| As an American living in Galway City, Ireland, I | | | | the Irish trad musicians jam on fiddle, uillean pipes |
| have it on pretty good authority (my own Irish | | | | and the bodhrán (those round, wooden, |
| friends) that the Irish people really do like | | | | hand-held drums played with a double-beater), |
| Americans. As I've been legally resident here for | | | | we're the ones with the big grins on our faces, |
| over two years and am no longer regarded as a | | | | while bobbing our heads to the lively beat. |
| "tourist" or "outsider", those of my acquaintance | | | | And it would be those very things that seem to |
| tend not to "mind" their tongues when I'm around. | | | | endear us to the Irish people. (The other day I |
| From comments and conversations I occasionally | | | | said to my friend Jackie that I was "slow as |
| overhear on the subject of the United States, | | | | molasses" at getting something done. And, sure, I'll |
| I've gathered that the Irish perceive us to be a | | | | never hear the end of that one.) But let's face it, |
| gregarious lot. Bold, often cheeky and outspoken, | | | | age-wise, the United States is a mere infant in the |
| but respected as a people with whom one usually | | | | grand scheme of things. A big baby, to be sure, |
| knows where one stands. | | | | but still a country less than three hundred years |
| In preparation for writing this article, however, I | | | | old. Then we discover Ireland, a place where we |
| posed the question directly to one of my closest | | | | are surrounded by age-old structures and |
| friends, Brian. He replied that although the Irish, as | | | | artifacts, many of which date back to prehistoric |
| a whole, aren't particularly keen on American | | | | times. |
| politics at the moment--a view, I might add, which | | | | I will always remember the awe I felt during my |
| seems to be shared by most of the | | | | first trip here. Driving the narrow, winding roads |
| EU--Americans ourselves...well they like us just | | | | through County Clare after leaving Shannon |
| fine. | | | | Airport, I suddenly looked up. Lo and behold there |
| Another friend I spoke to echoed Brian's | | | | on a hilltop was a real, true to life, ancient stone |
| sentiments, then went on to relate a conversation | | | | castle! Fairytale awesome! |
| he'd recently overheard. A man from the U.S. had | | | | So the only advice I would give to anyone visiting |
| taken great offense at being referred to as a | | | | Ireland--or any other foreign country for that |
| "Yank", complaining loudly that the term was | | | | matter--is to mind your manners. I mean, we are |
| almost a racial slur, akin to an American referring | | | | guests in someone else's home, after all, and |
| to an Irishman as "Paddy". | | | | should behave accordingly by using proper travel |
| Well, as one who makes my home here, I would | | | | etiquette. |
| have to strongly disagree with that fellow's | | | | With that in mind, I've written a short list of "Dos |
| interpretation. Point in fact: Brian has two friends | | | | and Don'ts" that should make you welcome, not |
| named "Kathy", and he has me listed in his mobile | | | | only in Ireland, but anywhere in the world. |
| phone address book as Kathy Yank. When I | | | | Be polite, not smug or argumentative. |
| brought the matter up to him for clarification, he | | | | (Remember, nobody likes a know-it-all) |
| explained that the term Yank is meant to be | | | | Don't complain about the prices, the |
| affectionate, not derogatory in any way. | | | | wait in line, or the weather (Come on now... you |
| So there. | | | | knew it rained a lot here before you decided to |
| All that said, however, no one would argue that | | | | come). |
| there are cultural differences between the two | | | | Don't brag about how much bigger, |
| societies. If I do say so, I've become pretty | | | | better, more modern, etc., things are in the U.S. |
| adept at spotting an American tourist before he | | | | Keep your voice down. The people |
| opens his mouth. It's hard to put into words, but | | | | three tables over don't really care to know how |
| there's just something about our personalities: | | | | much you made when you closed that last deal. |
| we're more demonstrative, more | | | | In closing, I'd like to say to those Americans |
| assertive--maybe tending to demonstrate a little | | | | planning a visit to Ireland, Cead mile failte (a |
| less patience on a whole-- than our average Irish | | | | hundred thousand welcomes). Come along and |
| friend. | | | | enjoy the ceol agus craic (music and fun) and |
| As far as being easily spotted... Well, wandering | | | | experience for yourself the obsequious warmth |
| through medieval castles, ancient stone circles and | | | | and charm of the Irish people. |
| other millennia-old heritage sites with our mouths | | | | Who knows? You may be just like me and find |
| unhinged in awe is pretty much a dead giveaway. | | | | you never want to leave. |
| But it's easy to spot us in the pubs, as well. As | | | | |