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The Xenophobe's Guide to the
Irish
by Frank McNally
The
Xenophobe's Guide to the Irish
is now available on Kindle
CLICK HERE FOR KINDLE
STORE UK
CLICK HERE FOR
KINDLE STORE USA
| 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 |
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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.
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| 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 |
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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.
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| The publisher would welcome
readers comments on this title when published. |
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| Xenophobe's Guides make great
gifts for friends travelling abroad. |
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| 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 .... |
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Books Ireland
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| An enlightened new
series, good natured, witty and useful. The
Xenophobe's Guides to different nations deserves
a real cheer. |
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The European
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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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