Sneakers in Ireland???
Jun 22nd, 2007, 03:56 AM
#44
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>>>>>
Warning: Do not wear anything with a "Members Only" label...
it is so out of fashion, they will all assume you were the last member....
>>>>>>
fyi....members only is commonly worn by the hoxton hipster set in london. retro-cool, i guess.
Warning: Do not wear anything with a "Members Only" label...
it is so out of fashion, they will all assume you were the last member....
>>>>>>
fyi....members only is commonly worn by the hoxton hipster set in london. retro-cool, i guess.
Jun 22nd, 2007, 06:34 AM
#48
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I know the nice thing to say is 'wear what you like', but the truth of the matter is that many Europeans only wear athletic shoes/garb when actually exercising, while many Americans wear athletic garb exclusively. If you are truly concerned with fitting in (and I don't blame you) and still want comfort I would suggest a more European looking athletic shoe - Skechers makes them and so do most other brands - they have all the comfort features of white 'sneakers', but are usually leather (brown or black or multicoloured) and easy to pair with casual (shorts) and dressier clothes (nice jeans and blazer) so quite practical for travel.
P.S. Canadians say 'runners' too!
P.S. Canadians say 'runners' too!
Jun 22nd, 2007, 06:37 AM
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I'll be headed to Ireland in August. Being that I am a black woman, I don't think it would matter whether or not I wore white sneakers 
I'm pretty sure the people there will no without a doubt that I am a tourist.
I'm pretty sure the people there will no without a doubt that I am a tourist.
Jun 22nd, 2007, 07:33 AM
#52
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SpecialK, I am sorry to say that you are wrong. We have a number of long-term or permanently resident black people here. Most are Africans claiming political asylum. The bit I am sorry about is that the phenomenon has brought to the fore a latent racism or xenophobia among many of my compatriots.
Wear a Maple Leaf badge and we will classify you as an American tourist. Wear runners rather than sneakers and we will regard you as Irish-American.
Wear a Maple Leaf badge and we will classify you as an American tourist. Wear runners rather than sneakers and we will regard you as Irish-American.
Jun 22nd, 2007, 07:41 AM
#53
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Hold on there Padraig - you mean Canadian right? Don't scare me by letting me think that the Irish think the Maple Leaf is an American symbol!! Or are you having a (good natured) laugh at the Americans who wear Maple Leafs so as not to be thunk American?
Jun 22nd, 2007, 07:56 AM
#54
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However, Padraig, I think the Irish are, on the whole, much more accepting of others than many who live in the Irish-American enclaves here. I suspect a lot of it has to do with their situation when they first came to this country a couple of generations or more back, when they were vying with other ethnic groups for "low man on the totem pole" jobs.
However, that certainly doesn't excuse it. One of my daughter's housemates was telling me how horrified he was a couple of years back when he was told not to go into one of the Irish-American neighborhoods in Chicago. I suspect that, had he gone, as soon as he opened his mouth, he would have been accepted.
But I've been warned too that it's not an area to go check out the "Irish" bars. What I've been told is that, if they don't recognize you, no one will speak to you.
The housemate felt that people in Ireland are much more accepting of outsiders. And my experience indicates that to be true. However, I did get a kick out of a story my daughter told me. She said that they found out that her boyfriend's mother was telling people that he's dating an American girl "But her family is from Mayo". Well, our last ancestor from Mayo was born there nearly 200 years ago! And 3/4 of my daughter's ancestors were actually German! But somehow that tie to Mayo made her feel better.
Who knows, it may well be more of a mother thing than an ethnic thing. Maybe she thinks that, if my daughter has ties to Mayo, and if they were to marry, she'd be more willing to settle there than here.
However, that certainly doesn't excuse it. One of my daughter's housemates was telling me how horrified he was a couple of years back when he was told not to go into one of the Irish-American neighborhoods in Chicago. I suspect that, had he gone, as soon as he opened his mouth, he would have been accepted.
But I've been warned too that it's not an area to go check out the "Irish" bars. What I've been told is that, if they don't recognize you, no one will speak to you.
The housemate felt that people in Ireland are much more accepting of outsiders. And my experience indicates that to be true. However, I did get a kick out of a story my daughter told me. She said that they found out that her boyfriend's mother was telling people that he's dating an American girl "But her family is from Mayo". Well, our last ancestor from Mayo was born there nearly 200 years ago! And 3/4 of my daughter's ancestors were actually German! But somehow that tie to Mayo made her feel better.
Who knows, it may well be more of a mother thing than an ethnic thing. Maybe she thinks that, if my daughter has ties to Mayo, and if they were to marry, she'd be more willing to settle there than here.
Jun 22nd, 2007, 08:17 AM
#55
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MissPrism - They are indeed daps here in Wales (as well as pumps).
To add to Dai Daps, we had a P.E. teacher called Danny Dap. He got this nickname because you were wacked on the backside by his dap if you forgot your rugby kit (consequently, it was safer to pack in playing rugby!!).
To add to Dai Daps, we had a P.E. teacher called Danny Dap. He got this nickname because you were wacked on the backside by his dap if you forgot your rugby kit (consequently, it was safer to pack in playing rugby!!).
Jun 22nd, 2007, 09:40 AM
#56
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kireland, do you think I would poke fun at Americans?
CAPH52, I have some appreciation of what you mean about Irish-American enclaves. Some of their denizens are related to me, although contact has been lost over the years.
A majority of Irish people accept or welcome our immigrants, who now constitute about 10% of the population, a somewhat higher percentage of the workforce.
A minority express racist or xenophobic sentiments. I think the xenophobia matters more than the racism, because the overwhelming majority of our immigrants are from Eastern Europe, and do not look greatly different from us. I think that a Lithuanian has about the same chance of being verbally abused as a Nigerian (once the Lithuanian is identified as not being Irish, which usually means as soon as she utters something).
Our xenophobes, while vocal and often unpleasant, are a smallish minority. We have one political party that makes immigration an issue, and their candidates get fewer than 200 votes each (you need about 9,000 to get elected). Of course, some of those who vote for other parties might have some sympathy with them, albeit not enough to vote for them.
None of my friends is xenophobic; it's a self-regulating claim, because xenophobia would alienate my friendship. I have a quite simple attitude to disliking people. Those I dislike have earned it on an individual basis, not by accident of ethnicity or place of birth.
CAPH52, I have some appreciation of what you mean about Irish-American enclaves. Some of their denizens are related to me, although contact has been lost over the years.
A majority of Irish people accept or welcome our immigrants, who now constitute about 10% of the population, a somewhat higher percentage of the workforce.
A minority express racist or xenophobic sentiments. I think the xenophobia matters more than the racism, because the overwhelming majority of our immigrants are from Eastern Europe, and do not look greatly different from us. I think that a Lithuanian has about the same chance of being verbally abused as a Nigerian (once the Lithuanian is identified as not being Irish, which usually means as soon as she utters something).
Our xenophobes, while vocal and often unpleasant, are a smallish minority. We have one political party that makes immigration an issue, and their candidates get fewer than 200 votes each (you need about 9,000 to get elected). Of course, some of those who vote for other parties might have some sympathy with them, albeit not enough to vote for them.
None of my friends is xenophobic; it's a self-regulating claim, because xenophobia would alienate my friendship. I have a quite simple attitude to disliking people. Those I dislike have earned it on an individual basis, not by accident of ethnicity or place of birth.
Jun 25th, 2007, 03:25 AM
#59
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Trust me if you are looking around as a tourist they will assume you are British or American and do not be put off by Ireland from comments made. Its a former Homogeneous society adapting quickly to a mixed population from ALL OVER. Even with a few blips I think its going better than in some other countries. I used to get so excited if I saw someone Asian or Black 12 years ago as i was from NY and kinda of freaked out being in a place where everyoine looked like me...it was the opposite for many years so it was really weird at first. Most ethnic people I did see were British working here or on holiday. There are also several kids who are African/Irish living here with a parent from each nationality. Look at Samantha mumba (She is a singer and did well a few years back) as well as an a girl who is currently in the Crucinble at the Abbey. She is half african half Irish and a talented actress. I hope you come and enjkoy ireland Special K!
Jun 28th, 2007, 06:15 AM
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I was there 2 years ago in Oct for my sisters wedding. I wore blue jeans, hiking boots, and longsleeve button up shirts with a t-shirt under for layering. DH wore kakies and LS shirts; black rockports. I wore these everyday with the exception of the wedding where I wore black jeans; black shoes and a dressy shirt; DH wore kakies a nice shirt & tie.
I never felt out of place. Most people (native & non) I encountered were wearing the same as us. We did not go to any lg towns, but ate in pubs every day. We toured the burren most of our trip.
I never felt out of place. Most people (native & non) I encountered were wearing the same as us. We did not go to any lg towns, but ate in pubs every day. We toured the burren most of our trip.
