Posted: 10/29/2010 8:27:22 AM EDT
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Hello all. I am trying to plan a vacation to Ireland in the spring on 2011. I have been told by several people that I won't like Ireland at all because I don't golf and the people of Ireland don't really care for Americans and the local people are rude. I am hoping that is not true. Can anyone give me some insight on the country, things to do, places to see. I would like to find family while there but that will be a task in itself.
Any help would be appreciated. Thank you |
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Ireland is beautiful but bring wet weather gear it's called the emerald isle for a reason.
I don't think Ever met anyone rude even when I was working in Northern Ireland when I was in the army.However an old friend of mine was never that impressed with Americans who say they are Irish!! You will have a great time! 
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Quoted:
However an old friend of mine was never that impressed with Americans who say they are Irish!! [/quote/ Yeah, there's no one more Irish than an Irishman that's never left New York You will have a great time!
I'll second that. Very friendly people and nice countryside. |
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That's a bit like saying all Americans are fat, loud, obnoxious and carry guns, which we know isn't true as I've met several Americans who don't carry guns. Like most places in the world, you'll get out of it what you put in. The people I usually hear complaining about how poorly they were treated tend to (i) have gone with unrealistic expectations of some fairytale utopia, and/or (ii) have acted like arseholes and been treated like such in return. Please don't take any offence from the following analysis. It's a little blunt in ways but it is written from the perspective of someone who has been at the receiving end of tourism from a few different countries. I'm also quite pro-American, even if it's not apparant from the rest of the post. I think that there is a cultural difference with the US in relation to what people expect from their vacations. Having spent summers as a kid working in tourist spots around the world (including the US), I can honestly say that Americans have the worst reputation as tourists* - and deservedly so from my experience. This is a massive shame as most Americans I've known are actually pretty warm, welcoming and open people. Except when they're tourists  Go with an open heart and mind and a willingness to shrug and get on with it when something goes wrong. You'll probably have the time of your life. You'll certainly get on much better with the people that you meet. Just remember that you'll be battling against the bad impression left by the loud, demanding, hawaiian-shirt-clad, ridiculously-big-camera-carrying, complaining-that-its-not-as-good-as-it-is-at-home, temper-tantrum-throwing American that managed to reinforce a rather negative stereotype. People forget about the 100 lovely guests they've had and just remember that one guy. I was discussing this with a friend before posting and they've just pointed out something that is blindingly obvious in retrospect. More than any other nationality we can think of, Americans on holiday don't ask. They demand. They tell. They complain. Perhaps that is the cultural difference? There seems to be some common courtesy switch that gets turned off when they go on holiday, it's really bizarre and a complete shame. An example from a time in a mediterranean country. I was at a hotel that seemed to be having some problems with the showers - I think they'd replaced them before the beginning of the season and there were some teething problems, if memory serves. I went down to the counter and listened to an American complaining, demanding, slapping his hand on the counter several times telling them that "this isn't good enough, even for a third world country like yours"  The only thing he forgot to mention was how the US won the war and why they should be grateful to him that they weren't speaking German (which I've heard on more than a few occasions before) When he finished, I went up and asked nicely for help. My shower was fixed by the afternoon. I know for a fact they kept coming up with excuses why they couldn't fix his for a few days because he kept complaining loudly about it at breakfast. I'm fairly sure there was some connection  I appreciate that this includes some sweeping generalisations but think of it like this - the reason I ignore the good guys is because the bad guys make such a big scene they stick in the memory. That preconceived idea of Americans is what might affect your holiday. Be the good guy and you'll have a great time. *I'm discounting the clubbing holidays here because the ability to act like an arse after a few drinks is nationality-neutral, though the Brits are probably in the lead |
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Thanks for the replies so far guys.
Rouge- Your precetion of americans is almost spot on. Even going on vacation here in the states with my family people act just like you describe. I had an opprotunity to chat and have supper with a older couple from England over the summer and was told about the same thing about americans being demanding. I am pretty easy going and let things roll off my back pretty well. I must have made an impression on the couple because they have asked me to come and stay with them if I can make the Ireland trip. They were some of the nicest people I have ever met. Besides a pass port what other travel documents would I need to have with me? |
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Quoted:
Thanks for the replies so far guys. Rouge- Your precetion of americans is almost spot on. Even going on vacation here in the states with my family people act just like you describe. I had an opprotunity to chat and have supper with a older couple from England over the summer and was told about the same thing about americans being demanding. I am pretty easy going and let things roll off my back pretty well. I must have made an impression on the couple because they have asked me to come and stay with them if I can make the Ireland trip. They were some of the nicest people I have ever met. Besides a pass port what other travel documents would I need to have with me? Local currency, travel insurance and a driving license. That's all Have fun. What part of Ireland are you headed to? |
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Pretty much what Bradders said.
Just brought my wife over for a week as a birthday treat - she loved it - especially in the more old fashioned ( I say hillbilly ) remote parts of County Kerry. As to rude etc ? They give as good as they get. Be happy and sociable and you will get the same in return. If you going to the West or the South West, pm me and I will give you a few pointers - I lived 4yrs in the SW and 7 yrs in the West. |
Remember to drive on the left
Avoid Limerick aka Stab City
Time is a flexible concept, drinking time doubly so. 11:00pm is early enough to go out to a bar in rural areas . The Irish are used to Americans "looking for their roots" In no particular order, Cashel, Killarney Galway, the Arran Islands, The Dingle Peninsula http://www.roughguides.com/travel/europe/ireland.aspx |