What is it with the Irish and drink?

Question

Every bloody irish guy i know drinks alcohol to an excessive degree. is it in their genes or something?

i do get out much as a matter of fact!!! I 'm posting this question because my mum got involved with an irish man, and it destroyed my relationship with her because of his drink and almost destroyed my education and future, so i had to be taken by my dad, so DON'T GET RUDE WITH ME!!

Answer 1

Hey, sorry you've had this problem.
I'm Irish and live in England. I like a drink, but hope I'm not excessive. What I noticed many years ago when I first moved to London was that (in general .terms) an Irish man and an English man drink approx the same quantity over a week --- but there is a difference :- the English man will drink, say. 2 drinks EVERY day, the Irish man on the other hand will drink 7 drinks on a Friday and another 7 drinks on a Saturday; result = the same.

Answer 2

What a ridiculously anachronistic, stereotypical & racist question! I'm sorry for the troubles you've had, but it helps nobody to make statements like yours. What if it had been a Polish man? Or an African? Would you make similar statements, or is it merely latent anti-Irishness?

There is, in fact, a society in Ireland called the 'Pioneers', which foreswears alcohol & there are, of course, people in every walk of life from every background with a drink problem, just as there are plenty in Ireland & elsewhere who can enjoy alcohol in a sociable & sensible manner.

Answer 3

Well to a point it is a cultural thing. A lot of the social scene is based around the pub and going out. I stayed with Belgians in Ireland and I am Irish and on our first night they explained how the maintain their manner when they go out whereas most in Ireland end up stumbling home hammered. At the night of the night though they were a lot worse off so I think it is a stereotype as well as having an element of truth.

Answer 4

Irish men are the salt of the earth (after the Scottish)!! I suppose you think they drink too much also??
You just have a 'down' on Irishmen because of your unfortunate experience with one.
I'm not sure what response you are looking for here but whatever it is your not going to get a lot of support, or sympathy, your in the wrong slot for that sort of thing.
But it's great to put pen to paper and get it off your chest isn't it??
A little rant and rave is good for you, any chance of sending me a few dollars for a couple of pints??

Answer 5

I think it has to do with the weather. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a popular phrase these days and our weather is pretty defective! There's an especially high level of depression amongst men in Ireland, which may be either the cause or the effect of high alcohal consumption or the cause... I think most probably the effect. But you should be more considerate when you brand an entire nation like that... not very fair...

Answer 6

here's my logic.. my friend who's irish tells me that they are mad on potatoes and i've also been told that vodka is made from potatoes (?!) don't quote me on that one.. anyway vodka is alcohol and thats prob enough to get the ball rolling he he he. on a serious note i really like the irish they're great fun on the whole and love to have a good time and i think thats where the drinking comes from. Not all of them will be the same hun

Answer 7

From what I understand, alot of the heavy drinking culture came from the Vikings that continuously invaded Ireland until the days of Brian Boru (who united most of Ireland). The drinking heavily every night around the campfire thing stuck, though, and eventually evolved into today's pub drinking culture.

Answer 8

I'm irish and I like to drink and party!
But in the case of the irish man you speak of-
That is only one irish person not all of them!

Answer 9

Everyone doesn't know that. That is ridiculous and untrue. You sound like you could be racist very easily.....get a grip and realize that drinking is a worldwide issue of all backgrounds, the Irish being one 1 in a million........

Answer 10

First off, you are absolutely correct in your observation and don't let these punters who can't face reality tell you otherwise. Irish drink like they do for good reason; have you ever seen them dance sober? THEY DON'T EVEN MOVE THEIR BLEEDIN' ARMS OR ANYTHING! That's not dancing! Of COURSE they'd get drunk watching that nonsense, and, hopefully, the dancers would get drunk, too and loosen up a bit.