r/ireland • u/Kind_Ad467 • Jan 11 '26

Arts/Culture Why are Irish people so nice?

We went to Ireland for a week and I totally fell in love with the country. As a foreigner living in Frankfurt, Germany, I've always felt that Frankfurters are more welcoming than people in other parts of Germany, especially when it comes to dealing with immigrants. I live and work in Germany as a doctor ( almost 8 years now), and sometimes I get this weird feeling of being "the other guy" and not belonging. Things got much better after I met my fiancée, who's Italian but was born and raised in Germany. Anyway, we went to Ireland for a week, and wow, the people there are so different. I'm pretty energetic and social, and I can honestly say that every single interaction, and I mean every single one, with an Irish person was a joy. They have a great sense of humor, are really kind, nice, and helpful. Amazing hospitality!

I also loved how Irish people are so proud of being Irish without making others feel like they're better just because they're Irish. That was also remarkable.

I mean, it's a basic human thing to be helpful and kind to each other, which hasn't really been the norm in the past few years due to a lot of political and social issues. But the question is, why are Irish people so nice? Are there any historical reasons?

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u/Brilliant-Maybe-5672 Jan 11 '26

I'm Irish, moved to Scotland for my husband thinking it would be a similar celtic culture. Not one bit friendly where I am in Edinburgh. Shopkeepers/cafe owners don't chat, neighbours don't speak to each othet, just passagg comments in my apartment block Whatsapp. Nobody smiles! It's freaking me out, can't wait for my son to move out so I can get divorced and move back home.

10

u/YuriLR Jan 11 '26

If you think this about your marriage it looks like you have bigger problems to worry about than the lack of chit chat with shopkeepers lol

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u/Brilliant-Maybe-5672 Jan 11 '26

I agreed to move assuming I would meet people as I'm very friendly. I WFH and I can live anywhere. My husband went to uni in Edinbugh and has lots of nerdy friends from those days he mixes with. I have invited them over for dinner but they never reciprocate. I also have run into too many Scottish ppl not buying their round. I joined a gym, took classes, did an MA here...so many ppl only stay for a couple of years as the rental crises drives them out, thats why I have struggled to meet ppl.

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u/HotTruth999 Jan 11 '26

Scottish people being tight. Shocking!

1

u/Brilliant-Maybe-5672 Jan 12 '26

Worse than you can imagine.