why do the Irish dislike the English so much ? do the Scot's fall into the same category?

Question

look, i am a yank. I do know the history. I have read. what i have read is not live-ing it. every person has there own history. whether it. be there own or there ancester's. so i know what i am asking is a slap in the face. But how do i sak without insulting everyone that has a personal happening?

Well David O, u seem to have the answer's. we both seem to have the same problem. u the english, me the u.s. gorvernment.

Answer 1

wow, where do you start? well firstly, lots of irish and english people get on fine we have lots in common and as one of your answers said already we have a very similar sense of humour and we watch lots of the same tv, sports etc. however there are lots of historical reasons why we dislike some elements in english society, you could start with the anglo-norman invasion of ireland in the 12th century and the continued, constant aggression that england has shown towards ireland ever since. there have been constant attempts to dominate ireland and to make ireland 'british' and, unsurprisingly, a constant resistance by the irish to maintain their right to be free and independent of britain as they were before. fair enough, you might say, but this is history so why do we still have this grudge against them? well unfortunately many many people in england still have a nauseatingly superior attitude towards ireland and the irish and many of them are shockingly ignorant of the country's culture and history. i speak from experience as an irishman who has lived in england for years, i am constantly astounded by the level of ignorance the english have about ireland, and their attitude that the irish are inferior and stupid. you only have to look at some of the answers that have already been posted to your question to see examples of this, we have one answer that says that we have "an inferiority complex" or private the nazi who says "They look for someone to blame for the own short comings and failure to progress. " or even the ignorance of wolf who thinks we are " all part of the "British Empire". " the fact is that in 80 years since the republic of ireland achieved independence from britain we have raced ahead of them economically, we are better educated, a higher percentage of us go to university than in england, we have a higher per-capita income, lower crime rates, lower unemployment, higher literacy levels, higher job satisfaction
etc. etc. etc. but a great majority of the english are completely unaware or indifferent to all of this and don't view us as equals but as ignorant, inferior bogmen. wouldn't that piss you off? and yes the scots (and the welsh) do fall into the same category for all the same reasons.
ps- 'private' the nazi; you are one stupid f****r!

Answer 2

Oh Please....What's up pet.


Dave O I think folk get confused when talking about the English as the English were in fact the invaders and the British were the folk alread occupying from the North East of England down to the home counties. The Welsh were in fact the orginal dwellers who fled when the Romans invaded. Also many people are not aware that the Irish also invaded which was once Britain, so the English are really a hugh mixture of cultures so is there any wonder that there is such a diversity of ways and feelings that are inbred.

I agree with you that there is a great deal of ignorance out there, however, is there any wonder as all the English have known is war upon war upon war and many not of their making so give them a break will you and if you want to blame anyone for their attitude blame the those Norman invaders. The French....


And remember whilst the Irish have done (hats off to you not being patronising) very well in education and wealth per head of capita, in the Uk as a whole we have more people and therefore the resources are stretched to the limit.

Just thank your lucky stars your island is not falling into an abiss otherwise you may have to change your tune as well.

Answer 3

The Irish like the English (OK, they want Ireland reunited but you can't blame them for that) & vice versa . The Scots & Irish get on fine, too. The Scots do sometimes like to have a go at the English, still. I suppose its ambivalence about historically having the UK run from London.

Answer 4

the majority of Irish quite like the English as we have the same type of humour and we feel more akin to the English than the Welsh or Scots.

Answer 5

It might be something to do with the arrogance of the English. They seem to bad mouth Scots, Irish and Welsh at every opportunity. Is it any wonder that they are disliked as a nation. They interfere in the running of other countries and impose their standards and culture. I heard a couple of Englishmen saying that Scotland should be cut adrift cause it costs too much and that they would save 5p in the pound on tax if they got rid of the liability!!! Don't these guys know that a great deal of UK wealth comes form oil and gas, both of which are supplied from Scottish offshore fields!

I have kicked away my soapbox and taken the "British" tablet....I am OK now

Answer 6

Paddy the Cork man joined this site and asked questions 'till his free points ran out.

Answer 7

Essentially it's racism, in varying degrees. but it shouldn't be generalised as it is an individual thing. The Irish people as a whole are not racist, Irish individuals may be racist.

Answer 8

Because England came in and took over the country and treated them like dog poo.

First Night!!!! ON the first night of your wedding the English lord in your town or whatever got to bed your wife first!!!!

Irish protest for equality and England guns them down in the street and then cry when the IRA is formed to battle them.

Read history.

Answer 9

I would just like to commed Dave Os answer, couldn't have put it better.

Answer 10

Because England has occupied part of Ireland for hundreds of years. As for Wales and Scotland I don't know if the same hatred applies, but they are all part of the "British Empire".