At home abroad: Feb 15, 2007

February 15, 2007

Do you want chips with this?

This will be one of the first questions you will hear moving to Ireland and it will be your constant companion during your time here.
The first time I heard the question was in a restaurant. I ordered the typical Irish dish called lasagne when the waiter asked the seemingly routine question “Do you want chips with this?” I was startled, so far I had only eaten chips in burger joints or as a side dish with sausages, but it really did not seem to fit with lasagne. Now one year later I would almost miss something if I don’t get chips with my lasagne.
Irish people just love anything that is made of potatoes. The other day I had a pub lunch: there was my meat and my veggies, mashed potatoes and of course a bowl of chips. Why would the mash be enough; it seems the perfect meal contains at least 2 dishes made of potatoes.

Intro

In Ireland I was once told a story. A Spanish man travelling in Connemara asked what the Irish word for mañana would be. He was told “Oh no, we don’t have a word describing such a hurry here.”
I tried to keep this story in mind on my way from Cork into Dublin on Sunday evening.
It seemed to me like even the roads were in a hurry. Cars where changing lanes like mad and honking was the only accepted way of communication.

Ireland is a lovely country, people are friendly, the weather is mild, the countryside is gorgeous and in general not much is working in this country, but Irish people are way to relaxed to keep complaining about this too much, which is a very good skill to acquire when you move here from lets say one of the Scandinavian countries.