Welcome to Ireland - but don't stay long

[свободный радикал]

Manchán Magan
Thursday October 18, 2007
The Guardian

Hearing that Ireland has topped the list of the world's friendliest countries in the Lonely Planet's Bluelist 2008, on account of the "deliciously dark sense of humour and ... welcoming attitude towards strangers", this Irishman's first thought is: "Ha, ha, we've managed to hoodwink them again, the gullible amadáin [fools]!"
Lest there be any misunderstanding, it's important to make clear that the Irish distrust and dislike all foreigners. It's a national trait. We will use a bit of charm when you stop us for directions or waylay us in a pub, but that's often because we just want your money. Although our booming economy means we have more money now than we know what to do with, we still want more and if getting at yours means asking you how the weather is and how you're getting on, we'll do it. Just don't go thinking we like you. It's nothing personal; we're a tribal nation.
The fact that the people who serve us pints are now nuclear physicists from Latvia and our gardeners are university lecturers from the Philippines makes us deeply uncomfortable, but what can we do? We're simply too rich to do it ourselves. We no longer need to look back to the distant past for a golden era - we're living it. Ireland is like a birthday boy gleefully opening all his presents and keen to show them off. We want you here long enough to revel in our abundance - but don't ask us to share any of it, and make sure you leave soon.
If you meet us in the evening or first thing in the morning and we seem particularly friendly, we may be drunk. We're fortunate in that we become exuberant with drink. You wouldn't want to meet us next day when we're hungover and laughing at you behind your back. But please keep coming. Being an island nation, we're like a dysfunctional family, and it's a relief now and then to see a new face.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,2193337,00.html

Manchán Magan



чем-то на нашего тадпола похож, не находите ?

anyhow ... +100 by the way - for the article