Ireland
What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Ireland?
We asked people in Ireland if they could share any humorous cultural blunders they commited. For new expats, keep in mind that these incidents are an inevitable part of expat life. Learning to laugh about them is the key!...
"I kept referring to my kids trousers as "pants" which would be normal in Canadian culture. My friend took me aside and told me I had to stop because "pants" here means underwear!!! Oh and once my son was asked to wear his boots to his gaelic football practice - I sent him in rubber boots not realizing they meant cleats! Fortunately my kids are very forgiving :)," said a member in South County Dublin, Ireland.
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"I called and initiated a pollution investigation when I found out the development I was living in was polluting a stream at the edge of our development. They had a "temporary" sewage disposal plant with a expired operating permit and dumping partially treated sewage into this brook. That brook ran for a couple of miles through 2 dairy farms and milk cows drank out of it. It eventually ended up in a river where Salmon and trout live. What I did not know was most people in Ireland will not report illegal activity unless it effects their own bottom line. It goes back to the time when the British were in charge and if anyone reported anything, they could end up being penalized. BTW: It cost the owners 120,000 Euros to correct the problem. They knew about it, but were hoping to fill the place with renters before they fixed it. They were happy when I did not renew my lease. There were a few other problems I made them correct. Irish people, especially older ones tend not to complain," remarked another expat who made the move to Enniscorthy, Ireland.
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Other Questions:
- What do I need to know before retiring in Ireland?
- How do I meet people in Ireland?
- What is life like in Ireland?
- Is there a lot of crime in Ireland?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Ireland accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Ireland like?
- Is the cost of living in Ireland high?
- What advice do you have for expats having a baby in Ireland?
- What are healthcare services like in Ireland?
- Is the cost of living in Ireland high?
- What type of recreational facilities are in Ireland?
- What is the weather like in Ireland?
- Are there good restaurants in Ireland?
- Where will I buy groceries and do other shopping in Ireland?
- What are the visa & residency requirements in Ireland?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Ireland?
- What do I need to know when buying property in Ireland?
- Are foreigners allowed to own property in Ireland?
- What appliances are typically included in a rental?
What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Ireland?
If you live in Ireland, newcomers to Ireland would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
