Here is a list of things to keep in mind when in Ireland. This isn't to scare you but to try to seem less like an ignorant foreigner.
- They drive on the left side of the road. As a pedestrian don't just look left, look right. As a driver, good luck.
- If someone offers you tea they actually want you to have some, so don't think that saying no thank you is the right or polite thing to do. If you want some, just say yes.
- Don't whistle to hail a cab, its rude.
- Know how much and when to tip. Some restaurants add tip in for you and have some indication for it, others have tip jars rather than tipping at the table. Other instances like taxis, B&Bs, hotels, and tour guides don't expect a tip but if you decide to around 10% is nice. And lastly pubs, don't tip, its not done, some people want to serve you because that’s what they like to do and a tip can be offending.
- Traffic in Ireland can happen because of animals.
- Irish is the second language in Ireland so signs will be in Irish, there’s usually both English and Irish on there so don’t panic.
- They also have an intricate slang that would be good to at least hear once before if you plan on keeping up in conversations
- The Irish have a long history of fighting especially with the British. They are not the same and watch what you say about Britain in Ireland.
- In Ireland the room where you poop is referred to as the toilet.
- The Internet is not going to be like the US. It wont be as fast so don’t rely on it, besides there’s much more to enjoy past the computer screen.
- Get your round in. When drinking, if your friends bought you a round, return the favor or be the stingy foreigner.
- Do you want a bit of craic? You might hear this one which is Irish slang for do you wanna have some fun? which doesn't require crack cocaine.
- Do as the locals do and you should be ok. That doesn't mean abandon who you are, you are foreign and people will notice, trying too hard to fit in might make it worse. Like saying I'm Irish, your Irish, same same, no, very different. Embrace that you have assimilated to your countries culture and try to represent it well.
- You have been warned, the Irish are sarcastic and have a great sense of humor. Don't take things to seriously.
- Don’t try out your Irish accent. It sounds like your making fun of it and it makes you look like a fool.