Differences between Irish and British people

[Picnicinnovember]

Inspired by the very interesting thread on differences between British people and Americans.

I'm Irish and over here we watch British TV, have loads of British chain stores in our towns and cities, read very similar newspapers, British magazines, grew up reading British comics etc. but yet we're very different in many ways from British people, particularly English people I would say.

I'm just wondering what people think the main differences are? We're pretty crap at timekeeping in Ireland, have a fairly distinctive sense of humour, and aren't that bothered about breaking minor rules and regulations.

Any other differences people have noticed?

The Irish (the island as a whole), along with people from Scotland and Wales can be enthusiastically patriotic and proud of their nation and its traditions, fly the flag, you name it. The English on the other hand... nope - if the English do that, they are branded xenophobic at best.

Why are people seeking to highlight the differences instead of celebrating the similarities?

Because for the most part it is fun!

I am currently working in Finland, the Scandinavians take the piss out of each other all the time over their various quirky differences. They all know they have way more in common then the rest of the world but revel in the small differences.

Scandinavian jokes featuring “the Swede, the Dane and the Norwegian” are commonplace.

The typical Dane is usually seen as a slightly decadent hedonist, with a can of beer never far from reach. The typical Norwegian is depicted as an uneducated jumper-wearing country bumpkin, always with a fish close at hand. It is joked that the swedes will never talk to anyone at a party because they will be waiting all evening to be introduced to each other and so on.

Spend a lot of time on Ireland as my mum lives there

In Ireland you have better Chinese takeaways
In England we have better Indian takeaways
Overall I think the food is better in Ireland

Longer celebrations for occasions in ireland

It's quite obvious to me that this thread was mean to be lighthearted. Why are people getting so worked up over it?

Because it has the potential to become nasty

tinselfest

Typically it is the left leaning English who seem to have a particular loathing of any kind of patriotism or indeed any celebration of ‘Englishness’. As you point out it is often seen as being jingoistic, xenophobic or racist but it’s not the celts making that claim!

Most nations have broad stroke characteristics that define them and set them apart the citizens of other countries

Yes Pan but on these threads you get lazy, often offensive stereotype, with little or no understanding of the reasons behind different practices and cultural norms.

The very first response here is Irish people love a funeral quite possibly from an Irish person as plenty of my fellow country men and women like to Oirish it up for the Brits or the Yanks . "Oh sure we only love a good funeral so we do. The craic is mighty! The drink! The apple tarts!" Ffs it's such a stereotype to think the fact that Irish funerals are well attended means we all consider them a fun day out. I've been to five this year, didn't love 'em funnily enough.

Let's see, there was the suicide of a guy I grew up with. Wife and two teens left behind.
There was the death of a colleagues wife, brain tumor, two months between diagnosis and death, a three year old child left without a mother.
There was the mother of one of my oldest friends, early 60s, completely out of the blue, family still reeling.
My uncle, ravaged by cancer for 4 years before he died.
A colleagues dad, elderly but healthy, massive stroke sitting on the couch watching tv with his wife.

Sorry but these simplistic statements that Irish or English people think/believe/say/do this or that are often offensive and sometimes deliberately so. They certainly don't help educate either about the others culture, often serving only to reinforce downright stupid or harmful views that some hold, and are unhelpful between two countries that have a long and complex history particularly in the current climate.

I'm Irish and hate being late but I would see a casual attitude to timekeeping as a common enough trait in Irish people. So much so that for my 50th birthday party I told all my Irish guests it was starting at 8.30 and all my non Irish ones it started at 9. Almost everyone arrived at 9 😁.
I think as a nation we are probably less compliant and see petty rules as a challenge. I also agree with whoever mentioned the different attitudes to death. Death is very much seen as part of life here and children are routinely brought to funerals, not so much in England.

can't nail on the head, thank you!

Typically it is the left leaning English who seem to have a particular loathing of any kind of patriotism or indeed any celebration of ‘Englishness’. As you point out it is often seen as being jingoistic, xenophobic or racist but it’s not the celts making that claim!

Yes, as a Scot I would say we don't give a monkeys if you are feeling patriotic . There is an unfortunate trend of far right groups using the English flag for their own purposes though, which is unfortunate for the average English person who is (quite rightly) simply proud of where they come from.

The Irish side of my family just turn up to a funeral, any funeral..they love em.
The English have to be invited..they hate them, all that emotion...no
The Irish side swear a lot, oh I know feck sounds nicer but it still fuck
My English side only swear in dire circumstances.
My Irish side love taking the piss...out of themselves.
My English side never take the piss but love sarcasm.
Other than that I can’t see any differences.

You can’t teally compare British people to other nations given that “Britishness” varies so much.

I've never come across being invited to a funeral. I'm a standard British mongrel, brought up in England, and it is something I have never heard of except on MN.

Dual citizen here. Love Irish hospitality, the lovely Inclusive nature of all celebrations (and funerals ☹️ Where everyone you’ve ever known comes to pay respects - find that so supportive), my humour is very Irish, as is my English daughter’s. English husband also v funny in a v English way - we’re a good match. Love spending time in Ireland and I feel very close to extended family, who live all over the world. I love the Irishness and Englishness of us all.

English tend to be easily offended

I think the Irish and Scots are very similar (possibly all the rain lol) and always get along very well.

Aw. I was looking forward to learning a bit more about Irish culture, but I see this has descended into handwringing arseholery

'English tend to be easily offended'
On MN anyway!

Do they sell cadbury's creme eggs in Ireland at Easter?

This always turns into English-bashing more specifically southern English bashing.

Northern Irish - living in South of England.
The main difference that I see when I go home is how chatty and friendly people are compared to the English. You can’t stand at a bus stop in belfast without someone starting a conversation, same goes for shops, pubs etc. Just doesn’t happen in England.
I also find the English attitude to funerals baffling, it’s like they’re embarrassed by death. In Ireland you go to show your respects to someone, their family. If a colleague has a loss then work people go to the funeral, in England people barely speak to the grieving person because they feel awkward about what to say. It’s very odd.

Aw. I was looking forward to learning a bit more about Irish culture, but I see this has descended into handwringing arseholery

That’s about the size of it. I guess the OP forgot to put ‘light hearted’ in her title so the professionally offended have collected shat the bed.

Also the Irish are waaaayyyy better at rugby!

Yes, I agree with PP, I'm English and I don't recall any funerals I've attended being 'invite only'!

People always says people are so chatty up north/ in Ireland/ Wales like it's a blanket positive thing. What is that about?