Since moving to America, I've begun to realize that a lot of the things I thought were pretty normal or common throughout my entire life, are actually just "Irish things." I've learned this over the past couple of years from all of the "I've never heard that word before, you call it a what?" "what is your mom cooking?" and "what do you mean you don't like iced tea?!" that I tend to receive on a daily basis. And while many of the Irish traditions which my family and I still keep, initially confuse the shit out of most of our American friends, I wouldn't have it any other way! (I mean who doesn't love a roast potato and some Bisto gravy on top?)
So here is a list of some of the signs that you, or your friend, grew up in an Irish family!
1. Sunday's mean mam's roast potatoes
From my experience, no one on this side of the Atlantic has actually ever heard of roasting a potato! It's blasphemy really.
2. You know it's Christmas time when the shops start to break out the tins of Cadbury's Roses or some Celebrations.
And you all fight for the best ones.
3. "What is Thanksgiving?"
Americans are usually shocked to find out that the Irish don't have their own Thanksgiving holiday. Does St. Patrick's Day count?
4. You most likely went to a Catholic school.
And therefore you were taught how to tie a tie by the age of 12!
5. A cup of hot tea (at granny's house) can fix just about anything.
Not the nasty iced, sweet tea that Southerners drink. (And they think it's weird we use milk.)
6. Westlife was probably one of your favorite bands.
Even dad knows the words to most of their hits.
7. "Chips" means a nice hot, paper bag that's dripping with vinegar, and filled with "fries" that pair nicely with a battered sausage or on a sandwich.
NOT a bag of Lays.
8. If you're ever worried or stressed about work or school, don't you worry because granny will light a candle for you.
Honestly, it works wonders!
9. A wooden spoon was a sign of torture.
Enough said.
10. It is 100% normal to drop the f-bomb at least 3 times in each sentence.
And by the f-bomb, I mean "feck," something Americans will just never understand.
11. The largest ongoing feud is not between Trump, his wall, and Mexico, but actually between King and Tayto.
(And for all you Americans those are what you call CRISPS.)
