Ireland - The Trilogy 2/3

I know, 5 days is not much at all when getting to know a new culture. I just always like to open my mind to other ways of life, the people and the language. Even though my interactions with Irish people was limited to taxi drivers, waiters, shop owners and the hotel staff, I always want to examine the behaviour and the way of thinking of other people. I'm an observer, if you may.

The Irish people remind me a lot of Skandinavian people, or maybe just myself (I do enjoy the British comedy). I guess one thing that combines us is the lack of sun and the consumption of alcohol, but jokes aside, there must be something else.

As a Celtic nation, Ireland differs culturally from the more commonly known Anglo-Saxon-Norman England. The most notable Irish values are

1. Irony and sense of humour.

- I noticed this especially during my City Bus Tour around Dublin. The conductor, and simultaneously the tour guide was HI-LA-RI-OUS. He had this witty sense of humour which made me feel right at home.

2. Mistrust of British

- ... Well, I didn't see specific hatred for British people and actually I think that this hatred is similar to the Finland - Sweden -kind of friendly rivalry

3. Informality

- This is what makes me feel happy and relaxed. I'm not the most formal or strickt person the is so this way of handling situations is right up my alley (I noticed that this doesn't always work with Finnish culture, and I've embarrassed myself quite a few times because of this)... I felt really comfortable knowing that things are not as serious as they may seem, and there were not enough room for akwardness.

4. Social anchors of land, church and family

- Irish people are really proud of their country and it shows. They are not nationalists or racist but I could easily sense the fondness for their own country. I asked a taxi driver if he likes Dublin, and his response was "I absolutely love it". My hotel information booklet had opening hours of the near-by churches so they value their Catholic religion as well as their families.

5. Rural simplicity

- The Irish countryside (which I only got to dream about due to my sickness) is absolutely stunning in its whole rurality. And everything is green all year round. If you've ever seen an episode of Game of Thrones (which is filmed in Ireland) you know exactly what I mean.

6. Poetic tendencies

- They remind more Italians than British with their more poetic and philosophical speech. I myself am a hopeless romantic and enjoyed listening to them speaking. I found it more like listening to someone reading a novel out loud. I think that British people are more analytical in their speech than the Irish.

Irish people truly are like exited little puppies just waiting to explore the world. They are warm, kind, genuine, and hospitable and the best way to interact with them is act the same way towards them.

-Johanna