Opinion Section

do you consider yourself Irish?

/Yes, I have Irish citizenship. / No, I do not feel assimilated enough with the culture to consider myself Irish. / Yes, but not 100%. Like most Americans, I have other heritage as well. / Yes. My great grandparents were from County Cork and immigrated in the late 1800s. / Yes and no. At this point I have been here for 14 years, almost half of my life. I have never been an adult in America. / No, I don’t feel like I fit into Irish society and I feel American. Irish people also make it known that we are foreigners. / No. I think I only would if I was born in Ireland so even when I become a citizen I don’t know if I will call myself Irish. / Irish American - because I was born in the USA to Irish American parents and lived there until my 30s. / No. I’ve lived in Ireland during three different periods, and currently permanently here for the foreseeable future. But living here does not mean my cultural heritage (including accent, language use, likes, habits, etc.) changes, so no matter how long I’m here I’ll always be American. / No. I’m American and I’m not yet eligible. We missed the chance to have our daughter born into Irish citizenship by about 10 days and I’m a little bitter about it. / No. I only have a U.S. passport. / No, because I wasn’t born to Irish parents, nor in Ireland, nor grew up in the culture and customs. I was born and raised Texan and a Texan I will be until the day I die! / Yes, mother is from here and half my family is here from her side. / No. I’m not of Irish descent. / No, I still consider myself American although Ireland is my home and I sometimes feel I think more like the Irish than Americans. / I did before I moved here because it was in my heritage. Now that I live here I realize I am definitely not Irish! / No. I am very proud to be from the U.S. / No Irish heritage. / Although I have Irish citizenship now (naturalized), no. Given my different upbringing and accent, I don’t feel that I will ever be seen as Irish here. Being Irish feels like something you have to be born into (unlike being American, which I think anyone can be). / No, I hold a U.S. passport. / No. I’m not a citizen yet and feel like I’ll need to live here a lot longer (been here 7 years). Not having an Irish accent also plays a part. I do feel like I fit into the culture though. / Yes. I am Irish-American, of full Irish descent, so have always identified as Irish. Interestingly, I lived in Ireland for about 5 years before moving to Dublin. It was in Dublin that I was made to feel like an outsider/foreigner/ immigrant and that was when I started feeling more American than Irish or Irish-American. Now, I know that what I consider myself to be is not how I am seen. I have now settled on considering myself AmericanIrish. That may change as the clock continues to tick. / I do. I’m Irish citizen now, I have adopted the country as my own. / No, I’m an American with origins from Asia. / I’m still an American. I am very straight forward and can’t be one way to your face and another way behind your back like the Irish. / No, because I am not an Irish citizen. Even if I get citizenship in the future, I’m not sure if I’ll consider myself Irish. I think it would be more American-Irish. / I am Irish and I am American. I have dual citizenship and an Irish passport. / No, because I am American. As in I will never be seen by the Irish as being Irish no matter how long I live here. / Yes, because: a) I was raised in an Irish-American household b) My maternal grandparents were from Ireland c) My father’s side of the family emigrated to the U.S. around the time of the Irish Famine d) I obtained Irish nationality in 1992 through my maternal grandparents. Also, I have been coming to Ireland since 1986. / Yes. I live here, I work here, and my kid has an Irish accent. / No, born and raised in / Kind of. My mom was Irish but had me over a decade after emigrating. So I’m American. I’m an immigrant but I’m not fully either of those things and “Irish” is as good a term as any to fill in the missing parts. / Ancestral yes but I would never refer to myself as Irish. / No. Even though I have citizenship, it still seems odd to refer to myself as Irish. / No, I have Irish heritage but I also am Greek, Swedish, and Cherokee Indian. I grew up in America so am American. / No, I still feel very tied to my family and friends in America and feel outside of Irish traditions/vernacular. / Yes, my great grandparents are from here so grew up with the Irish culture. / I have Irish citizenship, but I’m an American…just moved here in July at age 60. In America they think I’m Irish. / Sometimes. I’ve lived here for 19 years. / No. I am an American in Ireland. I do not have any ties to Irish family bloodlines besides being married to an Irishman and having our half Irish son. / Yes, as father is by birth. / Yes my parents were born in Ireland, so I am Irish. / No because I am not. I was born and raised in the U.S., so therefore am American. / No. I’ll always be American. / Yes. / No. I have been an expat here for 2 years. / I don’t consider myself American. I was born and raised in Alabama. I could never consider myself Irish. My children are half Alabamians and half Irish. I wish they remembered more of their time living in Alabama though. / No. I am a guest. / No. But when I'm in another country I'm starting to. / Yes. My parents were born here so it my heritage and I am raising my children here now. / Yes, well, at least 50/50. / No, only of Irish descent since I was born and raised in the U.S. / No not yet, but I suppose I will once I get citizenship. / No. Lived in U.S.A. ‘til age 37. Never took up citizenship here. No Irish ancestry. / I was born in America and my ethnicity is not Irish. I don’t think I’ll ever consider myself Irish. However, whenever we

ASK AN AMERICAN

travel somewhere and people ask where I’m from, I do say Ireland because it is my home and I consider it the place I come from. / No - no Irish passport. Born in the U.S. / Not “really” Irish. After 20 years I still feel that I am not part of the cultural identity, especially in terms of the fact that much of the social rules are based in Catholicism. / No. I still consider myself American but I consider my children to be Irish. / The longer I am here, the less I feel Irish. I’ve been here a decade and am still asked daily where I’m from. Now that I have kids, I feel more American than ever and want them to have that too. / No. I’ve only been living in Ireland since March 2019. My family would say we’re Irish, but I wouldn’t make that distinction myself as the closest Irish relative was a great-great grandfather whom I didn't know. / Yes and no. I do consider myself Irish (my mom is a dual citizen and we have Irish roots). That said, I’m very aware the Irish don’t consider me a real Irish person (Plastic Paddy). / No, I wasn’t born here nor grew up here and it’s not my family’s culture. / No, I feel at home and have chosen to live here but I was born in the States and my family are still there so my connection is still strong. I prefer the values, ethics and way of life here compared to where I grew up. / Well I hold Irish citizenship but probably have more Irish tendencies than considering myself Irish. / No. I do not have any Irish ancestry and I’ve only been here seven months. / Yes. I grew up as an Irish American in New York. Never missed a St. Patrick’s day parade nor a ceili nor an Irish dance. My parents are Irish. I grew up my whole life thinking I was Irish even though I was born in the U.S. It was only when I moved to Ireland was I told I was American. / Not yet, no. I’ve only been here two and half years. I think that will change once I marry my Irish man and I’m here a lot longer. / Yes. By ancestry (my great grandparents emigrated to the U.S. in 1870). / No. While Ireland is my new, permanent home I lived in the States for decades so I feel it better represents who I am. Once I’ve been in Ireland for about as long as I was in the States I’d say my feelings may change and I might consider myself to be more Irish, but I haven’t been in Ireland long enough yet. / Prior to moving of course I did because I had an Irish last name. After moving I realized I was the furthest thing from it. I’d like to say now that I might sounds Irish but still wouldn’t consider myself as one as my Irish friends would just laugh at the thought. / No, I didn’t grow up in Ireland and my parents and grandparents were American born as well, so culturally I can’t be Irish. My great grandparents on both sides were Irish but I don’t think that is enough for me to say I’m Irish. / I consider myself American. / Not at all. No family, no roots, no connections, no friends, nada. I instead identify as an Asian-American. / No. I will always be American with full on Texas pride. / Yes because of my heritage. But, I’m also a citizen which I did through my grandmother. / No, I think of myself as more European or global these days, though I live in Ireland and am still an American citizen. / No. I live in Ireland. I have assimilated here but I’m still American living happily here. / Yes - I have a duel citizenship. / Yes, I did in the States as well. Even before moving here, I always felt Irish. / No, because born and lived in America 'till moving here at the age of 31 in 2001; even though I have both an Irish passport and Irish citizenship. / No, I’ll always be American. / I do, after living here 38 years. / Kind of. I have been here nearly as long as I lived in the U.S. (25 years U.S.- 22 in Ireland). I have both an American and an Irish passport. Likewise, I have both and done Americanisms. / Yes, I’ve been living here for almost half my life at this point. The States has changed so much, there are times when I really can’t identify with my friends Stateside. / Not by blood - not much, anyway. But I do in soul, where it really counts. / Yes, I’m half Irish, and it’s a huge part of my identity. / No, the people here make it clear to me every day that I will never be a local here or truly be a part of them. / Always there is an assumption that I’m a tourist when it comes to meeting strangers outside of work. / Yes, on occasion. / Yes.

do you ever experience negative attitudes or assumptions about you by native Irish people?

/ Yes, and people always make comments about how I am an American and make little digs at America. / No, I don’t know about assumptions but I usually steer clear of negative attitudes. If I have to communicate with people like that, I just remain my happy self. / No, I haven’t experienced that. / Yes, not particularly about me but about “Americans.” / Sure. But fair ones. / Yes, definitely. In their subtle Irish way that isn’t openly negative - they would never do that so openly! But they do it in small, subtle ways and slagging. Loads of slagging. Which they say is a way to know people like you - but it’s also a way of creating space between people. People often think that I’m a Trump fan or love guns because I’m American and Texan. / Just the usual stereotypes given to Americans based off of what they have seen on T.V. / No, I would say curiosity but not negativity. / Rarely as most of time I just consider it “slagging” but yes I do. / Yes, very often. / Only very rarely. Sometimes people assume I’ll be enthusiastic about everything because I’m American, even about really dumb stuff, which can be slightly insulting, but

"Only when I moved to Ireland was I told I was American."

nothing serious. / Absolutely. / Not really. Just some questions/attitudes about stereotypical Americans or about Trump. / Yes, all the time. I have lived in Dublin for more than 10 years now and I find that in Dublin I am constantly battling against wide brush assumptions about me based on my accent/passport. It is exhausting! / Sometimes people will ask why I want to live here. I say a lot of Irish live abroad. / Absolutely!!! But not a lot. Mostly people are fascinated with the fact that I would leave New York or San Francisco for Ireland. I have been told by a patient that I came over and took an Irish person’s job and by another that I shouldn’t be here. It happens but rarely. / I am still not familiar with a lot of slang and find certain Irish accents difficult to understand. This can lead to a lot of misunderstandings that make me feel like I am seen as stupid because I don’t understand something that seems simple to the Irish person. / Yes. People think I am easy or loose and will steal their man. I have also been shunned by native Irish people for these assumptions that have no basis in reality. The Irish are outwardly hospitable but inwardly clannish, in my opinion. In the summertime, the native Irish assume I am a tourist. I have used this to my advantage at times, getting extra attention and sometimes gifts. / Not about me specifically, that I am aware of, but about other Americans or other nationalities, yes. / Yes. Nothing major, and certainly not abusive. But it is not unusual to hear an offhanded negative remark about the U.S. and Americans. / Sometimes, but I don’t pay attention to most people. / Yes, but also positive. / Generally, no I don't. The thing where people assume I’m a tourist is tedious. / All the time. / Yes! The nice people definitely out weigh the rude though. Several times I’ve been told we were stupid, directly and indirectly. Comments like “Well you’d expect that from an American” after telling a story where someone was a bit ditzy. / Yes lol. A lot of Trump comments [are made]. / Not really…they think I’m a little crazy moving here on my own with two dogs and four cats, but they excuse me most everything because I’m American…Irish people have been helpful and open to me. / Not so much as during the economic downturn a few years ago. / Yes, on a regular basis. / Yes, I think there is an assumption that Americans are all alike and we all behave the same way. / Yes at the beginning until they got to know me. / Not that I’m aware of. / Not often but I’ve been here eight years so yes it has happened a few times a year. / Not once in 9 months. / Yes! All the time. / Not about me being American, but certainly about Americans in general. / Assumptions, yes. But not normally negative. / Very occasionally people make comments about politics in the U.S. or get judgy as if there is something morally inferior about Americans as humans. / Yes. Loud, rich, Pro Trump. / Every single day. It is assumed that I’m loud, picky, rude, controlling, “so American” etc. / Yes, especially due to my weight and the fact that my qualifications are not recognized here. / Of course, lesser so in recent years as I have become better known in my profession but definitely in the early years. / I do, directly and indirectly. / Very rarely. I have an Irish name so there is some leeway given to me but I do hear snippets about “those crazy Yanks.” Where everyone in the room looks at me with an “oh but not you of course” kind of look. Beyond that, I’ve encountered people who automatically assume I’m a Trump supporter (I’m not). / Not to my face but sometimes I feel like I’m treated differentlynot as friendly or warm. / Absolutely, I’m ACTUALLY half Irish (my dad was born and raised in Ireland), but because of my American accent Irish people always assume I’m one of “those” Americans. / Yes as there seemed to be an anti American sentiment when I first arrived here but that quickly passed. / No, never. I have met amazing people and I have made fantastic friends. / Not really, no. I think because English is the native language in both countries. There are some assumptions about culture where they assume it would be the same. I find it difficult to explain that the way it’s done in Ireland isn’t the way it’s done in the States. Particularly with family, they meet every week, extended family included, and that’s not common for me, but it’s normal here, so we can butt heads a bit about that. / Yeah, they think Americans are obnoxious. Nice, but very ignorant. At this point I’ve blended in so I never get any negative attitudes or assumptions. If anything, the Irish no longer believe I actually am American. / Yes the culture is not as open as American. / No I have had a really positive experience with Irish people. Obviously they make jokes about America but nothing that I wouldn’t say myself. / Occasionally. / Not often, thankfully. / Yes, but not very often. I am fortunate to live in a very rural part of Ireland and people here are very welcoming and kind. / Yes, some assume I am here temporarily. Some make rude comments about Americans in front of me. I have been told I won’t be hired by a company because they only hire Irish. / No. I blend in, but I’ve seen and heard negative attitude and ideas about other immigrants. / Very little; mostly the contrary. / Yes. As many friends as I’ve made here, I’m still seen as a typical American. / Yes, especially since I live in a very rural area. / When I first moved here 12 years ago it was worse than It is now. I think I both grew thick skin, learned that some of the comments I would often hear were not meant to be as nasty as I took them and Ireland is becoming more tolerant to other cultures. / A little bit, but not much. We usually just joke about

“The thing where people assume I’m a tourist is tedious.”

differences between the U.S. and Ireland. / I haven’t yet. At least, none are any I disagree with! / No, much less than other countries I’ve lived in (Jordan, Hong Kong, France). / No, because even though I was raised in the U.S., I still kept an Irish accent. / Not me personally but I probably have the advantage of being lily white, American, and from a part of America that has a very, very high amount of Irish ancestry in general.

what do you believe the irish opinion of americans to be?

/ They generally like all things that are American. / Consumerist and rich. / Generally positive. So many want to move there, and/or go on holidays there. But they also think we are loud, badly dressed, uncouth and fat. / I think the Irish think of Americans is similar to what I think of Americans….loud, obnoxious and arrogant. / Fat, crazy about guns, ignorant Bible thumpers. But at the same time positive. (I know that seems counter-intuitive, but there it is). / We think that we are the best, money obsessed, stressed, and we are overachievers. / Differs from people who have been to the U.S. to those who have not. Majority are that we are strong willed. / That Americans are a little loud, obnoxious, pushy and unrefined people. / That we’re all loud, over enthusiastic know-it-alls- that we all have a lot of money - that we’re sometimes quite annoying and gullible but not the worst in the world. / Generally on a one to one basis I feel like most Irish people like Americans. Many of them have close relatives who are American and many have memories of the American relatives sending packages home. Despite that, in a wider sense I often hear people speak of Americans with negative cultural connotations - loud, power hungry, workaholic, consumers, etc. / Loud, professionalised, and like to brag. / Love/hate relationship. / Loud, obnoxious, conservative, Trumpist, attention-seeking, “not Irish.” / Optimistic. Hard-working. Over-sharers. Close-minded. / In trouble with Trump. / Loud, over sharing, sometimes can be arrogant. / Loud, ignorant of other cultures and politics, rich. / Work too hard, are not funny, and are overweight. / Loud, gun-toting, entitled. / That we’re super upbeat, enthusiastic, and slightly naive. / Loud, Trump supporting, and gun-toting. / I don’t think they care that much about Americans. I think some Irish people think Americans think they are superior. Irish people are more interested in the place/ experience of America than they are with the people. / Negative. Especially more recently with Trump in office and the increase in gun deaths combined with a refusal to disarm or even accept reasonable gun-control. They just think Americans are crazy. I can’t blame them or disagree, I just wish they would not put us all in the same bucket. / Overwhelming positive. As a lot of development came from direct investment from American companies. / Arrogant. / That generally we are not intelligent, we dress badly and they we are loud and rude. Also that we are easily fooled. / I think a lot of opinions are formed based on interactions with tourists. Generally, I’ve heard Irish people to view American tourists as friendly and loud. / Loud. This assumption is based on their ears pricking up at our accent, not necessarily because we are louder. There are plenty of loud native Irish. / Depends on the circumstance, but overall favorable. / I think it’s mixed. They generally have enough experience with Americans - either through visits there or having relatives there -- to generally have a more nuanced take on Americans. / Loud, abrasive, over enthusiastic about everything, a little over the top. / Loud, over sharing, opinionated, confident, friendly. / It varies quite widely. For some it’s where family are. For others it’s a shopping mecca. For others it’s a goal. And for others it’s the bogeyman. / That we are all loud and are all stupid. / As a group Americans are lovely but they think our government is horrific and generally has a bad influence on the world especially in regards to military campaigns and our backwards policies in regards to healthcare, cost of education and use of guns. / Overall good, but with a good portion I feel there’s a love/hate relationship with us. They love American movies, products, and want to go to America, but make a lot of snarky comments based on inaccurate stereotypes about Americans. Like they think we all have guns, or they read a dumb article saying “50% of Americans think chocolate milk comes from brown cows” Give us some credit! Haha / Loud, brash, ignorant, conservative. / We’re not “real immigrants” (direct quote from many Irish people). Also the Irish think we’re loud. / They like us…generally…they don’t like the ugly American, the braggart, the know-it-all, the guy flashing his money - but who does? / I think Irish people are very positive about the States, especially compared to other countries I’ve been to. There is a strong bond between Ireland and he us because of all the Irish immigration to the U.S. / That we are ignorant, overweight and gullible. / Not bright, all Trump lovers, obese, not able to cook. / They genuinely like us for the most part. / The typical stereotypes such as being loud, fat, and dumb. That American culture is all about fast food. / Loud, opinionated, confident, outgoing, go getters, and are well presented. / Most like us but some think we are loud and uninformed. / Not a bad opinion of Americans, however, not a good opinion of the United States. / Jerks.

make a lot of snarky comments based on inaccurate stereotypes.” “They love American movies, products, and want to go to America but

/ Loud, obnoxious, always happy, say too much about themselves, discipline children in a different way. / Generally positively disposed. Bewildered on the gun crime and election choices. / I think it’s a love/hate relationship. They like us for entertainment and history value, but we also aren’t fully respected by them either. / Big question. American ideas are often thought to be a bit more touchy-feely. Americans speak their minds and speak their feelings. I’ve always worried that if I speak up as an American I sound demanding. / That we are loud, set in our ways, quite cheesy, but also soooo nice. / Mass consumers who are loud, tote guns and vote idiots into office. But are great for tourist dollars. / Ultimately, I believe the Irish opinion of Americans is positive… however, they tend to think many Americans are “thick” and “ignorant.” / Irish people my age (mid 20s - mid 30s) generally seem to have a positive opinion of Americans their age, although I think it’s less positive with regard to American tourists or politicians. / I think there’s a mix. I think Irish people are both in awe of America and somewhat jealous of what America has to offer but also glad they’re not Americans and are thankful they’re Irish. I’ve heard the plastic paddy comments about how Irish Americans are perceived by the Irish. / Stupid, too overly obsessed with Irish culture, ignorant, Trump-loving hill billies. / Self righteous, opinionated, vulgar, inauthentic, immodest. / They think we are thick and too polite to a fault. And that we all attained the "American Dream" (we have not). / Arrogant, hard-working. / That we’re loud and opinionated, but also that America has lots of opportunities and more wealth. / I think the older generation still thinks of the States as the land of opportunity, when in reality Ireland is more progressive than the U.S. With opportunity comes assumptions of wealth, progressiveness etc, but these are only positive assumptions of Americans. I’ve never come across a negative view. / Obnoxious, loud, ignorant, but nice and always up for a chat, not fake in regards to our looks and appearance. / I think they like individual Americans and most have positive experiences living in America on a J1 visa, but overall I think they feel a bit like at least what they hear about on the news about America is crazy and stupid and they don’t get why we put up with the politics and inequity of it all. / Negative: Loud, self-indulgent, gluttonous, foolish. Positive: Adventurous, driven, wealthy. / Materialistic, even if they don’t use that word!! My daughter (11) attends school here. She is told that we are “rich” and that American schools have indoor pools, chocolate fountains, etc. which is definitely a misconception! For me, we have “American teeth.” / The Irish have such a long history of engagement with America that I find they mostly just think of Americans as… well, people. / Mixed! Either they really like Americans or have distrustful feelings toward Americans. / I think most Irish like Americans and America, in general, because so many of them are living over there too. / We are loud. We eat crap food. We love sunshine. If we didn’t exist in huge numbers here during the summer Ireland would be broke “only for them”. We love war. Our accents are incredibly annoying. We are ignorant. Most of us don’t have passports. And that we all wish we were Irish. / I think they quite like Americans. They do have issues sometimes with our louder voices or openness but these are common cultural differences between many different countries. / They are obsessed with America, yet want to pretend like they are better than America at every turn. Being from Texas, I’ve been told by most Irish I meet that I own a gun and am Republican. When I say that isn’t true, they tell me I’m lying. / Ignorant, stupid, kind of loud and obnoxious - in your face. The Irish also tend to perceive Americans as from the south, so hicks and everything that comes with it - Trumpism. / Irish consume all American content, but for some reason they have a disconnect with how they perceive the Americans in front of them vs. the Americans they see in film. / It depends on which Irish person you speak to.

what is the most positive/negative cultural aspect of ireland?

/ The craic is the most positive. Begrudgery is the most negative aspect of Americans. / I really appreciate Ireland’s focus on nature and the outdoors, the respect for things grown to perfection vs. en masse. Negative, I suppose the contentedness with how things are (e.g. still using immersion heating, less convenience). / I live in a very small town, I can walk to everything and we have all of my husband’s family here. Everyone knows us, that is so nice. But it is so hard to make friends as everyone Irish grew up together and they don’t think of me when making plans to go out. / The positive is a simpler lifestyle that isn’t obsessed with commercialism. The negative is a that everyday is a lesson in patience. No one here is in a hurry to accomplish anything. / Having a second language and very specific “Irish” identity. Negative - a lot of racism. / Positive is a good work life balance and negative is that things are very backwards here and slow. / Hard to break through as an outsider in Ireland. / Positive: The close knit families and friendships Negative: How slow processes take, like getting a mortgage and buying a house and other things that also require applications. For me it was the board of nursing (no consensus on how the process works, no one seems to know, different info from different people you communicate with). / When it’s good - the sense of community, kindness and connection When it’s bad -

when in reality Ireland is more progressive than the U.S.” “The older generation still thinks of the States as the land of opportunity

back-biting, being judgemental and racism. / For me the most negative is the link to very traditional religious belief that permeates most of the cultural and social, and even educational, aspects of Irish society. The most positive is the slower culture of work and less pressure. / Great cultural scene and literary history. But real gaps in funding for education. Housing and infrastructure problems suggest a real failure to care for the population. / Most positive is the majority support for a people based social contract. Most negative is the culture of addiction, bullying / violence and particularly racism. / Negative: JUDGEMENT all the time. Always judging people. False humility too! Positive: Way of life. Easy, great lifestyle. When you do make friends, they are your friends for life. / Positive - beautiful country, a great place to raise a family. Negative - poor healthcare, lots of red tape. / Positive: Smaller and easier to know what’s going on in most of the country. Negative: Can still encounter small minded thinking. / The most positive is that it’s close to mainland Europe and English speaking for those who do not have a second language to English. The most negative is its small size. It is an island and Irish people tend to only associate with themselves as a rule. / Positive - the history and scenery. Negative - house prices, job market. / Positive: That people are warm and very willing to help even total strangers in need, and willing to talk to and get to know new people. Negative: A tie between the culture surrounding alcohol consumption, and begrudgery toward people who have good fortune or who are successful. / People are very tied to where they’re from in Ireland so may be hard to make friends. People in Ireland seem judgemental about Christians or faith in general. Ireland is a beautiful country to travel in and within driving distance. I wouldn’t say it’s a simpler life than in the U.S., but I find it a lot less materialistic which is nice. / To Ireland’s credit it has a mountain of positive cultural aspects. I am a Storyteller, Writer and Photographer. I have found that the environment here has pushed me to be a better Creative. There are many opportunities here to work as a Creative. Most Irish people have culture so naturally in their lives that they have a deep appreciation and respect for it and the people who make it. It is a gift to be able to work as a Creative here, the environment is nourishing. I also enjoy taking in the Arts and with so many venues and festivals there is always someone else’s work to enjoy and get inspired by and that nourishes the soul. I think the most negative cultural aspect of Ireland is drinking - which they bring to the level of a cultural and which is so insidious that it reaches into everything else. I enjoy a drink or more; but it is taken to a toxic level here and can ruin things and lives. / Positive: Social protections, view on women’s equality and diversity Negative: Not being straight forward, lateness and nosiness. / Most positive I have found to be raising my daughters here. They are sports mad so that has been fabulous. We love our GAA. The beauty of this country is second to none. The negative would be the weather, the drinking culture and how two faced, gossiping, begrudging and negative the Irish people can be. / I think the laid back culture is both positive and negative. It’s nice to have a more relaxed culture. For example, I’ve never encountered road rage and people never seem to be in a rush so they’re generally quite friendly and love to chat. However, this can be frustrating as well when things are not done in a timely manner or are more disorganized. / The most negative cultural aspect is the healthcare system. It needs an overhaul. People should not by unattended or dying on trolleys or waiting room chairs in the hospital. The Irish charm and hospitality is true. The native Irish will bend over backwards to be accommodating to a tourist. / Very friendly superficially but hesitant to make friends outside their circle. / Positive: A great appreciation for culture and education Negative: A surprisingly closed society, nearly impossible for a foreigner - even an IrishAmerican - to integrate. / The people are so friendly and always up for a bit if craic, but nobody seems to have “big ideas” or want to try new things. / Positive: Traditional music and dance. Negative: Unfriendly to newcomers generally. / Positive - Work/Life balance (when you find the right job - took me 3 tries) Negative - I don’t find the girls here to be very welcoming. They all seem to have their friends and not want anymore. / I think they genuinely have a concern about those less fortunate in their society but they’re government and government agencies are not run in a very efficient way. / Positive - I think the Irish are smart and also very creative. Negative - I think the Irish are passive aggression, probably brought on by the many years and years of oppression. / Most positive : The social culture. People love to play sports and be social. Negative: The drinking culture and drug use. I’m shocked at the use of cocaine in Ireland. / People are great but they’re also a bit racist without meaning to be. / The best thing about the Irish is their skill at talking and storytelling. They are great at the chat. I also find Irish people very willing to help strangers and especially kind and concerned towards vulnerable people like the elderly and the homeless population. On the negative side, it is difficult to make close friends in Ireland as people really stick with the same friends they grew up with. / Tight-knit communities where it is difficult to get into and usually are pushed out as a stranger. A positive would be the laid back manner of most people where they aren’t always rushing to do something. / Positive most people have great sense of humour. Negative corruption and incompetence in government is just accepted. / Positives: Cheap healthcare Negatives: The people’s attitudes (clan-like, lots of talking behind people’s backs), the cost of living, high tax rates

“The beauty of this country is second to none.”

with little benefits. / Very welcoming but hold discriminating opinions on some nationalities. / Positive : Ease and friendliness Negative : Everything is grand which means some issues get brushed off. / Most positive is the value of family and marriage. Coming from Alabama where most couples I know are on their second marriage Ireland is the opposite. I believe part of it is Ireland is less consume, consume, consume. I find if I am in the U.S. for more than 10 days I feel the need to purchase some material things I wouldn’t normally buy and look a certain way. I believe men in the U.S. are more likely to be unfaithful… being honest. O.K., the negative…I would prefer drinking to be less of every social function. I think people can be more closed off than Americans (or southerners). / Most positive are the Irish. They are just grand. Irish bureaucracy on the other hand can be feckless at times. / Positive, health care that isn’t going to bankrupt you. Negative, roll over and take it attitude. / I think Ireland is a lot safer place to raise kids (having come over as one!). Negative culturally, it’s not very ethnically diverse, which I think is a loss to the country. / Positive aspect is that Ireland has mainly a safe and wholesome culture. Very laid-back and family oriented. The main negative aspect is the isolated, “cliquey” culture where the Irish aren’t very interested in outsiders. / I think there is a lot of historical trauma in Ireland. Colonization, sexual abuse, economic strife, etc. I think that leads to a lot negative aspects in Ireland. Positive? People here are warm and friendly. / Positive: don’t take life too seriously, smile through whatever, and community is everything, everyone supports one another Negative: quite resistant to change, set in old ways, not willing to try new things or think outside the box. / Positive: Experiencing a new culture, universal healthcare, slower pace of life. Negative: The fact that everyone knows everyone and it’s difficult to get things done if you aren’t in that loop. Also social circles are VERY hard to break into. / Negative would be the difficulty of finding a tribe. Truly close friendships are hard come by. Positive is the national wicked sense of humor. Craic. Nowhere else has the craic. / The arts heritage is incredibly strong. The xenophobia is too. / Most positive - living in a multicultural city in a beautiful country that has lots of history. Most negative - I know some older generations, political parties, and people from smaller towns here dislike immigrants like myself. / The most positive is there is very little materialism here compared to the U.S. You’re free to live your life without having to worry about having the flashiest house, car, etc. the negative would be there’s a real resistance to celebrating one’s success. As if there’s almost a shame associated with being successful. There’s lots of begrudging. That makes me so, so sad. I’m so so glad I grew up being told I was capable of achieving anything and that my successes were celebrated. I feel bad my Irish friends had to almost hide their successes to not be seen as a braggart. / Positive is close communities, appreciation for simple things, focus on family Negative is I feel there is a lack of ambition at times, it’s been hard to find a job as I don’t “know” people here, lack of diversity. / Positive: Family and community values. People look out for one another, have a duty of care, sense of family history and tradition. Negative: less open to change, cliquey. / Most positive aspect is the seeming social welfare state everyone is allowed to access yet the negative is the socio economic class system within society and how that dictates your life. / Positive the quieter way of life. And the beauty of the country. Negative the weather. Expensive. / I love the laid back attitudes toward life. Irish are more relaxed than Americans. It is lovely, and I am much happier since I moved here. I am not sure what is really negative. / Ireland is more culturally progressive with the abortion referendum etc. The most negative bit is that Irish people tend to not celebrate their personal achievements. / People are nice but it’s not as personal in Ireland. Also people are generous with money but not with time. Ex. Might buy you a coffee but wouldn’t give you a lift home etc. / I think Irish culture is great in it’s ‘it’ll be grand’ attitude towards life. People are very relaxed and understanding everything doesn’t have to happen on time or be stressful. They don’t take things seriously that don’t have to be serious. That also makes for a great sense of humour! The most negative is probably the fact that everyone knows each other and has life long friend groups which makes it a bit harder for non-Irish people to be included. / Slower pace of life and focus on family. Not welcoming to outsiders, clannish. / The weather. Lol. Seriously, the culture and history are the most positive. I haven’t run into any negatives yet. / Positive: Higher level of general education and respect for culture. Negative: Too rapid adoption of American materialism. / Once they get to know you, they treat you like family. But it takes a really, really, really, really long time for them to really get to know you. / Most positive - I love the friendly people Most negative - no good Mexican food and lack of options. / The people and their sense of humor I absolutely love. Negative cultural aspect- sheep mentality - too many followers and not enough independentlyminded folk though I see that changing recently. / Positive - small country with people who have fought hard got what they believe in and are all very proud of who they are. Negative - small minded, scared of change. / Relaxed, both good and bad! / Well it can be a mistake to generalise about cultural attributes as they can be personal and then assigned to a culture. They also vary in different areas. For example Dublin versus rural. If I were to generalise positives, I would say family here is quite close Negatively, it can be difficult to cultivate close friendships.

“Everything is grand.”

/ The most positive for me in the time off, over Christmas, and holidays in general. The negative would be begrudgery and moaning. / Community and support I’ve found to be the most positive. I’m a gay single mother to a non-Irish child and our town swallowed us in with open arms. I’ve felt more connected, appreciated and supported here than anywhere in the world. If they judge me, they certainly don’t act like it. Negative would be the lack of belief things can change or be done in a better way. Many tend to accept the circumstances with an “ah, it’s grand, sure let it be” attitude. But I tend to have more passion and drive to make change. / I think The Irish are fun and friendly but outside of Dublin very inflexible and startlingly old-fashioned. / For me it’s about the peoplelike in America (and everywhere, I imagine) people can be both incredibly kind and friendly but also shockingly mean and rude!

what is the most positive/negative cultural aspect of the u.s.?

/ Ambition is the most positive aspect and superiority is the most negative. / Positive is probably its diversity and can-do attitude. Negative is that it’s too workcentric and not life-centric. / Being able to get food anywhere, anytime, in any amount of variety is something I miss. Also ease of finding a public restroom! I don’t like the fear of the “other” that is so prevalent there. / Americans have a very “can do” attitude. It’s a place of creativity and dreams. The negative cultural aspect is the ridiculous displays of conspicuous consumption. / Positive: I feel I have a better chance for success and a decent life Negative: It’s expensive and always on the go. / I’ve lived in the north, southeast, southwest and Alaska and the negative aspect is people’s beliefs of other cultures without knowing the culture. Positive is most people are interested in where others have been, lived and visited so once you talk to them you can break barriers by showing interest in where they have been. Guess if you can get them talking you can make a friend. / Optimism is the best The worst is an egotistical attitude that the USA is “the greatest country in the world” and that we have a God-given right to tell other people and nations how to live. / I find the income inequalities and the difference in standards of living very negative in America. I don’t notice such a stark differentiation in Ireland. The most positive aspect is acceptance and understanding of diversity, even the fight for it. / Raging inequity, racism, and capitalist greed. Plus side: Resources can be stellar- education, national park system, the scale really provides top notch cultural forms across the board. / Most positive is the beauty of the landscape. Most negative is the rising of fear-based culture aggression, gun culture, narrowing of the separation of church & state, and racism. / Negative: Friends can be fickle, politics controls everything and is divisive Positive: Easier to make friends, real humility, dreaming is acceptable and not weird, individuality isn’t judged. / Positive - Access to many educational opportunities. Melting pot of many cultures to learn from and experience. Negative - Violence, too many rich living off the poor. Trump. / I would have said positive is freedom of speech and expression but I don’t know if that is true anymore. Negative is commercial focus on money and possessions. / Positives: Plenty of space, good roads, lots of jobs. Negatives: Healthcare and cost of higher education. / Positive - lots of job choice and housing, more social opportunities. Negative - Crime and gun violence. / Positive: We grow up believing that the world is our oyster, and work to pursue our goals, and encourage others to follow their dreams. Negative: We think we have it all figured out and that America is more advanced or “better” than other countries (we could use a bit more awareness and respect for what goes on in other countries). / Americans assume that the U.S. is better than other countries because they are bigger and more powerful. However I enjoy the conveniences in the U.S. and more inclusion and tolerance about certain things. / I think the most positive cultural aspect of the U.S. is the genuineness of people. Straight talking, honest and warm, you will always know what is being communicated as people are sincere. The way people look after each other and communities pull together to care for one another. Negatives - Gun Culture, putting guns before people, greed, money obsessed and thing obsessed - Materialism; Trumpism and Trump-supporters (although we have some of them here and they act as crazy as their fellow Americans living Stateside). / Positive: Diversity. Negative: that we always think we are number 1. / Positive attitude, good natured people. Opportunity for all. Of course the weather depending on where you live. The negative: Donald Trump, some materialistic attitudes and extremes from weight to distribution of wealth. / The political climate in the U.S. is very divisive compared to Ireland, which I see as negative. Ireland’s citizens seem much more unified in their goals for the country. A positive thing about U.S. culture is that in my experience, it is easier to make friends as an adult. / American innovation and creativity is the most positive aspect. The most negative is gun violence, the cost of healthcare, the cost of university education. / Americans are usually very direct. But we also can be loud and uninformed. / Positive: A sense of optimism and overcoming odds. Negative: Overzealous, with unquestioning patriotism. / Americans are go-getters and raised with that can-do attitude. But ugh, Donald Trump. Like FFS. / The drive and initiative to do better. The negative is that drive has been limited to an individualistic mindset. Big

but I don’t know if that is true anymore.” “I would have said positive is freedom of speech and expression

ideas need communities to make them happen. / Positive - We like things done quickly and efficiently (next day shipping, Amazon prime) Negative - Less time for vacation from work. / I think Americans have incredible work ethic but I think the work culture in America unhealthy, the healthcare system is a disgrace and there needs to be gun control. / Positive: The land of opportunity! There’s always a way to make money and reach your goals a lot quicker. Negative: Politics! We’re a divided nation and I don’t see that changing any time soon. / We’re happy people but we do think the world revolves around us. / I think Americans are very innovative and adapt to change well. We are friendly and open and many of us embrace diversity. On the negative side, we tend to be quite insulated from the outside world and are sometimes ignorant about other countries. / All about the consumer. Everything is big, big and bigger. A big downfall is the amount of debt one person goes into for their “American dream.” / Positive - Customer service. Love Christmas in the States, strangers wishing you Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. Negative - Loud, can be rude, pushing in open spaces. / Positive: You can work hard and do well. Negative: Donald Trump and the emboldened followers who have made America very unkind. / Positive - Friendly, outgoing, easy to meet people and make friends. Negative - Work too much - very high rate of crime/ fear of crime. / If you work hard you can achieve your dreams but many minorities struggle. / Positive - Multiculturalism Negative - Individualism (i.e. belief that health care isn’t a right when it is almost everywhere else). / Americans have a “can do” attitude in the South that I love and miss . The pride of my fellow Americans is also pretty great . Negative for me - Gun culture is a big deal and a big negative for our family. A shooter who had already killed one person was shot dead by deputies trying to get into my daughters high school. They were in lockdown. I love that Ireland is gun-free to most people. Another negative for me is the fake religious crap that nobody lives by but likes to act like they do (at least in the south) while cherry picking what they want to bible thump about. The overuse of all meds including opioids and mental health meds is defo a negative. / Most positive is the convenience of it all. Most negative is the political climate between both political parties. / Land of opportunity, where you can be anything. Including being a dick. America is a spectrum, fantastic highs, and some terrible lows. / Variety and options are the main positive aspects. Negative is safety, culture, and family values. Not to mention the price of everything. / I really wish Americans were less frightened of everything. Gun culture. Fear of communists/socialism/ Russia/China etc. It’s all fearbased control. I don’t know how universal healthcare is more frightening than what is happening already in the U.S. I love the Constitution, especially our commitment to freedom of thought and speech. Living in other countries has made me appreciate this more. / Freedom. Can be yourself. Negative: Sense of being right. / Positive: Shopping, jobs based on experience and not the piece of paper you hold. Negative: Consumerism, self centred attitudes, Christians that talk the talk but don’t walk the walk. / Negative is the abundance of political debate. Always. Every term. Every president. Positive is the sense that you can achieve whatever you want and for the most part, people support your endeavors to create something new. / The wide variety of cultures and cultural traditions is the positive and the increasing political divide and negative rhetoric is the negative. / Most positive - The opportunities available to you as an American citizen, either within or outside of the country. Most negative - the political and social climate, including the discrimination and unequal treatment of minorities, the lack of gun regulations, police brutality, etc. / You really can achieve anything in the U.S. Hard work and connections pay off. From a negative standpoint, there’s still so so much racism in the U.S. The gun culture is horrendous. And the resistance to be open to any other culture having something to offer because “America is the greatest country in the world” is a real downside. / Positive would be freedom of speech, religion and thoughts. Negative would be the racism engrained in U.S. society. / Most positive is how we are taught to believe we can achieve whatever we want though the negative are the gun laws. / Positive: Friendly. Negative: A lot of people in the U.S. forget that there is also the rest of the world. / Positive - More opportunities Negative - Guns, racism, sexism, Trump, the attitude to always need more and bigger, no work/ life balance. / I honestly hate what the U.S. has become. I was so stressed all the time and politically and morally the country is a disaster. I would never return. / Positive is that Americans are generally more friendly initially and it’s easier to make friends. Negative would be the backwards progress of people’s rights and nationalism. / People in USA are a bit dramatic but you can share your feelings. / Positive definitely is the friendly and confident nature of Americans. People talk to strangers, go out of their way to make friends and have a strong belief in themselves which I think, good or bad, Irish people don’t really have. Negative is the close-mindedness, that Americans treat America as the greatest country on earth and refuse to learn from their neighbours or admit that the country could be better. / You can achieve whatever you set your mind to. Nothing is ever enough, you must try harder, buy more, climb the ladder. / Positive is the amazing resilience of the American people when things go wrong. Negatives? The sad attitudes of a cynical view of life. / Positive: It’s enormous, diverse, and energetic (at least

But ugh, Donald Trump. Like, FFS.” “Americans are go-getters and raised with that can-do attitude.

in most urban areas). Negative: Anti-intellectual and narrow-minded. / Positive is that Americans tend to be personally outgoing and driven to do things, the negative is they tend to seriously fragment along the lines of opinion. / Most positive - The amount of selections we have. Most negative - The violence. / It is home. But it is too crowded and stressful. / Positive - Americans are always searching for more friends and a bigger community. Negative - Americans cannot see past America. / Positive aspect about U.S. is hope, ambition and a go-getter attitude. Also, and quite simply, convenience. I know that one is a double-edged sword, but I miss how everything (and many of those “everythings”) are so easily accessible. Negatives about U.S. would be the entitlement, the know-it-all mentality and the general lack of genuine connection and community support. I lived in multiple States across the U.S. and as hard as I’d try, I always felt alone or isolated. It was difficult to make friends at every age. / It’s easy to get things done but generally negative - I am perpetually disappointed by Americans. I’ll never move back. / Currently? The administration and what it’s bringing out in the American people.

what is your opinion of the word “plastic paddy?”

/ Never heard this word before! Is this really a thing? / I think it is funny. And apt, but I mostly think of it as being for the cheap tat one can buy with shamrocks all over it and “Kiss me I’m Irish.” It is very weird to encounter a tourist shouting about how they have Irish roots and blah blah blah / Don’t bother. / It doesn’t really bother me. I don’t try to be Irish so no one says it to me. I think if someone is trying to be Irish or convince people that they’re Irish then they’re called that. / Usually someone trying to hard to be included and making fun of Irish customs or dress. / It’s unfortunate - but I can see where some American people bring it on themselves. / I think it is an ugly term. / I haven’t heard that term used but the longer I am in Ireland the more surprised I am by how Irish the typical Irish-American considers themselves even if they have never been to Ireland or rarely visit. / Associate it with Notre Dame football fans and a lot of American tourists in Ireland. So to answer the question, not a very high opinion. / I hadn’t thought about this before. I would say it refers to non-native Irishness. / Can partially understand it as some Irish Americans are over the top. / I think it is an insult. It is a derogatory name for a member of the Irish Diaspora, of which both myself and my Husband are a member of that group. It infers that we are somehow less Irish because we were not born on the island of Ireland. It is used to put down or put in place a child or descendant of an Irish Immigrant born abroad. / I get a kick out of it. I was called that amongst the Irish while living in San Francisco. Usually was said in good fun. Not in a negative way. / I can understand it. My own family has a lot of Irish heritage that they’re proud of. Yet, they are flabbergasted by my husband’s Irish name (and any Irish names). They also were very mixed up by the ROI versus the UK. I’ve met a lot of other Americans who are quite similar. They have all the pride in the world for their Irish heritage and love to tell people that they’re Irish…but they really know very little about the country or have a very stereotyped image. / I have no idea what that is referring to. / I feel like if the Irish themselves use it, it’s their business. I would not. / While I find it derogatory - especially if used to refer to me! - I think it does have a place with regard to Irish-Americans who haven’t a clue about the reality of Ireland. / I feel like that’s an American in America who says they’re “Irish” but, really, they’re American. / It’s a common non-immigrant/ immigrant dynamic. I’ve seen similar terms used by Swedes, Poles and Germans about their diaspora. Separated communities evolve separately. / Someone who tries and wants to be Irish but doesn’t fully understand the nuances of the culture or way of life. / I think it's funny (though I’ve gone into rants about how my ancestors were just smart enough to move instead of starve to death). / The word isn’t as bad as the existence of the non-native Irishness…I don’t mind the Guinness and the nice sweaters, but the plastic shamrocks and leprechauns are tacky in whatever culture you examine. / Never heard the term. I do hate, and am ashamed of, the American interpretation of Irishness in the form of leprechauns etc. / Some Americans can be a little over the top. / I find it very offensive. / I find all forms of fake Irishness quite offensive for Irish people; I cringe when I see Americans claiming to be Irish and “Americanising” Irish customs and culture. / Not kosher. / Only ever see it in newspapers around St. Patrick’s day. / I think they’re right in being offended by it. No other culture is as clichéd as the Irish. Of course this is because they’re so loved by all, but I can understand why they would get sick of it. / I thinks it’s good in a way… The Irish are loved all over the world and descendants are proud of their heritage. Irish people who never left don’t understand this connection though. / It’s mean-spirited and closeminded to other expressions of identity / I really don’t like it. We’re Irish and it’s hurtful. America took in so many Irish and while I know it wasn’t easy for them I don’t think it’s very nice to roll one’s eyes and laugh at us just because we were born elsewhere. I genuinely don’t like it and it does leave me upset when I hear it. / Never heard of it. But Americans should stop claiming to be “Irish.” Be proud of your ancestry, but don’t try to culturally appropriate. / No idea what this even is. All

‘cause 'America is the greatest country in the world' is a real downside.” “The resistance to be open to any other culture having something to offer

I can think of is a McDonald’s burger…plastic paddy. / I understand completely why Irish people are annoyed about Americans calling themselves Irish. I think once you spend some time here you do realise being Irish transcends ethnicity and is much more about culture, which those Americans don’t share. / Meh… it doesn’t bother me. I’m not native Irish so I don’t pretend to be. / Probably accurate. I have to tell Americans that my husband was born in Ireland otherwise they assume he is IrishAmerican and say, oh yeah, my brother in law is Irish. But you know the man has never even been to Ireland. / I’ve never heard it before, sounds derogatory. / It’s a tad derogatory. I don’t really care about the word. / For years I would dress up in green and go out in South Boston on St. Patrick’s day and pretend I was Irish for a day so I don’t really care. Let everyone be Irish for a day! / It’s a laugh. / I don’t know because I never felt my Irish heritage made me Irish. I’m Irish now because of the length of time I have lived here. In a small island country where people married others from nearby parishes for years it is difficult for heritage to be considered the same way as the Americans do. So I understand how they may challenge it. But this may change as Ireland becomes more multicultural. / Don’t mind. I’m not Irish and don’t pretend to be. / I don’t like it at all. I’ve never heard this before and don’t really have an opinion. It reminds me of us calling people Rhinestone cowboys at home.

Do you try to neutralize your accent to sound more Irish? Why or why not?

/ Absolutely not! I’m from the American South, that’s who I am, why would I ever change the way I sound? / Not consciously, but I've been told my voice changes depending on who I'm talking to. But I've moved a lot growing up so my English is an amalgamation of people I've known (my parents are not English speakers). / No, but I’ve been here nearly 15 years so I do say some words "more Irish" than I used to. Also I believe my sentence structure has changed, both speaking and writing. But if I hear a different regional Irish accent than I’m used to, I start to uncontrollably mimic it and that sucks! / No. Nothing sounds more ridiculous than an American trying to sound Irish. / Not on purpose, but after 14 years it is not particularly Minnesota anymore. / No! I have friends who do and I think it’s just silly. I’m proud to be from the U.S. and I don’t think I’ll ever change my accents or use terms like “quid”, “grand” or “craic”. When people do that it seems like they’re trying too hard in my opinion. / Absolutely not, I will use some of the Irish words but not with an accent. Don’t have one and won’t try to. / I try to use Irish vocabulary to be easily understood and because I think the words used here are nicer and make more sense than American vocabulary. I don’t worry about my accent, it’s just how I talk and if people don’t like it I don’t mind them. / No - never have and never will - but my children did when we first moved here (it calmed down after a while). / Definitely not, I wouldn't see any reason to. / No but it creeps in after a half decade. At least that’s what my us friends at home say. No one here seems to hear it, which I’m grateful for. Maybe once in a while I enjoy fitting in slightly more with a lad here and an extra so there. / Never. Never saw any reason to do it. Though I have found it amusing that folks here tell me "You haven't lost the accent" and folks in the U.S. have sometimes told me "I can't understand your accent." I think it is probably more that I have unconsciously assimilated some of the rhythms of speech in the county where I live and picked up a few colloquialisms than the accent in both cases. / I don’t try to - it does just happen. That is a part of living abroad, I think, you use colloquialisms and sometimes people can’t understand my accent, so naturally over time it has softened. I have noticed occasionally that I soften my accent around my boss - so maybe that’s a subconscious approval thing. But with my friends and colleagues, no I don’t try to change it. / No…you can't help but pick up the slang, but if you try to sound more Irish you will get the piss taken out of you, I feel they will think you're not genuine either. / No. That would be obnoxious. / No, I don’t think accent is important, it’s what you say not how you say it. / No. And it annoys me when I hear other Americans do this. I am true to myself and where I lived for 36 years of my life. / Absolutely not. I find the Irish are difficult to understand. I like my clear accent. / No, but use Irish vernacular. / No, but I know it happens naturally. Even in the U.S. I tend to unconsciously emulate the speech patterns of the person I'm taking to. / Absolutely, was told from day one to "blend" and to not stand out. / For some words I find it more natural now to use the Irish way if speaking or vowel sounds because it sounds more normal to me. My American accent has softened, and sometimes I make sure I don’t sound as nasally depending on who I’m talking to (as to not stand out). / No. I am who I am. My accent is a part of me. However, when I lived in Cork my accent naturally started to change. In an attempt to be better understood I have undertaken an Irish syntax. I have a naturally soft and flat accent. Any changes occurred naturally. I think if something changes naturally then it is a genuine change, which is fine. I don't think you should ever go out of your way to change or deny your origins. *Note - with the rise in anti-immigrant sentiment here there are certainly times when I have felt threatened in the company of some Irish people and in those instances I do try - for my own protection - to tone down. / No I am just myself. But I have been told my accent sounds more Irish now. / No. Be who you are. / Uh no! I am who I am and they

attempt to be better understood I have undertaken an Irish syntax." "When I lived in Cork my accent naturally started to change. In an

can accept me or not as I am. / I often start to unintentionally pick up an Irish accent when I'm around a lot of Irish people. But I'll admit I try to purposely put on a bit of an accent if I'm interacting with someone whose help I need (like a plumber). This is because I've noticed that my Irish husband tends to get better service than I do. / I don’t actively try to neutralize my accent though so have heard from American friends that I sound a little bit Irish on the phone. Inflection changes naturally over time with acculturation. / No, my American accent is pretty flat and when I try to do an Irish accent I sound like a pirate. / A bit, but not so much that people think I'm trying to pass myself off as native-born. I do it to stand out a little bit less, but also to help ensure I am understood when I speak. / Yes because I hate when people gear me and automatically say "oh are you here on holiday?" Or "how long are you here for?" / I talk the way I have always have in terms of accent, but I will use Irish words instead at times in order to be better understood by people. / Nope. Never been able to do accents. I will shift pronunciation for some words because I'm lazy and it saves repeating myself. / I don’t try to sound more Irish but I will speak quieter when I feel people are staring at me because of my accent. I will also use some (very few) Irish words because I have become sick of hearing people say things like “trash” to me in an American accent when I am looking for the “bin”. / No way, wouldn't even know how to do that, but I do think certain words have assimilated into my daily conversation. / No I’d sound terrible lol. / Yes. I feel I am automatically judged or assumed a tourist if I speak like I would in the U.S. / Nah. I'm from Boston so they love it. Easy to break the ice with it. / Nope…I’m 60 years old and I am who I am…I like to try to pronounce towns and words correctly, but the way I talk is pretty set…if it happens naturally, that’d be fine. / I don't try. I do pick up accents of people I'm talking to unintentionally. / No, I want to be myself. A lot of people in America from my hometown say that I sound Irish now. Which concerns me for those that believe I'm putting it on. / No there’s no need you just sound fake. / No, I just speak normally but have picked up some jargon. Got sick of being made fun of for how I pronounced words like “vitamin”, so have made small changes like that. It’s impossible to hid who you are so why try? / Yes! 100% - It’s easier to be taken seriously with a neutral accent than an American accent here. / No I want to be accepted for who I am. / Nah haha, no way I could. I'm very southern. I've actually never met anyone in Ireland who sounds as southern as I do but I would like to. I think people where I come from never leave to go up north much less leave the country…I don’t expect to meet many people from where I'm from out of Alabama. I do go home a couple of times a year to see everyone. / No, but I don’t talk sometimes. / No, but I feel as though I unknowingly do that to avoid attention and that dreaded question, oh you aren't from here, where are you from? / I've certainly picked up some aspects of the Irish Accent, but I’m still recognizably a New Yorker. Even after 30 years! / I try not to but it's difficult to not naturally pick up an accent. However people get put off by it so I try to restrain myself. / I don't think I try to sound Irish and I don't think I would convince anyone, but people have noticed my accent has changed since I've moved here. / No, I am proud of where I come from. However, I am finding, through family and friends back home, that as much as I’m trying not too, I am losing my American accent quickly (it’s been 4 years so makes sense I guess). / I do, mostly because it doesn’t bring up questions about Trump or how long I’ve been here. / Yes I do. In taxis. 100% of the time. It helps avoid so much. / Yes and no. I go through phases where I want to blend in and times where I want to stand out. / Constantly. Mainly in hopes I won’t be asked where I’m from. It gets tiring. / No - I’m actually embarrassed of the idea of developing an Irish accent because I don’t want people I know back in the U.S. to read into it or think it’s due to pretentiousness, or people here to think I’m “trying too hard.” I do use different terms sometimes for the sake of being understood. / I have not made any active attempts to conceal or change my accent but I live in Donegal and the accent is so so strong up here that it’s made its way into my speech these days. / No, I don’t see the point and also I am visibly not from here. / Yes because I’m always treated like a tourist or outsider but this is my home. It makes it feel a lot less homey and makes me homesick. / No. Don’t need to. I am who I am. I don’t try and be someone I’m not. / Not consciously, but I know I have picked up loads of words. I moved a lot so no one ever knows where I'm from anyway. / No. I use Irish terms which makes me sound a bit more Irish (like boot, lorry etc.), but I have no reason to hide who I am by hiding my American accent. / It kind of came naturally so yeah I guess. You’re not going to continue using "trash" (even though they know what you are referring to) when they use the word "rubbish." "Boot" is "trunk," "sitting room" is "living room," "press" is "cupboard," "biscuit" is "cookie," and "chips" are "fries." Once you start learning the language the rest just comes naturally. / Yes and no, I think naturally you begin speaking like those around you. I think at first I did a bit but I don’t think it would be convincing even if I tried really hard to sound more Irish. / No - it seems disingenuous to me. My accent has naturally softened, and my vocabulary has shifted to Irish words, but I make an effort to maintain my native accent. / No. It would sound fake and silly. I’m comfortable with my accent and who I am.

It gets tiring." "Constantly. Mainly in hopes I won’t be asked where I’m from.