Any Irish people here can help me out?

[Isafahan]

I'm not from Ireland so have no idea if this is a common thing or not. I recently became friends with an older Irish man and he has started referring to me as his "girlfriend" to other people, which naturally being English has freaked me out, as we wouldn't say that at all here would we?

He hasn't been living in the States, as I know it's very common over there.

Is it common parlance over in Ireland? From what I know, albeit vaguely, it isn't, but I could be wrong.

I'm feeling really creeped out as he's much, much older than me and there's been other stuff, but I shan't go into it all on here, for now.

Anyone Irish on here able to help me out|?

No. This isn't a term used commonly in ireland to denote friendship only relationships. But... if the age gap is such that it should be obvious that you aren't his love interest then he may well just be joking.

If he's saying it and then instigating any physical contact or being creepy in other ways you should probably avoid him.

I'd be creeped out too.
It's a global ignoramus thing.
Dependent upon who you've had the misfortune to meet.
Step away.

Thank you.

He has been creepy in other ways. And I know he has a girlfriend back home, he's talked about her a fair bit.

I feel really, really angry actually. I've helped him a LOT, he's an elderly pensioner who appeared to be struggling with technology and other stuff here.

No, that’s not an Irish thing at all. Trust your gut!

No, definitely not an Irish thing.

Of course it’s not ‘an Irish thing’. It’s either a poor joke or he’s just being mildly pervy because he can’t conceive of any form of male-female relationship that isn’t sexual.

This

I’m Irish. That’s not an Irish thing that’s an old creepy man thing.

He sounds creepy! I’m not Irish but my DH and his family are and it’s not something I’ve come across with any of them.

Another vote to this. It could be age related than nationality - inappropriate comments to a younger woman. I'm in my 50s and when I started work the culture was more like this. I look back in amazement now.

Unfortunately there is a long history of this behaviour in Ireland.

I'm not Irish but they have an expression that I love and I think you should use next time he asks for your help - "get tae fuck".

(I'm going to feel like a twit if that turns out to be Scottish)

An older man calling a much younger woman his girlfriend when she isn’t?

No, there certainly isn’t a long history of this!!

Any chance it’s the start of dementia OP? People can become a lot more uninhibited then.
Otherwise he’s ‘joking’ (but really getting it wrong. People do refer to their work wife etc though) or else he’s just a creep, plain and simple.

You’re the best judge.
Tell him to stop.

I think it is Scottish, sorry.
Possibly used in Northern Ireland, I’m not sure, but definitely not where I am in the south.

It’s not part of the culture for an older man to call a younger woman his girlfriend (unless she actually is).

Are you Irish/living in Ireland @RainyBea?

It isn't an Irish thing but it is definitely a creepy old man thing.

You sound very confused, @RainyBea. Or are you suggesting that the elderly man the OP is talking about is a priest with a history of sexual abuse, and she just hasn’t mentioned it?

Very well known issue, it’s one in 6 men in Ireland compared to the world average of 1/236.

As everyone else says no this is not an Irish thing. It is a creep thing. Just because he is elderly it does not excuse this behaviour. You would not accept it from a younger man, do not accept it because he is elderly.

Could you give a reference or a link to what you’re talking about please?
What’s ‘it’ exactly?

No there isn't.

No it isn't.

Looks scottish rather than Northern Irish but either way not Irish itself although in Dublin we would say 'get the fuck out' or similar but your spelling sounds Scottish. NI would say similar I guess but nothing springs to mind although it is a different country anyway, same Island like Scotland/England/Wales but still a different country with a different accent and different sayings.

That’s Scottish.
No one says that in Ireland, north or anywhere else.