Ireland is one of the most sought tourist destinations in the world. The country is endowed with beautiful sceneries, welcoming and warm local people, and breathtaking features that makes it the number one choice for tourists across the world.
When you set out a trip to a foreign land for your holidays, there are a lot of things you need to learn ranging from the climate, language, geographical topography and mobility of the region among other factors.
You will get to learn a new culture that might be different from yours the moment you land in your country of choice. It is essential to know the social norms and practices of the people in the foreign land you wish to go, especially if it is your first time.
Basic knowledge of their ‘do’s and don’t’s’ will enable you to interact freely with the locals and avoid infringing on their culture and traditions. The information provided below gives you the basic traditions in Ireland you should know before making your trip to this beautiful country.
Irish traditions that you must know before traveling to Ireland
1. Irish people value greetings
Irish people are known for their warm welcome culture towards strangers and foreigners. If it is your first time in the country, you should be ready to give a firm handshake.
Most Europeans would appreciate a kiss on their cheeks as a form of greetings. However, restrict yourself to handshake greetings since in Ireland as a kiss is meant only for close friends and relatives.
The handshake and maintaining eye contact is considered a way to show etiquette in Ireland. You should also close your conversations with a handshake. Calling a person with their first name is also considered having etiquette in Ireland.
2. Irish People are welcoming and they treasure friendliness
The locals in Ireland are very social and engage in lengthy conversations even with strangers. If it is your first time in Ireland do not get carried away when you get involved in a chat with Irish people.
Talk about positive things in Ireland, avoid criticism and political conversations. Learn to interact with everyone when you land in the country. You should also speak in soft tones as arguing on top of one’s voice is considered morally unacceptable.
3. Weather Discussions Take Center Stage
Irish people consider weather forecast part of their life, and thus it is their tradition to discuss it whenever they meet. The local people value conversations touching on the weather patterns and the possibility of getting the rain.
Foreigners in Ireland should feel free to talk about the weather changes when in the company of the locals.
4. The Tipping Practices
Giving of tips in Ireland is considered a polite way of acknowledging the service providers for their exemplary services. People living in Ireland for their first time may find themselves confused on the issue of tipping if they do not have the right information.
It is the tradition of the Irish people to recognize a job well done, or quality service provided through giving of tips to the service providers or job performers. In the hotel industry most restaurants will apply a service charge to represent the tip, but if the service was well administered, a fifteen percent tip is acceptable.
The drivers or tour guides will be given their tips upon the end of the journey to show appreciation for the service provided.
Tipping in Pubs
The staff tasked with serving customers on tables are given the tips to show appreciation. The barkeepers situated at the counters do not expect to be tipped. If you leave the excess amount over the counter, the bar attendant at the desk will return the excess amount.
If you do not wish to give a tip one is required to provide an amount approximately equal to the value of the drinks consumed.
A tip of about ten to fifteen percent is considered a reasonable amount for appreciation. The ordering and payment of the glasses should go hand in hand. Tab system does not exist in Irish bars.
5. The Use of Expressions and Sayings
The other tradition in Ireland is the usage of many phrases and sayings in people’s daily activities. You need to get prepared to hear many sayings that facilitate the locals’ way of associating with one another.
Some of these expressions include mind yourself, acting the maggot, I am grand and many more. The meaning of the expressions differs from the common usage in the English dictionary.
Learn a few of them and enjoy as you get to know their meaning when you go to Ireland. Learn also the phrases considered inappropriate to use and avoid them. Some of these inappropriate phrases include top of the morning, may the road rise to meet you among others. The Irish people will often say the Lord’s name in certain situations and their daily conversations. Do not be too quick to judge them as they do not do it as blasphemy.
6. Get ready for criticism/ slag
Slagging is one part of the Irish culture. Do not get offended when in a company of people you get criticized or people start making fun of you. Irish people will make jokes on you which you may find unethical but do not take it personally.
7. Smoking in public places
Another tradition is being mindful of other people’s health. Foreign tourists considering touring Ireland should know that smoking in a public enclosed space is illegal. Smokers are advised to be aware of where the smoke goes and the health of others. Most of the pubs in Ireland have a designated place for smoking.
8. Taking deep breaths when concurring with an argument
Irish locals will inhale many times when showing support for a discussion. If you find yourself in their company as a first timer do not tend to think they have problems with their breathing systems.
9. Show goodwill in pubs
When in a company of friends in Ireland, one way to demonstrate etiquette is ordering a drink for everyone in your company. All the friends in that group will also get their turn and reciprocate in the same way. Failing to take turns in the pub is considered being rude and unfit for social interactions.
If you do not want to take lots of drinks, you should strive to ensure that you are the first to make the order for your friends. When you are through, and another person takes their turn you can respond by saying` thank you are satisfied.’
10. A unique way of ending conversations on the phone
Irish people value conversations a lot. When conversing on mobile phones, it is a socially an accepted practice to end the conversation by saying ‘bye’ some times before hanging up. The multiple saying of the word ‘bye’ is regarded as etiquette in phone communication.
11. Giving of gifts and other tokens
Awards and other small tokens are usually presented when you visit a friend in their home in Ireland. The gifts serve as appreciation and show that you value the friendship.
Some of the most regarded gifts when visiting a friend’s house include chocolate roses or a bottle of cabernet among other things. The locals will value any small contribution from a foreigner as it is their tradition to visit people’s places carrying items.
12. Show politeness while driving through showing a finger twitch
If you are driving in Ireland at low speeds, it is crucial to recognize other drivers on the road by raising your hand or by finger twitching.
You do not necessarily have to know the driver for you to greet them. The other driver will also respond in the same manner.
13. Respect for people’s personal space
In Ireland, people value their own space a lot, especially when in public. You should know to respect other people’s personal space before you land in Ireland. Public displays of affection in public should be avoided as it is regarded unethical in this country.
14. Keep off religious and political topics
Irish people like to express their opinions and are very sociable. However, certain topics such as religion and politics are regarded as sensitive and should be avoided when initiating a conversation with them. Stick to other conversations unless the Irish local brings the topic first.
Discussing their political history may remind them of the past invasions which may not be considered morally upright to continue with such conversations. Irish people value their religious matters a lot.
When passing near a religious building or a graveyard they will make the sign of the cross. Funerals are public functions, and people walk behind the hearse as it makes its way to the church or the graveyard.
It is a tradition of the people walking in the street or driving to stand when the funeral procession is underway.
There is no formal way of dressing in the church. However; everybody is expected to remain quiet and respectful during the service.
15. Lighting a candle when in stress
Lighting a candle during trying moments is a tradition in Ireland. When you are stressed or worried, you should light a candle.
When in fear, lighting a candle is believed to be a comforting tradition for the locals. When anticipating for a massive interview or an important appointment several candles will get lit for you.
When you are in a problem, making tea is also regarded as one way of finding a solution to the problem. If you hear such names ignore and do not respond.