About this video

• Video Title: Irish Culture and Customs | Social Etiquette
• Channel: Wolfe Momma
• Speakers: Wolfe Momma
• Duration: 00:11:56

Overview

This video provides a comprehensive guide to Irish social etiquette and customs. The presenter explains various aspects of Irish culture, from common social interactions like going for a "pint" and understanding rounds, to more nuanced behaviors such as tipping, punctuality, and polite phrases. The video also covers dining etiquette, the significance of "sorry" and "go on," greetings, common slang, and farewells, offering practical advice for those visiting or interacting with people from Ireland.

Key takeaways

• Going for a Pint & Rounds: Socializing often occurs in pubs. "Going for a pint" implies multiple drinks, and "going for a few pints" means an all-night event. It's customary to buy rounds, meaning each person takes a turn buying drinks for the group. Not participating in rounds when included is considered poor etiquette.
• Tipping: Tipping in Ireland is discretionary and seen as a bonus for good service. It's common in restaurants (10-15%) and taxis, with smaller tips for food delivery. Tipping in hotels is usually reserved for exceptional service.
• Punctuality: Irish people are generally more relaxed about timekeeping. Running late for social gatherings is common and not usually a major issue.
• Please & Thank You: Politeness is important, with "please" and "thank you" used frequently. A particularly important custom is thanking the bus driver upon exiting the bus.
• Slagging: This involves teasing or making fun of friends in a loving, fun way, indicating closeness in friendship.
• Tea: Offering tea is a significant gesture of hospitality and comfort in Ireland, often offered to guests, workers, or those receiving bad news.
• Dining Etiquette: Standard Western table manners apply, such as waiting for everyone to be served before eating, not chewing with an open mouth, and not blowing your nose at the table.
• "Sorry" and "Go On": "Sorry" can mean "excuse me" and isn't always an apology. "Go on" is part of a custom where an initial refusal is expected before accepting an offer, after the offerer insists.
• Queuing: Queuing is generally observed in Ireland for services, except in pubs where a more informal system exists with an unwritten rule about serving those who were at the bar first.
• Greetings & "How Are You": Greetings range from handshakes for first meetings to hugs and kisses on the cheek for friends. "How are you" (or "Howaye" regionally) is often a simple greeting, not a request for a detailed answer; a simple "grand" or "howaye" back is a typical response.
• Swearing: Irish people tend to swear frequently in everyday conversation, often without considering it offensive. It's usually a sign of passion or excitement, not rudeness.
• Farewells ("Bye Bye Bye"): Goodbyes can be prolonged, often involving multiple "bye"s and pre-departure conversations.
• Waving at Strangers: In rural areas, it's customary to wave at passing drivers, often with a gesture from the steering wheel. This is a friendly acknowledgment.
• Ending Conversations: A polite way to end a conversation is by saying, "I'll let you go," which signals the speaker needs to leave.

About this video

• Video Title: Irish Culture and Customs | Social Etiquette
• Channel: Wolfe Momma
• Speakers: Wolfe Momma
• Duration: 00:11:56

Overview

This video delves into various aspects of Irish social etiquette and customs. The presenter shares insights on common social interactions, politeness, dining, greetings, and farewells, aiming to help viewers understand and navigate Irish social norms.

Key takeaways

• Pub Culture & Rounds: Socializing often happens in pubs, and "going for a pint" implies more than one drink. Buying "rounds" (taking turns buying for the group) is customary, and it's considered poor etiquette to accept a drink from a round without contributing.
• Tipping Culture: Tipping is discretionary and a bonus for good service, common in restaurants and taxis (10-15%), less so in hotels unless service is exceptional.
• Punctuality: Irish people tend to have a more relaxed approach to timekeeping, with lateness for social events being quite common.
• Politeness & Gratitude: "Please" and "thank you" are used frequently. A notable custom is thanking the bus driver upon exiting.
• "Slagging": This is a form of friendly teasing among friends, where the "meanness" of the teasing reflects the closeness of the friendship.
• Significance of Tea: Offering tea is a common gesture of hospitality, comfort, and problem-solving in Irish culture.
• Dining Etiquette: Standard Western table manners are expected, such as waiting for everyone to be served, not chewing with an open mouth, and not blowing one's nose at the table.
• "Sorry" as a Greeting: In Ireland, "sorry" can also be used as a way to get attention or mean "excuse me," depending on the tone.
• Queuing: Lining up for service is generally expected and followed, with the exception of pubs where it's more of a scramble, though an unwritten rule about serving those who arrived first still applies.
• "Go On" Custom: When offered something, the initial refusal is customary, and one should wait for the offerer to insist ("go on") before accepting.
• Greetings: Handshakes are common for first meetings, while friends might exchange hugs or kisses on the cheek. Physical contact is generally less pronounced due to a cultural reserve regarding public displays of affection.
• "How Are You" Greeting: The phrase "How are you" (or "Howaye" in some regions) is often used as a standard greeting rather than a genuine inquiry into one's well-being. Typical responses are "grand" or simply returning the greeting.
• Swearing: Swearing is common in everyday Irish conversation and is often not perceived as rude but rather as an expression of passion or excitement.
• Farewells: Goodbyes can be lengthy and involve multiple exchanges, sometimes extending over 10-15 minutes before the actual departure.
• Waving at Strangers: In rural areas, it's customary for drivers to wave at each other as a friendly acknowledgment.
• Ending Conversations: A polite way to conclude a conversation is by saying, "I'll let you go," indicating that the speaker needs to leave.

Ask me anything about this video

1. What are the nuances of using "sorry" in Irish social interactions?
2. How does the custom of saying "go on" work when receiving an offer in Ireland?
3. What are the typical ways Irish people greet each other, depending on their relationship?
4. How is swearing perceived and used in everyday Irish conversation?
5. Turn this video into a tweet...

Table [only when needed]

Cultural Aspect	Description
Pub Culture	Central to socializing, involves rounds and multiple drinks.
Tipping	Discretionary, bonus for good service, varies by location.
Punctuality	Relaxed attitude towards time, lateness is common.
Politeness	Frequent use of "please" and "thank you," especially to bus drivers.
Slagging	Friendly teasing as a sign of close friendship.
Tea	Gesture of hospitality, comfort, and problem-solving.
Dining Etiquette	Standard Western manners, with specific emphasis on not blowing nose at the table.
"Sorry" Usage	Can mean "excuse me" or be a polite way to get attention.
Queuing	Observed in most service situations, less formal in pubs.
"Go On" Custom	Involves a polite initial refusal before accepting an offer.
Greetings	Varies from handshakes to hugs, with a general reserve in public displays of affection.
"How Are You"	Often a greeting, not a deep inquiry; simple responses are typical.
Swearing	Common and often not seen as rude, used to express passion.
Farewells	Can be lengthy and involve multiple "bye"s.
Waving at Strangers	Common in rural areas as a friendly gesture.
Ending Conversations	Polite phrases like "I'll let you go" are used.