Every nation in the world has its own characteristics, which are absolutely normal and ordinary for them, but if a person of another nationality gets into their environment, he may be very surprised by the habits and traditions of the inhabitants of this country, because they will not coincide with his own ideas about life. Here are 10 national habits and peculiarities of the Irish.
They receive an unusual inheritance
It is customary for heirs to wait for landed property or at least a small chest of family heirlooms. The inhabitants of rainy Ireland have made a pun of sorts with this tradition: a hat is considered the main treasure passed from father to son, an irreplaceable thing in such capricious weather.
They don’t eat when they visit
The Irish have a strange peculiarity: they feel uncomfortable when being a guest, that’s why most of the meetings are moved to the beloved pubs. If you manage to drag a reluctant neighbor for dinner, be prepared that he may refuse your cooking with a nonchalant look. Either the Irishman eats his own food or he makes do with fast food. Such are the principles of taste.
They can’t do without black humor
Conversation is a favorite pastime of the Irish. But don’t expect a muffled conversation by the fireplace: even close friends here can’t do without black humor. And if you’re lucky enough to get a compliment, the next phrase will bring you back down to earth. Irony is honored on the island, so the islanders don’t think about offending each other.
They like to argue
Arguing is a national weakness of the Irish. You will be encouraged to discuss their position, and if you actively disagree, blame yourself. Dispute drags on for hours: jumping from topic to topic, the Irish deftly change the shades of conversation, and the most serious debate can turn into a joke.
They shoot partridges right in town
The Irish actively take advantage of their proximity to nature. In Dublin, for example, it’s not unusual to get away from business in the middle of the work week and go hunting with the dog, and then check the mailbox in the evening of the same day and go back to the daily grind. And the smaller townspeople quietly shoot grouse and fish right in the city limits: chances are good to catch a nice trout for dinner.
They’re crazy about horses
The heart of every Irishman is traditionally filled with love for horses. Indeed, a frolicking racehorse in the wild is a sight worth seeing at least once in a lifetime. The inhabitants of Ireland’s small towns are especially crazy about horses: racing is often the only thing that stirs their interest. Here, a thoroughbred walking along the highway is more exciting than a brand-new Rolls-Royce. And if there’s a horse in town that’s ready for a race, it becomes a local celebrity.
They’re specialists in gerundology
The cheerful disposition of the Irish is evident in all sorts of quirks: it’s great fun to brighten up your observations with a quirky phrase! You may hear something like, “It’s so cold here that even a wild duck would catch rheumatism!” or “We have so little cold water in the house that there isn’t even enough to christen a witch.” The residents’ wild imagination also links the unique natural scenery with a multitude of incredibly funny events that have supposedly happened here, with the most absurd incident being told with the most serious look.
They drink till they drop
Ireland’s beer drinking culture is one of the best in the world – you can’t really have a good evening without a visit to the pub. The only problem is that it’s difficult to go home at a glide gait, because most Irish people drink in a circular system. It means that in companies everyone buys beer for everyone in turn and it is considered disrespectful to leave the meeting before the circle is over. Thus, in companies of more than three people your chances of staying on your feet are extremely slim, given the famous strength of the Irish stout.
The state pays for their hangovers
Continuing the theme of the Irish people’s traditional boundless love of beer drinks, it is impossible not to mention their caring government. If a citizen has been suffering from alcoholism for more than a year, he can apply for help from a special medical commission. After checking the person is recognized as an addict, and the state is obliged to pay him 12 pounds a day, so that the sick person could buy himself a drink, and not steal or take money from the family.
They are incorrigible retrogrades
The Irish are, one might say, quite indifferent to the Industrial Revolution and mechanization. If possible, they would rather prefer something more traditional. So, today on the railroads of Ireland you can find locomotives from the early 20th century (of course, restored and in good condition). What to say about the unconditional superiority of horses over cars!