Do the American/Canadian ever get on your nerves with all their 'i'm of irish descent' malarchy?

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Orla C

Through Yahoo Answers it was brought to my attention that what we consider a nationality (as in 'Irish', 'German', etc.) is considered an ethnic group in the US or Canada - I honestly did not know that.

See, what most Americans/Canadians don't realise is that we consider nationalities (Irish, German, French, etc.) to be distinct from ethnic groups (Celts, Franconians, Saxons, Jewish, etc.), and that you can for have an Irish Jew, for example (and there are several of them in the Cork area, who consider themselves 100% Irish - and 100% Jewish).

So THIS is what causes the irritation - the mix-up between nationality and ethnic background.

I too get very irritated at people saying 'I'm half Irish', when they never saw Ireland in their lives. But I don't get irritated with 'I'm of Irish descent', because that's perfectly reasonable, given how much of a melting pot the US and Canada have been.

Don't tell my boss I'm on here

No it doesn't bother me, I think it's great that we come from a country that people are proud to be associated with.

I have noticed from my time on Yahoo answers, anytime an American or Canadian citizen states that they are Irish/Part Irish, or whatever, their answer tends to have a large amount of thumbs down.

Personally, my opinion is that your nationality is whatever country you were born in and I think it would be absolutely crazy to say that you are Irish when you have never even set foot in Ireland, but I don't have a problem with anyone saying that they are part Irish, or of Irish descent.

The only thing that really angers me is people (usually Americans, sorry) who come on and spout very off-the-cuff political opinions when they have no idea what they are talking about.

Erin

I see your point, and yes, to some people it can get annoying (not just american/canadian) when they claim their best friends dogs dads mother is from ireland. But to be perfectly honest, I don't paint them all with the same brush - a lot of americans/canadians are very nice and genuine - same as alot of irish people are w**kers. But we shouldn't typically judge cultures. Although, a friend of mine once got asked did he know "John from tiperarry" or are leprechauns real? They are really silly questions and asked by really silly people - but thankfully those people are in the minority.
Also it's not really their fault, they are thought in school about ireland as if it is some green island floating off the side of the UK.. Which is silly, and that we all sound like we're from down the country and own farms. It's stupid, and they touch us with the same brush... But everyone is different, and they come here, they should understand our culture as I try to theirs.

I hope I helped you!

lone wolf and pub

you know, I only had this discussion with my girlfriend last night. I was watching a rubbish movie on tv (p.s, i love you) and the mother in the movie said she was Irish, and her kids considered themselves Irish, even though none of them had even been to Ireland! okay, I'm sure it's nice to be part of a bigger culture or maybe it's the romantic idea that all Irish are red haired alcohol induced banjo players (or whatever)
I'm born of Irish parents,and was born and bred here. my friend has Estonian Parents and was brought up in Canada, and he considers himself Canadian.
so I don't think it matters if you love anything green, or if your granny had a dog called Guinness, or if you supported Ireland in the world cup.. unless you have an Irish upbringing (in Ireland) you obviously aren't Irish- you can't get an Irish passport just because your family name is Murphy or whatever. so whatever country issued your passport is your nationality!

hesitant_smile

I agree with Slip. I think she hit the nail right on the head. The Irish need to calm down and understand that Americans aren't trying to take your nationality away....they're just trying to regain a part of their ancestry. If your parents/grandparents are from Ireland, then yes, you are part Irish, especially if your family still raises you with that mindset. You would be considered an Irish-American. It's like saying that those who are from Africa are African-Americans. Just because they've never been to Africa, doesn't mean they're not African anymore, right? And if you think differently, I'd like to see you come over here and tell them that. And you should just be proud that you have a culture that others want to be apart of. I'm truly sorry for all the silly Americans who ask stupid questions and might try to emulate you, but we're really not all like that. Those are just a few of us...and they're probably not liked by anyone over here either!

AobhrÃl

I answered it last time, dunno why it was deleted. I'm glad they feel a pull to their heritage and blood culture rather than just gross materialism, I often wish Ireland was what the Yanks think it is it sounds so much prettier and magical. In some cases they can be annoying, they're very loud but that's really all Americans

Leaine Ni Loingsigh

It annoys me a bit, especially when they actually try to act Irish but get it all wrong- like they try to do the accent, or use phrases like 'Top of the morning' which I have never heard an Irish person say.

Dollsnatch

Urgh, its just that it seems like everyone claims to be Irish!

I dont have a problem with it myself, if theyre pround of their roots why not?

But theres so many of them- I really dont think they can all be Irish!

I mean even Obama says he is-but we let him 'cause hes you know, Obama. He rocks. His ancestral home is said to be in Co. Tipperary.

Im not insulting anyone I love the US, the practically had to kick me out last time I was there, and Canada is my next destination!

Sshhhh! It's Podge and Rodge

We couldn't care less about that MALARKEY.

slipstreamer

Great job not being disrespectful there (rolls eyes)

In regard to the Irish that seemingly resent this and cannot see anything other than their own viewpoint ; there are other cultures than yours - some like America and Canada were built by immigration and are multicultural. In these newer countries "Irish" is just another ethnicity. No one is "claiming" anything that is incorrect. It is just their personal history. Just as you might know the county your parents or grandparents are from - so do we. It's part of our family history. You are confusing cultural ethnicity with nationality. The problem is in your perception of what is being said. It is a cultural misunderstanding and assumption on the part of the Irish. It's like going to a fea market expecting fleas to be on sale - you have the words right, but have missed the meaning of the phrase. This type of misunderstanding often happens in different countries.

We (either in Canada or the US) shorten it to "Irish", when what we are saying in actuality is "of Irish descent". Just like in NYC there is no "New York style" whatever that you might find elsewhere - we just shorten t as we are in the US or Canada. We are not claiming Irish birth or nationality at all. Just consider it slang if that helps.

Get over yourselves. If you want people to stop "claiming their heritage" (despite their parents, cousins and grandparents that are still in Ireland or were born there) then you as a country should stop emigrating elsewhere when there is a famine or economic breakdown in Ireland. The countries that accepted the Irish immigrants when they were poor and starving are tired of being harangued by the Irish who cannot see any history but their own. There are cultures other than your own, and Irish-Americans, Irish-Canadians, and other immigrant groups that built the new world have a rich history of their own that has nothing to do with Ireland.

Luckily not all Irish people are superficially judgmental about other cultures. Many have traveled to multicultural countries (or even moved to them) and get the concept of cultural ethnicity as opposed to nationality. I do find it funny that if an American or Canadian is a color other than white - acknowledging their ethnicity is allowed. A Chinese-American or African-American is allowed their ancestral heritage - because they aren't white I guess. White people of European ancestry are accused of trying to be something they aren't by the same measure. Very strange double standard.

Lindsay-Lollypop

Yeah Sorta
It Doesn't Really Annoy Me But It Makes Me Curious As To Why American/Canadians Are So Facinated By The Irish
I Mean Are The Irish That Fascinated But The Americans/Canadians

P.S. I Don't Mean To Be Disrespectful To Any Americans/Canadians

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