Does anybody get tired of the Irish stereotyping on St Patricks Day?

Question

This question is mainly for those who are Irish or of Irish descent. Do you ever get tired of the phrase "Everybody's Irish on St Patrick's Day," and feel your culture being belittled because of it? Or it really don't matter either way? What do you think of American celebration of the holiday?

I'm have very little Irish in me (and I'm not offended by the celebration at all). I"m actually Puerto Rican/Italian-Irish, but I'm just curious as to the response.

Answer 1

lighten up? american culture makes a joke out of irish culture and it is okay. imagine if it were any other culture. st patrick's day is more like halloween now than a holy day that is really is. did anyone forget it is a catholic holiday? in ireland many people actually go to mass and pray. in the u.s. people eat green bagels. people don't even know what they are celebrating but hey if it sells beer then who cares. it just perpetuates the stereotypes of all irish as alcoholics. this has always bothered me. i think cinco de mayo is on the vberge of being the next victim. none of my mexican friends even celebrate it but the bars around here sure do. go figure...

Answer 2

I am half Irish and half English and have always been proud of my heritage. I am proud that others would choose a day to celebrate the Irish heritage, whether they take it seriously or not, it's still a good thing. In a similar line, I am also proud that any schools would use the Irish as their 'mascot'. There are a couple of high schools in this area known as the Irish and of course I am a huge Notre Dame fan. Any schools changing their mascots from American Indians for politically correct reasons, feel free to become Irish!

Answer 3

No I dont get offended.I'm a quarter Irish,off spring of the Gallagher clan from the county Cork,immigratnts from the famine,I do get disgusted that nobody sees the contributions the Irish have given to us Americans,in song and back breaking labor.When I'm approached about racism and suffering,I say I'm part Irish.Most people dont understand,that my great gradfathers family and the times he lived in,to be Irish was a dirty thing,second class citizens,much like the Mexicans feel today(and they dont even know that a lot of Irish moved and became Mexican citizens,because it was not a bad thing to be Irish and Catholic,where the baptists in America,persecuted Irish for those two things

Answer 4

The Irish are not as sensitive as some other ethnicity's when it comes to stereotyping. We rose up from being of less value than slaves to controlling the major arms of government in most large cities.
As far as everyone being Irish on St. Patricks Day I say God bless them for having aspirations.

Answer 5

While some may over do it a bit, I think its great. I believe that it gives some that might curious and that are willing to do a little digging a chance to learn about the good man this day is named for. It also lets them learn a little bit about one of the most interesting and beautiful countries on the Earth. And if I'm listenin' to the part of me that is Irish, its saying that it just goes to prove that everyone wants to BE Irish. Slainte!

Answer 6

well many people are irish, only their irish blood is so thin, its like they arn't even irish. what really annoys me is when their great-great grandparents or something are irish, so when st. patricks day comes along, they shout out to everyone, "HEY IM IRISH!" even when they know nothing of their heratige, and their irish blood is so thin, is basically not even there.

but what REALLY annoys me, is that on St. Patricks day, lots of americans wear the 4-leaf clover around, saying "Hey look at me. Im Irish"
..wow. you're really retarded. the four leaf clover is an american thing, a "luck" thing; since luck is usually ossioated with Ireland, people think that represents Ireland. But it doesn't.
the THREE leaf clover represents Ireland.

and the "Feeling Lucky" t-shirts are annoying too... there's a four leaf clover on it, and luck? Pssssh, the irish are born with luck.

your just silly.
dont try to seem irish just because it's st patricks day.
and please get to know more about the culture before st. patricks day comes (which people think "everyones irish on st. patricks day") you just seem like a fool to people who are actually irish.

thanks :)

Answer 7

I think you can still have your own inner pride, in knowing that you are truly Irish while so many others are pretenders. Also, it is a compliment that so many people of other nationalities WANT to be Irish and take on the persona, even if they over exaggerate and get it wrong a lot of the time.

Answer 8

God it can be very offending. Its mostly Americans, they think they know Ireland and they all love wanting to be Irish but they dont know a thing ;
+ Not all Irish drink, never mind being drunks!
+ We dont survive on patatoes/corned beef and cabbage - Most people have never even tasted it!!
+ Everyone doesnt wear green/
+ We're not all small, happy and wearing green!
+ It isn't a country full of feilds and farmers - we are actually a richer country than Ameriaca, the 3rd richest in europe!
+ we dont speek in riddles!

Its actually very anoying, and racist!

Answer 9

Most people will welcome ANY excuse to celebrate. I'll bet that you could start a national wino's day and be successful. As for stereotypes, I don't think I've ever heard of any negative ones for Irish peoples. And if you're Irish, don't you feel even the least bit flattered that others would celebrate your heritage?

Answer 10

I think it's great that everyone comes together to celebrate!I am 100% Irish,and most of my friends are Irish,some are not,but either way we all go out together and party it up!!