Probably 70% of people I have met since I moved to Waco just over a year ago tell me that they are of Irish heritage. Although, the majority of them have no clue from what county, area or even what end of Ireland, it makes me smile to see how they are so happy about it! Quick history lesson: According to a 2008 census survey 38 million Americans claimed Irish ancestry! That’s a lot of Paddy’s stateside!
I love how everyone adores the Irish. I have travelled all over the world and everywhere I go, being Irish is well received. People of course have their stereotypes of all nationalities. For example, the French are snooty, the Irish are drunks, the Italians are charmers, the Spanish are feisty, and the Chinese are extremely intelligent hard workers. As for Americans? Well there are just way too many of you to cover! 
Now I’m rambling, another signature trait of being Irish! However the point of my story today is don’t stereotype! Throughout my travels, I have encountered drunken Italians, snooty Irish, charming Chinese, and feisty French.
Diversity- I love. I love meeting all kinds of people from all walks of life. I think that’s probably why I love Texas so much. So many people of different colors, shapes, sizes and backgrounds. I’m hungry to meet new people and hear their stories.
So for my first post I would like to share some of the hilarious questions and stories I have witnessed since my recent relocation to the states. These made me chuckle!
- So do ya’ll have electricity?
- Do you have McDonald’s in Ireland?
- Do ya’ll celebrate Christmas?
- What do you do for Independence Day in Ireland?
- How did you get here? Like on a boat?
- Leprechauns really don’t exist do they? Are they an extinct creature?
- You’re Irish, how are you so tan?
- Were you born with red hair?
Sometimes I like to have a little fun with people, and tell them the story of “how my grandfather was actually half leprechaun, when he passed, he left me some gold. We have a special bank in Ireland to exchange the remaining gold to real money. I hopped on a boat and spent weeks sailing the wonderful United States. I was originally red headed, pale and freckled, but I wanted to fit in in America so I tan, dye my hair and plaster myself in make-up.”
It is all in good fun though. My friends back home asked if people in Waco ‘rode horses down Main Street shooting guns.’
Although I have yet to don a pair of cowgirl boots, I’ve grown quite obsessed with Texas, or more so with the people. I moved here with suit case of clothes and that was it. Within a week, I had neighbors, colleagues and brand new friends giving me silverware, TV’s, a couch, a never used bed, end tables. Inviting me for dinners and kids birthdays, making sure I’m not homesick. The list goes on. I have never been so in awe of the generosity of people as I have with the Texans. So kudos to you lovely Texans!
As we say back home, “Go raibh mile maith agaibh!” (Thank ye very much!)
Just like electricity, airplanes and McDonalds, we do have our own language but that’s a whole other story!
March 29, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Thank you Irish lady for your first post and for giving Waco and Texas a try. We welcome you to Bohemia.
March 31, 2012 at 12:27 pm
Aoife, I grew up in Scotland. Some of the questions our American friends and family would ask us when we came back to visit were, “Do you have thatched roofs?” “What language do they speak there?” “Does everyone wear kilts?” and “I’m a descendant of William Wallace.” We liked to tell Americans about the haggis hunting, how the haggis has long legs in back and short legs in front so you hunt it by chasing it up a hill, and when it reaches the top, it falls over because it can’t go downhill.
On the other side of the pond, our Scottish friends asked if we knew Britney Spears and all lived in mansions.
We need to meet sometime!
April 1, 2012 at 9:23 am
In my case, I am a quarter Irish: my grandmother (Georgie Means) came from Ireland and could trace her ancestry to Joshua Means, born 1650 in Dublin.
But knowing your ancestry takes work or money, and since she is long gone, only a certain on-line genealogy service knows that line. Perhaps someday I shall pay for the privilege of accessing the details of what my family researched, and then trustingly put on their site. A note to anyone who uses such services: keep your own copy!
April 9, 2012 at 4:25 pm
Hey Mandy B, for sure. Would love to meet sometime! And Gary, I do hear you, it is so hard to trace despite how small of a country we are! I hope you do in the future!