A Brief Note on Cultural Differences

In the entry that I just posted about the inauguration, I made a comment about how I received my first positive comment about being an American. I need to clarify. I was fortunate to choose a country that, culture-wise, is not extremely different from the United States. In general, the Irish like Americans (mention Boston, and any one of them will go on a rant about how they love Boston!).

BUT (there is always a but)...

there are times when I have not felt entirely comfortable being here. Regardless of whether you are talking or not, the Irish immediately know that you are an American. I have asked numerous people how they know, and they cannot explain it to me "We just know" is the common response. I have frequently heard comments mumbled on the streets about "Americans" with a negative connotation, and on one occasion, I heard someone proclaim "Those damn yanks are back." It is also not uncommon to get glares from Irish girls while walking down the streets.

I have two very different but uncomfortable situations to share:

One evening, a group of us decided to go to a pub called The Cranes because we heard that there was some good traditional Irish music there. When we arrived, we realized that we were no longer in the touristy area of Galway, but we proceeded inside anyway. As we walked in, the pub went dead silent, and all we could hear was a flute-like instrument commonly used in Irish music called a "tin whistle." The silence was deafening until whispers, snickers, and giggles filled the room. It was an incredibly embarrassing situation, and we promptly left the pub.

The other was an extremely uncomfortable situation for me. I was sitting in a class with over 200 students in it, most of which were Irish. It was a Social Psychology class, and we were discussing the difference between what we say we believe and what our actions say that we believe. To prove a point, the professor said, "Most people would agree that anyone, including tourists, should have access to our local pubs." The entire class nodded in approval. Then the professor continued by saying "But if you knew that a tourist was going to be in your favorite pub tonight, how many of you would still go?" Instantly, the entire classroom was laughing and chatting and shaking their heads in agreement that they would NOT go to that pub if they knew a traveler was going to be there. I just sat there awkwardly, as the traveler, feeling extremely uncomfortable with what just happened (especially since, as I said before, everyone around me knows that I'm American).

Don't get the wrong idea. The Irish are generally very friendly people! I have two Irish roommates who are very nice, and most Irish people I talk to are very welcoming. (In fact, as we left the cranes, a man outside told us it was a much better scene upstairs and we ended up having a fun night). Unfortunately, though, no matter where I go, I know I will hear comments about my being American. Fortunately, it is something that I am getting used to.

But on the bright side, like I mentioned in the past post, now that Barack Obama is our president, Americans are being seen in a much better light than before! These situations that I mention are nothing compared to what past Americans have experienced studying abroad.

P.S. I did get quoted! In the Irish Times. Check it out: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0121/1232474671128.html