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Post by maolsheachlann on Sept 4, 2018 11:27:58 GMT
Growing out of a discussion on another thread, I thought this video by Dave Cullen is very interesting. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hNeAaPo8xgNotice the attitude of the lady who gives the TED talk-- a woman from Dubai (where she was not given citizenship despite being born there-- but she still lectures the Irish on how we treat newcomers). She came to Ireland and decided to become an Irish citizen. As I said previously, I think this is a perfectly legitimate aspiration, but notice her attitude. It's not one of gratitude towards her host country, or determination to fit in. It's one of resentment and superciliousness. No sooner is she an Irish citizen then she is lecturing the Irish on how their view of Irishness is outdated. It's this kind of thing I object to, and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone. I do salute her for wanting to learn as much about the country as she can, to go beyond the minimum required, but I think her attitude needs a real rethink. If I became a citizen of another country, I would not consider it gratitude to give them lectures on how they had to make me comfortable. I would be more respectful than that, I hope.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2018 14:15:07 GMT
What a well timed video, considering my remarks in the other thread. A person who, in no uncertain terms, states that being racially Irish is "outdated".
But that's how things are, Maolsheachlann. You have people come to Western countries and complain about things that they'd never get away with in other parts of the world; especially their country of origin. She says that she was from the UAE, then puts on faux-surprise that people would ask where she's really from. A big shock that Irish people would want to know where you're from when you speak with a foreign accent.
It reminds me of a black African(-Irish?) woman I saw in a pro-abortion video once. I don't know if she was an Irish citizen or what (though judging by her accent fading in and out between African and Dublin, I would guess so.) Basically, there's a gathering of 20-30 people on O'Connell Street talking about abortion in Ireland, then this moron gets brought up on the box (it was a literal box) where every couple of words is f*** or f***ing, and shouting her head off about how Ireland is a racist country (because it doesn't have abortion, and Savita Halappanavar?) Never mind that she was allowed into the country long enough to start taking on a Dublin accent, or that Ireland sends large amounts of aid to Africa, or that she is allowed to stand up in the street shouting and cursing like a moron. It is, of course, Ireland that is the racist here; and there's absolutely no projection taking place whatsoever.
Quite frankly, I'm getting a bit fed up with this crap. I'm fed up with the hypocrisy, with nonsensical cloak-terms like "New Irish", and with the very idea that simply having a conversation about race is enough to make people pariahs to the point they feel the need to lay low and hide.
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Post by maolsheachlann on Sept 4, 2018 14:36:15 GMT
She says that when people ask her where she's from, she replies: "I'm Irish". Which is not what they asked her. Then she says that the "inevitable second question" is: "Where are you REALLY from?". I'm very sceptical this is what she actually gets asked as a follow-up. I'm betting it's actually: "Where are you originally from?"
OK, I can understand her getting tired of this. But really, it's not a big deal. I'm sure that if she told people she's originally from the UAE but she became an Irish citizen and now considers herself Irish most people's response would be: "OK". That would be my response. At least, until she started lecturing me...
People quite often ask ME where I'm from, because my name is unusual, and my accent is light. Maybe I should get bent out of shape about this?
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Irishness
Sept 4, 2018 21:26:30 GMT
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Post by annie on Sept 4, 2018 21:26:30 GMT
Irish people ask one another where they are from soon after meeting a new person. It's what we do. After finding out the county, you'll be asked "what part?" and then "do you know such and such a one". The purpose is to find out if we are related or have some other long lost connection. Earlier this year I met a stranger who is best friends with a boy who grew up beside me but moved away and I haven't heard of since then.
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Post by Young Ireland on Sept 4, 2018 21:29:17 GMT
Irish people ask one another where they are from soon after meeting a new person. It's what we do. After finding out the county, you'll be asked "what part?" and then "do you know such and such a one". The purpose is to find out if we are related or have some other long lost connection. Earlier this year I met a stranger who is best friends with a boy who grew up beside me but moved away and I haven't heard of since then. That's a very good point, Annie. Maybe this was a case of the lady not understanding that no offence was intended, but rather that these questions are common amongst Irish people
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2018 11:55:29 GMT
Irish people ask one another where they are from soon after meeting a new person. It's what we do. After finding out the county, you'll be asked "what part?" and then "do you know such and such a one". The purpose is to find out if we are related or have some other long lost connection. Earlier this year I met a stranger who is best friends with a boy who grew up beside me but moved away and I haven't heard of since then. It's also being respectful in showing interest in the person enough that you want to know more about them.
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Post by maolsheachlann on Sept 5, 2018 12:14:40 GMT
Irish people ask one another where they are from soon after meeting a new person. It's what we do. After finding out the county, you'll be asked "what part?" and then "do you know such and such a one". The purpose is to find out if we are related or have some other long lost connection. Earlier this year I met a stranger who is best friends with a boy who grew up beside me but moved away and I haven't heard of since then. It's also being respectful in showing interest in the person enough that you want to know more about them. What to say to people when you first meet them is a minefield. What do you work at? Reducing someone to an occupation, certainly not welcome if they are unemployed. Where do you live? People might be sensitive about that for many reasons. Where are you from? Well, we see this lady's reaction, though I think it's excessive and rather ungrateful. Kids? They might have had a miscarriage, infertility, or some such. Personally, I think "getting to know you" chat is best kept away from the personal altogether. Let them tell you what they want you to know. I think it's better to draw one's opening chatter from the cirumstances of your meeting.
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