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?

at Halloween being an American import. In fairness, the pumpkins are - mum always carved a turnip when we were young. Pumpkins are much much easier to carve though, so I’ll accept that import!

As a very broad generalisation : Irish, Scottish and Welsh people all have more in common with one another than they have with, in particular, middle-class people from the south of England who are culturally very different from the rest of the inhabitants of these islands
The big thing in common is a BIG chip on their shoulder which I suspect stems from the historical trouncing they received from 'English' armies. I use commas because some of the armies which trounced south Scotland were also made up of highlanders, the main issue being RC army fighting Protestant Scots.
The big difference with Ireland is Practising Roman Catholicism, I mean they have only just changed the laws on same sex marriage. If they only difference with the U.K. you can see is pies then I think a look at history books is required.
Any Irish I have known have been lovely, good sense of humour and the gift of the gab.

I'm Irish but have lived in England since I was 18. I go back to my family frequently. There have been enormous changes in Ireland since I left and the differences between the two have decreased due mainly, I think, to British retailers in every town and the internet/social media explosion as well as the demise of the religious stronghold on the country.

But some general differences still remain in my experience. I totally agree with the tea thing. The offer must be given at least 3 times and refusal of the first is generally to be expected and not taken as fact, hence the second offer and then the the third to be absolutely sure (to be sure).

The Irish takeaway food industry is also far better than the British one. Perhaps Indian food is slightly better in Britain but Chinese takeaways in Ireland are amazing. Spice Bag anyone? Also practically every petrol station has an elaborate deli counter serving made to order sandwiches and rolls. They are great quality and really cheap. They do Breakfast rolls containing every ingredient of a full Irish.

There is a definite difference in funeral culture. Our village rings the 'dead bell' when someone dies. The church bell is rung and everyone muses on who has died. As has been mentioned upthread, funerals are held quickly in comparison to Britain and attendance is big. Clearly there is no difference in the amount of grief or suffering for the bereaved. In my experience, Irish people are more comfortable around death and grief which may be of benefit to those dealing with a bereavement.

Another massive difference is in the culture of village sport. I live in a similar size village in Britain as my family do in Ireland and there is not nearly the same level of involvement in sport here. Almost every small village in Ireland has a GAA (Gaelic games) club and a soccer club with multiple teams for all age groups and there is enormous local support and pride in the village teams.

Historically, I would also say that things tended to 'go viral' in Ireland even before the internet was a thing. Things that 'everyone' was talking about ranging from a political issue to a song to an advert. Perhaps because of the size of population or the commonality of the people, things seem to seize the nation en masse in a way that doesn't happen in Britain.

Finally, I would say there are more similarities than differences between Ireland and Britain and all the usual caveats apply to my very personal observations, ie. generalisations, regional differences and so on.

The big difference with Ireland is Practising Roman Catholicism, I mean they have only just changed the laws on same sex marriage.

I really don't think this is true any more. The UK got civil partnerships in 2004 and risk marriage (England and Wales) in 2014.

Ireland got civil partnerships in 2011 and equal marriage in 2015.

I don't think that's such a big difference, especially since part of the UK (NI) still doesn't have equal marriage - and it ain't the Catholic part objecting, I can tell you that!

Don't forget equal marriage was brought in by referendum, which passed by a margin of 2:1. As did the vote to repeal the 8th amendment. If you ever wanted proof that the church's days of influence are over, it was those two referenda.

Actually, referenda would be another big difference between the two countries.

I live in Scotland - referenda are fine if you get a clear 2:1 win. not so good if it's close , A lot of animosity thereafter....

' I mean they have only just changed the laws on same sex marriage. '

2015 in Ireland and 2014 in England - is that a notable difference?

2015 in Ireland and 2014 in England - is that a notable difference?

Exactly. When I see a post like that it tells me not to pay too much mind to what the poster is saying - clearly they're going by stereotypes instead of actually being educated on it.

The Irish are a lot chattier and much more likely to strike up a conversation with a stranger.

Also Ireland is a very small place and everyone seems to know each other. On more than one occasion I've been chatting to a complete stranger in Dublin who turns out to know someone in the very small rural community my family live in on the West coast.

The Irish have a horror of "notions" ie. taking yourself too seriously. Generally they are unpretentious and also a lot more chill about their jobs (that said I live in London, I expect in most other parts of England people are also less work-obsessed).

Drinking culture ( having lived in Dublin for 2 years at one stage) .

The Irish drink more, but generally behave better with it than the English.

In Ireland ( my experience)

No such thing as pub crawls. You decide on a pub and stay there. You then don't lose valuable drinking time walking between pubs.

Because you stop in one pub, you can get a table. There aren't people stood about drinking in Irish pubs. Sitting at the bar is a normal thing though.

When you go out you take a coat just in case. Shivering young people barely dressed isn't the norm on an Irish night out. Because you go to one bar/pub , you can hang your coat up there.

Table service. Every pub. Lounge girls/boys taking your order so you don't have to queue at the bar. This also encourages the ' one pub a night' mentality.

Professional, uniformed, bar staff in nearly all pubs, local and city centre. Being a bar tender is a well paid , respected occupation in Ireland.

Real low level of anti social behaviour arising from drinking. Despite the amount of time the Irish spend in the pubs, there is surprisingly little anti social drunkenness.

In general, the drinking culture is more friendly..more about the atmosphere and friendliness then ' lets get hammered '.

For me , it explains the difference in atmosphere surrounding St Patricks day, and why we have jumped on board with it in this country.

For a lot of people, and to massively generalise, Paddys day = having a laugh in a general party atmosphere ..St Georges day = Gammon faced EDL members being racist and getting aggressive by 2.00pm in the afternoon .

Oh and occasionally mutually unintelligible slang :p I mentioned my local "chicken shop" in London to Irish family and they had no idea what I was on about, I think they thought I meant a livestock sale where you could buy an actual live chicken. In Ireland the fast food shop is the "chipper".

I'm Irish and have lived here all my life Winkleman.

There is plenty of standing around in pubs, lots of drunkenness and anti social behaviour, many people going out to get hammered and lots of problems associated with heavy drinking on St Patrick's Day.

Also bartending is not considered that great a job over here and certainly isn't that well paid. It's certainly not looked down on, but it's not really a job most people aspire to or want to be doing for the rest of their lives.

I mean they have only just changed the laws on same sex marriage
Ah you mean the first country in the world to legalise by popular vote.

And the best yet,we thank the bus drivers when we get off the bus

Silkie, assuming you're British (as am I), I can't help thinking levelling accusations of backwardness at Ireland is a bit rich coming from a national of a country currently busily propelling itself into the past on several levels (Brexit, poverty...).

As a resident of a third country entirely, Ireland appears to be moving forwards; Britain, backwards, at a rate of knots.

Everyone in Ireland knows at least 20 people called 'Mary'.

I found the Irish approach to law enforcement to be more practical and restorative, less formal and costly. I think the approach is more "Don't we all just want to get on with things" than "You broke the rules, you have to be punished". So you're more likely to get a bollocking from the gards than a criminal record.

Dione, since moving to Germany I've noticed how much more (in general) punitive and vengeful the British criminal justice system is than the German, especially with regard to young people. Germany has, of course, excellent historical reasons not to go overboard with judicial harshness and to put rehabilitation and redemption at the centre of things, but it's interesting you've noticed that about the British system too.

Everyone in Ireland knows at least 20 people called 'Mary'.

Eh no,thats not the case at all.Mary is an old fashioned name.Im actually struggling to think of someone called Mary.

Differences I notice when visiting Ireland are :

1. Every Irish home has open fires and/or cooking ranges and burn turf. The smell is the first thing I notice when arriving in Ireland and I love it. It's also an annual family thing to spend the day bringing in the turf to have a stockpile for winter. Probably more so in the countryside though. All homes Still have central heating but the fire will be lit every day.

1. The tea thing is real! Although more so from my parents generation. My friends and family don't feel the need to produce a lavish spread when visitors drop in.

1. Children are welcome in all restaurants/pubs and well catered for.

1. The food in Ireland is really really good and more generous portions.

5.Funerals are part of the social scene in rural Ireland anyway. There is a daily slot on the radio where death notices are read out. Again this is more relevant to my parents generation who listen without fail and then plan their week to make sure they can attend as many as possible.

6.Their newspapers report the names and grades that children achieve in examinations. This includes the uk equivalent gcses, a levels and degrees.

7.Irish tend to be nosier and seem to know far too much about other families. Also although they are down to earth in many ways are also quite snobby underneath it. This could just be my family though!

We (Irish) do love to thank the bus drivers! The journey hasn't been completed properly if we don't get a quick "thanks a mill" in there!

The childs names aren't listed in the newspapers. Each child has a state exam number unique to them and that is printed along with the points received so they can then check for college/university places. I'm not sure though if that's a totally online thing now though. I did my leaving a million years ago! I couldn't tell you what young Rory down the road got for his exams!

My experience of the Irish, who have moved to England, is that they never stop banging on about bloody Ireland. Even when they've been here for over 50 years. They pass this on to their kids, who call themselves Irish, even though they were born in England. Drives me nuts. If Ireland is so great, go and live there!

Huskylover1 very true and I speak as 2nd generation Irish! Some of my friends born in London are more Irish than friends who live in Ireland.

Zucker, oh maybe it was local papers and only some schools who did this. O remember cousins and aunties pouring over the paper reading out names of neighbours and lots of 'ohhh that's a shocker type of comment.

Ooh I've thought of another. Many Irish people think that thanking the bus driver is an 'only in Ireland' thing.

Everyone thanks the bus driver in England too... there are many, many threads about this in British subs on reddit, the shame of forgetting, or saying thank you in a cold voice and without a smile to express extreme anger and dislike, etc etc.

I'm English and I thank bus drivers!

I think what most unites the Welsh, Scottish and Irish is a rabid hatred of English people. If you move to England as a Welsh, Scottish or Irish person it will not affect your chances of getting a job. Being English in Wales, Scotland or Ireland will DEFINITELY affect your chances of getting a job.

I lived and volunteered in Scotland in my 20s. Scots would say to my face:
"We hate the English"
"You're all so arrogant"
"You stole our oil"
"You invaded our country"
And on one occasion a pub refused to serve me because I was English. I thought they were joking, I laughed, they weren't, I had to get my Scottish friends to buy the drinks. My Scottish friends used to say "We hate the English. But we like you" as though that made it OK!

An old friend of mine, who was Irish, moved back to Ireland with her English boyfriend. They were back within the year because nobody would hire him because he was English. Even his girlfriend admitted that was why.