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The Xenophobe's Guide to the Irish by Frank McNally
| The couth truth | | A popular perception of the Irish is that they're all fiery, freckle-faced
red-heads who'll start a fight at the slightest offence (e.g., being called 'British').
The bit about the freckles is accurate enough, but the typical Irish person has
brown hair and blue eyes. And while they may be descended from the Celts, a fearless
people whose warriors were known to run naked into battle, most modern-day Irish
people would think twice before running naked into the bathroom. |
| Avoid the void | There's
no use denying it, Irish people talk a lot. They don't know why. It just seems
to pour out of them. Maybe it's something to do with living on a lonely mist-covered
island on the western fringe of Europe. Whatever the reason, they just can't abide
silence. It's a vacuum that must be filled. |
| The write stuff | | The
Irish devotion to literature is almost a character weakness. It is said that every
Irish person has a book inside him or her. Very few of them can be persuaded to
leave it there. |
| From gags to riches | The
myth of the thick Paddy - once especially popular in Britain - has waned in recent
years. But the stereotype of the Irish as a charming-yet-feckless people lingers.
They are seen as being ruled by their emotions, incapable of organisation, and
uninterested in material things. This has become very useful in business negotiations.
The ability to pose as hopeless romantics with no concern for money has been a
big factor in making Ireland one of the richest countries in the world. |
| The publisher
would welcome readers comments on this title when published. |
| |
| Xenophobe's
Guides make great gifts for friends travelling abroad. |
| |
| Character,
behaviour, language, humour, culture, literature, food, sport, obsession (the
weather), attitudes and values (in respect of sex, religion, licensing law, mothers
and death), customs, government, business – it's all here .... |
| Books Ireland |
| An
enlightened new series, good natured, witty and useful. The Xenophobe's Guides
to different nations deserves a real cheer. |
| The European |
Nationalism
and Identity
Character
Behaviour
Language
Conversation
Attitudes
and Values
Sport
Culture
Literature
Food
Customs
Sense of
Humour
Systems
Business
Government
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| 
Author: Frank
McNally
Format: 96
pages, pb
Published: 29 April 2008
NEW EDITION
Price: £4.99
ISBN-13:
978-1-906042-37-0
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