What did Irish mum mean.

[Pinkhorses]

At a playgroup , discussing places to visit on holiday. I said Xxx area is lovely . Nice beaches and walks , good places to eat , something like that .
She said “Is it -nice, nice ... or What English people think is nice?” And then did a big laugh as if everyone knew what she would mean.
( The Irish woman and I are both immigrants where we are living)
I was confused why she said this.
Any help ? , just curious .

Were you talking about a beach town/resort?

If so, could she be referring to the stereotypical British beach of kiss-me-quick hats, stag and hen parties and amusement arcades? Or the holiday resorts the stereotypical Brits may frequent such as Benidorm or Shagaluf? "Nice nice" but not "niace"? That would be my assumption of her meaning, as opposed to a "nice" beach with soft white sand, no litter, no loud music, and no inappropriate behaviour the children would rather not see.

She’s asking if it’s one of those shit holes loaded with British holiday makers who drink heavily and make lots of ‘family noise’, eating British food and getting burnt to a crisp aka tanned etc etc

Or is it somewhere where people are quietly and elegantly enjoying a holiday, eating local food, emersing themselves in the local culture and taking care not to disturb locals.

That’s what she meant. You asked!

As above! I remember being totally baffled when I first visited the fabled British seaside. Stoney beaches, murky water, not very nice or family friendly shops. I find them all very grim and depressing. My DH grew up in one, but I just can't ever really love it or think of it as nice compared to the Irish seaside places we used to go to as children (but I might not phrase it like that lady did...it was a little snide..)

OP why didn’t you ask what she meant.

Oh yes! Thanks .That makes sense. I’ve been in NZ for so long that I’d forgotten about those kinds of over developed seaside places. I’ve been here fior 15 years but she is newly arrived and has an has an English husband. That’ll be it.

I didnt ask because it was a fast moving conversation with a group and th usual toddler interruptions.)