Cultural dos and don’ts, plus a handy phrase book that introduces you to the language and local argot.
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Dos and don’ts
- Pub life: The pub is the center of Irish social life. But don’t assume this means the Irish are a nation of excessive drinkers. Plenty of people in the neighborhood pub are just having a soft drink, or a lime and soda—a mixture of sweetened lime juice and sparkling water. But most are having a pint—a large glass of flat, fizz-free ale. Either way, they’re there to chat with friends and catch up on the local news. In small towns, the pub will also be a shop or even a post office.
- Conversation: Irish society is considered friendly and chatty. So you can talk to people you don’t know and they won’t likely mind, but they might not talk to you first.
- Personal space: The Republic of Ireland is generally a tactile nation; people often touch each other’s arms while chatting, and there’s lots of hugging.
- Dining solo: It’s OK to dine alone, though women in Ireland are rarely seen dining solo in the evening in a restaurant. You may feel on display if you eat dinner alone, so if that bothers you, bring a book or magazine.
Phrase Book:
Black stuff: Guinness; the de facto national drink.
Craic: Good fun, lively. Pronounced crack.
Da: Father.
Dear: Expensive.
Dodgy: Suspect, dangerous.
Dosser: A lazy person.
Fag: Cigarette (essentially outlawed in most public places).
Fruit machines: Slot machines, ubiquitous in pubs.
Gaff: House.
Jammy: Lucky.
Jar: A pint of ale.
Kip: Sleep.
Kit: Clothes.
Nappy: Diaper.
