Being Irish-American is something I take a lot of pride in. All my friends know how important my culture is to me and how much I want to go back to the Homeland. I've grown up with folk tales, step dancing competitions, and soda bread in March. I was surrounded by the culture. Furthermore, there's several things that set the Irish-Americans apart from the rest.
1. You have potatoes at most meals.
Mashed, baked or even in tots, Irish find a way to make the potato work in all occasions. Breakfast can have potato hash browns or roasted red potatoes, but you know the vegetable will be incorporated in the most important mean of the day. Other foods make us who we are as well. Coming home from school and smelling the corn beef in the Crock Pot was a regular occurrence. Shepard's Pie is also a huge crowd pleaser. All in all, we have our staple adored foods.
2. The Pogues and The Dubliners are your favorite.
Whiskey in the Jar is the song that most reminds me of the holidays. You know you're Irish when you can belt the song with relatives. In addition, you know the right time to clap in The Wild Rover. Our music brings us all together. There isn't an event without a jig or tune to go along with it. Even our funerals have bagpipes after the ceremony.
3. You took step dancing classes.
Irish dancing is a right of passage. From the stages of the green skirt and pin to the jeweled dresses with wigs. Personally speaking, I struggled with the stiff arms. We dance with our arms at our sides because as story has it, the Irish were suppressed when the country was controlled by British. Dancing was a freedom the citizens were not granted. The stiff arms let the Irish dance behind the bar and in their yards behind their tall hedges without being seen except for their bobbing heads.
4. You have a Mary in your family.
No matter how small or large (usually very large) your family is, you have a Mary. Sometimes there is even more than one. You probably have two aunts with the middle name Mary as well.
5. You know the different between Northern Ireland and the other 26.
Ireland might be 32 counties but 6 of them use a different monetary system and don't belong to the Republic of Ireland. The Protestants that are mostly congregated in the North are represented by the orange in our flag. Green represents the Catholic. White is symbolic of the peace between the two.
6. You have family in uniform.
Irish-Americans have long lines of police in their family. During immigration, it was the most welcoming career for the unwanted "drunks". We just never left that job field. Every Christmas you know at least one of the four cops in the family will gift you a PBA card.
7. YOU CAN SPOT A PLASTIC PADDY.
We all know the other cultures that pretend they can be one of us. "Top of the mornin to ya" isn't said in Ireland. We don't only buy Irish Spring soap and we don't smell like sunscreen. Real Irish would never dye their beer green for March 17th AND we would NEVER call it St. Patty's Day. It's St. Paddy's Day.
8. Claddagh rings are more than a fashion statement.
Originated in Galway, Ireland the ring means more than a cute crown and heart. If the heart points outwards, whomever is wearing it is single and open for love. If the heart faces inward, the owner of the hand is taken. It's a status symbol as much as it is a fashion statement.
9. Irish Yoga and the Irish Flu aren't jokes. Irish Goodbyes too.
Irish Yoga is slang for the drunken poses an Irishmen passes out in. It's more or less a joke. Irish Flu as we all know is the term an Irishmen uses for his hangover. "Hey boss, sorry I can't come in today. Yeah I have the Irish Flu." Last but not least, an Irish Goodbye. We can never seen to say goodbye, kiss on the cheek and leave. Irish have a hard time going around at family parties or any party of that matter and saying their goodbyes. An Irish Goodbye is sneaking out the door with either only saying goodbye the host or no one at all.
10. Stories take forever but you don't complain.
Either it's a traditional tale like St. Patrick and the snakes or it's your uncle telling the tale of his fishing trip, but regardless it takes a half hour to tell a two minute story. Every detail matters to the Irish. "It was a Tuesday, 78 degrees and there was a wind coming from the North" would typically be how these tales start and you know to grab a seat because it's gonna be awhile.
11. We have a lot of soul.
"We have a lot of trouble, we have a lot of soul, we'll drink a pint of Guinness and forget about it all" to quote Dolly Parton. Irish people are always smiling and laughing. We have a charm. You know you're Irish when you can make the most of anything. Irishmen will always have a smile on their face because they celebrate everything. You know you're Irish because you never fail to make the most of life.
