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A Beginner’s Guide to Irish Dating Culture.
If you’re a foreigner traveling or working in Ireland, you might have noticed some peculiarities in the way our Irish friends date. In this post, we’ll give you a beginner’s guide to Irish dating culture so you can be prepared for your next romantic encounter with an Irish person!
The first thing to know about Irish dating culture is that it’s not as formal as other European cultures. For example, in France or Spain, it would be very unusual for a couple to meet and go on a date without previously having been introduced by mutual friends.
However, in Ireland, it’s perfectly normal for couples to meet through friends or even at the pub! The second thing to know about Irish dating culture is that they love to talk. A lot.
On a first date, it’s not uncommon for an Irish person to talk non-stop for hours without taking a breath!
This can be daunting for foreigners who are used to a more formal conversation but try not to be too put off, they’re just trying to get to know you! After all, conversation is one of the great joys of life!
So there you have it. A quick beginner’s guide to Irish dating culture! Remember, the next time you’re on a date with an Irish person, that they love to talk (a lot!) and that they’re not as formal as other European cultures.
And most importantly, enjoy yourself! Dating should be fun, no matter what your cultural background is! Speaking of which, let’s get an American perspective on dating in the Emerald Isle.
Irish Dating Culture: An American Perspective.
If you’re an American dating an Irishman, one of the things you’ll notice is that there are some major differences between the two cultures when it comes to dating.
In America, dating tends to be more casual and relaxed.
There’s no real pressure to settle down or be in a committed relationship; instead, people often date around and enjoy meeting new people.
The Irish approach to dating is a bit more traditional. In Ireland, people are more likely to be looking for a serious relationship from the get-go.
Here are some other differences you too will notice between American and Irish dating cultures.
Pressure to Settle Down.
As I mentioned before, in America, people tend to date around and are in no rush to settle down. That’s not the case in Ireland.
Most Irish people start thinking about marriage and family life from a very young age.
So if you’re dating an Irish person, they’re going to want to know if you’re on the same page in terms of your long-term plans.
Differences in Communication Style.
Americans tend to communicate directly, while the Irish communicate indirectly. This can sometimes create misunderstanding between an American and an Irish person when they first start dating.
For example, an American might say something like “I’m not really feeling this” when they want to break things off with someone, whereas an Irish person would be more likely to say something like “I’m just not ready for a relationship right now.
It can be helpful to keep this difference in communication style in mind so that you don’t misread each other’s signals.
Family Involvement.
Another difference between American and Irish dating culture is the level of involvement that family members have in their children’s love lives.
In America, it’s not uncommon for parents to meet their child’s significant other and approve of them before things get too serious.
In Ireland, however, it’s more common for parents NOT to meet their child’s significant other until things are already quite serious.
So if you’re dating someone from Ireland and things are going well, don’t be surprised if you meet their family a bit further down the line!
Dating in Ireland is quite different from dating in America. In general, the Irish approach is more traditional and reserved than the American approach.
There tends to be more pressure to settle down and get married quickly in Ireland than there is in America.
Additionally, communication styles can differ between Americans and Irish people, which can lead to misunderstandings.
And finally, family involvement tends to happen later on in an Irish relationship than it would in an American relationship.
All of these differences make dating in Ireland an interesting and unique experience! Now, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of dating an Irishman.
The Pros and Cons of Dating an Irishman.
Ah, the luck of the Irish! Naturally, when one thinks of Ireland, one thinks of leprechauns, shamrocks, and pots of gold.
And when one thinks of dating an Irishman, one thinks of passionate rants about politics, late nights at the pub, and fiery redheads.
While all these things may be true to some extent (except for the leprechauns), there is a lot more to dating an Irishman than meets the eye. Here are some pros and cons to help you decide whether or not you should take a chance on that green-eyed cutie from Dublin.
Pros.
1. They know how to have a good time. Irishmen know how to have fun and enjoy life. If you’re looking for a partner who is up for a good time, an Irishman is your man. From pubs to festivals to sports – they know how to let loose and enjoy themselves.
2. They’re great conversationalists. Having an intellectual conversation is my favorite thing in the world, and Irishmen definitely know how to hold their own in this department. They’re witty, sharp, and will keep you entertained for hours on end.
3. They’re charming as hell. It’s that accent! There’s just something about it that makes them irresistible. Add in their natural charm and you’ve got a recipe for disaster…or a recipe for falling head over heels in love, whichever way you want to look at it.
Cons.
1. They can be moody AF. Irishmen are known for their quick tempers and fiery dispositions. If you’re looking for a calm and collected partner, an Irishman is probably not the right choice for you. Just be prepared for some arguing (and maybe even some throwing of things) if you do decide to go down this road.
2. They love their drink…a little too much perhaps? Let’s be honest – drinking is a national pastime in Ireland (just look at St Patrick’s Day). So if you’re not a big drinker yourself, dating an Irishman might not be the best idea. Just be prepared for whiskey sours at 10 am on Sundays and constant talk of “the craic”.
3. They’re extremely protective of their families and friends. A lot of people see this as a good thing, after all, who doesn’t want a partner who will stick up for them? But sometimes it can be a bit much… Like when your new boyfriend gets into a fistfight with your ex because he said something derogatory about your family.*shrug* It happens…
Conclusion.
Overall, we would say that the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to dating an Irishman. Yes, they can be moody and yes, they might drink a bit too much but they’re also charming as hell and great conversationalists.
So if you’re feeling lucky, go ahead and take a chance on that Emerald Isle cutie, it just might be the best decision you ever make!