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CULTURESHOCK A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette IRELAND Patricia Levy This E-Book edition published in 2008 by: Marshall Cavendish Editions An imprint of Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited A member of Times Publishing Limited Copyright © 2008 Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Request for permission should be addressed to the Publisher, Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited, 1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196. Tel: (65) 6213 9300, fax: (65) 6285 4871. E-mail: [email protected] The publisher makes no representation or warranties with respect to the contents of this book, and specifi cally disclaims any implied warranties or merchantability or fi tness for any particular purpose, and shall in no events be liable for any loss of profi t or any other commercial damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages. Other Marshall Cavendish Offi ces: Marshall Cavendish Corporation. 99 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591-9001, USA (cid:132) Marshall Cavendish Ltd. 5th Floor, 32–38 Saffron Hill, London EC1N 8FH, UK (cid:132) Marshall Cavendish International (Thailand) Co Ltd. 253 Asoke, 12th Flr, Sukhumvit 21 Road, Klongtoey Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand (cid:132) Marshall Cavendish (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Times Subang, Lot 46, Subang Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Batu Tiga, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia Marshall Cavendish is a trademark of Times Publishing Limited ISBN: 978-981-261-703-3 Photo Credits: All black and white photos from the author All illustrations by TRIGG A printed edition of CS! Ireland (ISBN: 978-981-261-125-3) is available from leading bookstores . ABOUT THE SERIES Culture shock is a state of disorientation that can come over anyone who has been thrust into unknown surroundings, away from one’s comfort zone. CultureShock! is a series of trusted and reputed guides which has, for decades, been helping expatriates and long-term visitors to cushion the impact of culture shock whenever they move to a new country. Written by people who have lived in the country and experienced culture shock themselves, the authors share all the information necessary for anyone to cope with these feelings of disorientation more effectively. The guides are written in a style that is easy to read and covers a range of topics that will arm readers with enough advice, hints and tips to make their lives as normal as possible again. Each book is structured in the same manner. It begins with the fi rst impressions that visitors will have of that city or country. To understand a culture, one must fi rst understand the people—where they came from, who they are, the values and traditions they live by, as well as their customs and etiquette. This is covered in the fi rst half of the book Then on with the practical aspects—how to settle in with the greatest of ease. Authors walk readers through how to fi nd accommodation, get the utilities and telecommunications up and running, enrol the children in school and keep in the pink of health. But that’s not all. Once the essentials are out of the way, venture out and try the food, enjoy more of the culture and travel to other areas. Then be immersed in the language of the country before discovering more about the business sid e of things. To round off, snippets of basic information are offered before readers are ‘tested’ on customs and etiquette of the country. Useful words and phrases, a comprehensive resource guide and list of books for further research are also included for easy reference. CONTENTS Preface vi Alternative Lifestyles 131 Map Of Ireland viii Chapter 5 Settling In Chapter 1 133 First Impressions 1 Formalities 134 Safety 3 Finding a Home 137 Smoking 4 Appliances and Utilities 140 What to Bring from Home 141 Chapter 2 The Education System 141 Overview of Land Money Matters 144 & History 5 Shopping 146 Geography 6 Health and Hospitals 147 Irish Industries 7 Transportation 149 History: A Terrible Beauty 14 Telecommunications d151 The Politics of the North 35 The Church and the State 48 Chapter 6 Irish Food Religion in the North 64 154 Politics 67 Spuds 155 Irish Meals 158 Chapter 3 Traditional Irish Dishes 160 The Irish 71 Other Irish Delicacies 161 Stereotypes and Reality 72 Guinness 162 Real Irish Icons 81 Whiskey 163 Values: What Makes Them Tick 83 Refi ned Dining 164 The Land 83 Dining and Entertaining Etiquette 166 The Move to the Cities 85 A Sense of History 86 Chapter 7 Emigration 89 A Bit of Crack 169 Irish Attitudes 93 Irish Festivals 170 Traditions: What They Cherish 102 Music 172 The Irish Work Ethic 103 Dancing 174 Festivals & Feis 175 Chapter 4 Socialising with Literature and the the Locals Performing Arts 177 111 Others 181 Ireland’s Ethnic Mix 112 Censorship vs Crack 186 Religious Ethnicity 123 Pub Culture 186 Class Divisions 123 The Irish Leisure Ethic 189 How They See You 126 Travel around the Country 189 Immigration 127 Hobbies and Sports 191 Social Customs and Etiquette 128 Sport and Politics: The GAA ney200 Chapter 8 Chapter 10 A Load of Old Blarney Ireland at a Glance 202 220 The Craic 203 Famous People 224 No ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ 204 Places of Interest 226 Truth, Lies and Embroidery 205 Culture Quiz 229 Tenses 207 Culture Quiz 229 Gaelic 208 Do’s and Don’ts 234 The North by Any Other Name 212 Glossary 236 Accents 213 Resource Guide 242 Further Reading 250 Chapter 9 About the Author 261 Doing Business 214 Index 262 Business Etiquette 215 The Workplace Environment 216 Socialising with Colleagues 218 PREFACE vi The Irish people have spread themselves in great numbers across the world over the years and in doing so, a strong impression of what it means to be Irish has developed. Many of the stereotypes which are connected to Ireland and her people are the product of a view of the Irish as immigrants, or else of a romantic notion of the ‘Emerald Isle’. On visiting and settling in Ireland, you will fi nd that many of these stereotypes are misplaced but often that they are borne of a certain truth, which you may at the time suspect the Irish are keen to nurture. Many of the idiosyncrasies of Irish life are at the root of the culture shock suffered by the newly arrived and it is learning to become a part of the Irish culture that offers the most rewarding challenge. In recent years the ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland have largely overshadowed perceptions of the country as a whole and this, thankfully, is now showing positive signs of changing. The 1998 Good Friday Agreement promised a new beginning for the island of Ireland and in late 1999, after much brinkmanship on both sides, a devolved power- sharing government was formed with David Trimble as its First Minister, Seamus Mallon as deputy and Martin McGuinness as Minister for Education. Hardline elements on both sides of the political equation continue to bedevil the search for an equitable peace but it looks like thirty years of violent confl ict are coming to an end. Ireland is a land steeped in history and tradition and these elements shape the lives of the Irish. Culture Shock! Ireland will give you an ins ight into the historical and political context in which modern Ireland exists, as well as practical advice on how to operate successfully in everyday situations. AN IRISH BLESSING vii May the road rise to meet you May the wind be always at your back May the sun shine warm upon your face May the rains fall soft upon your fi elds And, when we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand. MAP OF IRELAND viii NORTH CHANNEL NORTHERN IRELAND BELFAST N A E C O C TI N A L T A IRISH DUBLIN REPUBLIC SEA OF IRELAND Ireland is the westernmost region of Europe and is comprised of 32 counties—six of which are ruled by Britain and are referred to as Northern Ireland. The other 26 form the Republic of Ireland which is politically autonomous. FIRST IMPRESSIONS CHAPTER 1 ‘It is only shallow people who do not judge by appearances.’ —Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray