent
Jameson can go with anything. was it a cold day by the graveside by any chance? best to pace it over the day anyways
RIP to him. Cool tradition! I did the same when my best friend passed away here in Ireland. It's not common, but it was just something people understood when we poured a little Jameson out in respect of our tradition of meeting up on the last Friday of almost every month and starting with a Jameson.
toast at the graveside is not an Irish tradition. I've been to many a funeral and it never happened, in Ireland.
I’m Irish 🇮🇪🍀 My Dad is too! Thanks for this video!
Born in england but on Irish Soil. I laughed so much watching you, really brought situations happening as I grew up.
Nice one wolfe momma, i enjoy your good culture and interesting customs in irish. i do hope to be there some day. greet irish for the good work that they are doing, especially for immigrant. i love your hospitality and good heat in ireland. God richly bless ireland. (Amen)
I'm south african and my fiancé is Irish. A lot of things are starting to make sense now. I'm subscribing to your channel now so I can learn the culture and the language 😅
Congratulations for your interesting explanations! Now I have a better notion of your magnificent country and besides, I see that Ireland is more similar to my country than I initially thought. I've always wanted to visit it, I hope to go soon.... Regards from Spain!
I have very fond to visit ireland and learn there traditions and see their social work and write that experience in my own book.
Thanks for a great, informative video. I’ve never been, dont have firm plans to visit, but your video shows how charming everyone is, I need to make a plan to see Ireland!
So many of these little pieces of Etiquette exist in my part of Canada. Many stretches of the Miramichi river were settled by the Irish, so there are all these little pockets of communities along the river that are reminiscent of Ireland, Newfoundland & Labrador: in clothing, speech, music, etiquette, etc.
This summer, I called a tailor shop in New Castle to ask about something, and I legitimately thought that I had dialled a store in NL instead!
This really brought me back to living in Ireland! I was nodding my head to each of them and I love how some of them cross over to my own home country, Canada...although that's probably because we got them from the Irish who emigrated here in the first place. Thanks a mil for the smile with the video! -Tara
We North African Arabs are proud of Ireland for opening a consolation in the Moroccan Sahara and we love Ireland very much 🇮🇪🇲🇦✌️
Great Video. I remember my late Nan would always say "I will light a candle for you" or say "a prayer for you"
I’m American but my family before coming here was Scotts-Irish. I live in a small town and a decent amount of families here have the same heritage. We actually do a lot of those I had no idea where it came from until now. We do the byes, the waves, I’ll let you go, the please and thank yous. The swearing etc
We love so many aspects of Irish Culture! You have done a really marvellous job here.... this video should be mandatory to every foreigner coming to Ireland;)
Thanks for the video, I loved it! I love Ireland and its culture.
Slagging , the " Go on" and being late, that's what mexicans could have in common with the Irish 😊😁
Greetings from Mexico 👋🏻
I'm Irish and México is like a second home to me! I lived there for a while. The welcome, Catholicism, the partying, the love of music and family... Your food is 1000 times better though!! ♥️
@@catsy26 thank you!! You're welcome anytime you want to come back! I lived in Galway only for a couple.of weeks but I think I left part of my heart there too! I really wish I can go back one day :)
Love our Mexican brothers and sisters.
@@analorenasanchez9285 We're very similar to latin americans in many things. I love México, your culture is beyond amazing and one of our finest hours as a nation involved your country (the San Patricio regiment).
I def love Ireland. Have done 5 road trips from ten to thirteen days each. After landing just rent a car and drive. No plan, no route to follow. Have driven on dirt roads, paved roads and places where there were no roads. If you are looking for a place to go and have great food and meet great people Ireland is the way to go.
So glad to hear this!! Our first international trip since lockdown and idk why but I was drawn to Ireland which is not my usual choice (I normally like bustling cities like NYC or London or the tropics). Was def looking for a slower and more friendly place, esp in the countryside.
Good site to see nature?
@@ganpatsalunke4847 Well you will def see a lot of sheep there!! Tasty!! As for other animals, we really were not looking for such a thing. If they were there, fine, if not, keep driving. If you mean pretty hills, valleys, small villages and the like...tons of that.
Nice information for my upcoming trip to Ireland. I really want to dive into the local/pub culture. Thanks for sharing. Bye, bye, bye. Bye. LOL
Great info. All very true and fun way to look at us Irish. Very enjoyable!🙂
Remarkably accurate collection of tips/explanations here. This really is good advice for anyone coming to Ireland (endorsement from an ageing native).
Oh my god .. amazing culture the Irish have 😅😁🥰.. totally the opposite of what I have seen in Germany 😅.. thank you very much for the video, I will subscribe to the channel now :)
Well done yourself. I've been blessed to have a shower of Irish friends who've (thanks be to God) taught me these phrases, expressions, and customs over many years. The only time I really blew things was about 10 yrs ago, whilst in rural Cork where we stay, an elderly friend and I greeted each other - he in his farm yard, myself on my daily 3 mile dander, walking past, on the boreen, and he invited me over for a ''party'' on the following Thursday evening. He told me this party was at his STATION. The custom in the country of gathering at the parishioners' homes for masses and stations of the cross with a ceali following was something I'd never known about. My friend and I showed up in our (at least they were clean) casual clothes: jeans, jumpers, hats, barn coats, and scarves, and muck boots (was November), and were greeted with hugs and kisses by the aulfella in a suit. His Sunday best! My friend and I were aghast, and feeling terribly under dressed at that point. And then, to our utter embarrassment, to enter his cottage to find each room with furnishings removed and lined with chairs, and similarly dressed up neighbors' bottoms sitting quietly in them, ready for MASS, (altar set up in the seomra suí) blew us away. (My friend whispered she was going to kill me when we got home) We took our seats as old Tom directed us, in the dining room. There were lots of smiles and whispers...haha. Naturally no one knew us because we only ''live'' in the neighborhood for about 8 wks a year, so we were relieved by that. After the mass which we could barely hear, there was a big party indeed. We had some great craic, got to know all the neighbors (who yes, we'd been waving at passing on the boreens, or yelling ''howeyeh'' across the fields and yards for years) and heard some awesome and exciting stories about their parents and grandparents in Rebel Cork during the years leading up to and after the uprising. The conversations ran late in to the night. Unfortunately it was a very foggy night, and the scheduled band coming to provide the music for the dancing got lost in the fog. Thanks a million for the video!
whar a lovely memory for you. Thanks for sharing.
So fun! I grew up in a very Irish Catholic suburb of Boston, MA and I recognize some of the Irish customs and expressions.
Im Irish and I can say as a child/youth, I never got away with swearing. I remember at age 4 my mother chasing me down the street with a broom cause I "misspoke". Not sure if its a true memory or one I made up but I like it and am sticking with it! lol I just spoke with an irish Aunt by phone a few days ago and no sooner got talking than "I'll let you go" and thankfully I took the hint. And there were several byes at the end. Tea was always a must and a "go on" is a must accept. My granny always put on a good spread and the number of refusals and "ah go on" and acceptance, is a joy to remember.
I’ve got Irish heritage on both sides of my family but, these customs are still going strong after 6 generations. My Dad is particularly good at running late.
Thanks 1 million. I immigrated and now after 1 year I understand your sorry and not meant how are you. It drove me always crazy. I didn't want to tell my mood to everybody. Super😂😂😂😘
Oh I would really want to watch this video before I have moved to Ireland! It is a really helpful one for any expat who plans life in Ireland.
And you should do a similar one for the relationships, pleaseeee:DD
The 'how are you' or 'howeyeh' part is the most true. I live in America now and my family, my mum especially, will always respond to "how are you" with "hi how are you" and the look of confusion on the other person face is priceless. I do it too on occasion, but im young and have been somewhat 'Americanized'
Yes, that's true for most of the traditions of my family and that of many of my friends in Australia as well. Irish heritage is strong amongst my family and friends.
Loved this! We are traveling to Ireland this April and you were so helpful! Can't wait to put it in practice :) You are adorable! Bye! Bye, bye... bye!
Thanks so much! Hope you have a great time visiting Ireland! 💗
I am from the Southern United States (South Georgia) and so many of these are the same here. The waving, a thousand goodbyes, please/thank you (with an added sir/ma'am), we offer everyone that visits food instead of tea, and we always end conversations with "I'll let you go" or "I don't wanna keep you."
Yes ma'am I was thinking the same thing I'm from east Tennessee and it's that way here as well
Thank you that was grand, regards to you from Australia..
Spot on video. I am very familiar with all of these custome esp the 'I'll let you go now' and thanking the bus driver.