I'm Irish, and I don't really like St. Patrick's day

[Patiod]

It sucks that it's turned into a drink-til-you-puke festival.

I've been to celebrations at the local Irish Club where there's step dancing and jigs and reels, and great food, and drink in moderation. No green beer, no one acting like an ass on purpose. No face-painting, no crass tee-shirts. In fact, some of the older ladies wore gowns.

That's the way St. Patrick's Day should be celebrated (well, except that unbeknownst to most of us, the money raised went to the IRA - that part shouldn't be duplicated)

[tigereye]

1. yeah the center I belong too has the parade

mass and then the party. And no green beer, lots of Guiness.

It's a religious holiday in Ireland and the bars are closed.

[obreaslan]

2. I agree....

It's a shame what St. Patrick's day has become. I don't even go out to celebrate anymore. It's just too crazy sometimes.

Well, have a happy one anyway. :hi:

[anarch]

3. yeah...I wish I could find a link to the Onion article from a few years

back, titled "Irish Americans Gear Up for 'The Reinforcin' O' The Stereotypes'" or something like that.

I did find the photo that went with the article:



I will so not be going near any bar tonight.

[ghostsofgiants]

9. I've actually taken to calling it Irish Stereotype Day.

I'm Irish, I don't drink, and aside from the green bracelet I wear every day, I'm not wearing green. No one's gettin' me Lucky Charms though.

[SteppingRazor]

4. I go to an Irish pub for St. Pat's...

I'm of 100% Irish decent myself, and I'm proud to say the place I go has no green beer, no face-painting, etc... but plenty of great music, lots of Guinness, and, well, some money's probably going to the IRA. :evilgrin:

[Redstone]

5. Ever since I stopped playing Irish music, I haven't been to a bar on

St Pat's day. Just not worth the aggro if you're not getting paid to be there.

Redstone

[genie_weenie]

6. I'm surprised no one's done the "I'm Patrick, and I

don't really like Irish Dais" thread on the Lounge yet... :evilgrin:

anarch, Props for the "reinforcing of the stereotypes" rememberance...

[GalleryGod]

7. I Find drunken people a pretty pathetic bunch on NON holidaze

let alone on "Green Beer Night at the Vomitorium"

[politicat]

8. Agreed...

I'm fifth generation, and the fact that the traditions are dying bothers me. I'd be happy to go to a bar that played Chieftains, U2 and Pogues - I'm not going to insist on the fiddle and pipes.

But the drunken debauch bothers me. Something like half of the population of Ireland and a quarter of those of Irish descent in the US either lack the enzyme to effectively process alcohol, or are predisposed to alcoholism. Associating booze and Irishness just adds to that myth.

As for the money going to the IRA... well... *sigh*

[azmouse]

10. I agree.

I like the day to celebrate my Irish roots but I don't like the stereotypes. I have friends who were born and raised in Ireland and while they do like to drink it doesn't get out of hand. They are truly some of the nicest people I've ever met.

[DS1]

11. I'd find it rather insulting if I were Irish