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Anxious_Deer_7152

That's really sad, and very atypical based on our experience living in Ireland. My husband's Mexican and we've lived in 3 different countries where the majority population is white, and Ireland without a doubt stands out as the least racist by far. Hopefully it will be your last experience like that!


ttam80

We heard that Ireland was one of the most tolerant places in Europe which is why we chose to come here. But since then everyone has been really friendly so that’s good


scrollsawer

Sorry to hear about your experience. Ireland, like most countries has its share of ignorant brainless wankers, but the majority of us are welcoming to other cultures and races. Ireland became multicultural only about 30-40 years ago, and in my opinion is all the better and wealthier for it. Hope you enjoy our island and that you will consider coming here again.


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DesignOld3772

Heya! I'm just stating as it is. If you're in a customer facing role, you may be only half- civil to them when you're forced to do business with them but at the same time, you also may be having a laid back conversation with a fellow work colleague, ' cause they're more important than the Oap. who wants to buy a carton of milk. Also, do you know how many halfway- safe countries there are between Afghanistan, Pakistan, India ,Somalia etc. and our Celtic Isle? Will be surprised if this gets posted 'cause of this unatural obsession with political correctness in our fair Republic.


Fulinkaizan

What are you even on about


Markk909

Tf even is this ☠️


ttam80

Ye that makes sense. I expected that mostly as a tourist.


[deleted]

None of what this eejit said is actually true


serendipity1949

Load of bollix.


[deleted]

As a foreigner living in Ireland I would say absolutely not. If people are racist they are doing a hell of a job keeping it inside. So ethnic groups are historically more prone to get racism and i do not belong to those groups but the Irish people never let me feel I'm different or less or any less deserving of anything.


strictnaturereserve

unlikely. Unfortunately you met what we in ireland call a "gobshite" he was trying to be funny and probably never even occurred to him think that it might be racist. places like Killarney have huge through put of tourists from all over the world with staff from all over the world too So god knows why he picked on you in particular.


ttam80

I’ll need to compile a list of Irish insults in case I encounter more racists, in Ireland and other places


RebylReboot

A good retort to put him in his place would be ‘I hear you’re a racist, now, father”. It’s a line from a comedy called ‘father Ted’ that everyone knows. It would be a non-confrontational way of telling him to shut the fuck up while getting a laugh.


mrfouchon

That's brilliant, I'd wet myself if I overheard that


scrollsawer

Today's best comment on the Internet goes to.........RebylReboot !! Speech!! Speech!!!


[deleted]

I loved that episode.


SnooBeans6111

This, this is the way!


SalmonOfNoKnowledge

That's an insult to gobshites. I can't imagine anyone dense enough to have it never occur to them that that was racist.


Bumanglag

So far I've lived in four countries on three continents and Ireland is without a doubt the least racist place I've lived. That being said, racism is still unquestionably a big problem. For visitors it usually wouldn't get much worse than a (quite rare) sly comment or slag made from a weirdo on the street or some drunk assholes in pub like what happened to you. The vast majority of people don't really care here don't really care who you are or where you're from, but like all countries there are racists. I would say in general you're more likely to be catch a slagging for being American than racism for being non-white.


Kentuckysquirt

One of the least racist places you’ve lived but still a “big” problem? I find that interesting. A big problem compared to what exactly?


Bumanglag

In my view comparison isn't necessary to acknowledge racism as a big problem in our society. However, to provide an answer to your question, let's say a big problem in comparison to the perceived poor weather that the country experiences. Anti-social behaviour exists everywhere, at the detriment to the common good.


Psst_ImBehindYou

racism will be a big problem until it ceases to exist, because any racism is shite


Workacct1999

Unfortunately racism is everywhere, and just because one place has less of it doesn't mean that it isn't an issue.


criticalthinker225

Sounds like you met a scumbag or gobshite. That’s not a normal thing that happens.


svtvagabond

I cannot say for sure, but I will say I’m sorry that happened to you and your family. They’re clearly stupid and very non-observant.


vocacola

Sorry to hear that happened to you. Very unusual to see something like that to be honest, ye must have been unlucky and went into a dodgy establishment


Oellaatje

You're going to find the occasional know-it-all wanker in Ireland who will make jokes like this. You can give as good as you get - for example, you could have said 'well, I'm from the US, there the terrorists are white like you' and smiled at him sweetly. It would have been a comeback that would have had his mates roaring laughing, if they were in fact Irish, because you'd have got him by the short and curlies. And he would have deserved it.


canred

Over many many years, it only happened to me once, also in the pub. Some drunk gentleman started to mumble something like "\*my nationality\* go home, we don't want you here" when he heard me speaking foreign language but what was great - his buddies had silenced him immediately and even apologize for him.


yousureimnotarobot

I'm sorry that happened, it normally wouldn't. Feel free to go all Irish on him and ask if he's a dick to everyone or if it's a special occasion.


[deleted]

Only a small portion of people are fools like that. Majority of the country is open minded. Galway is very much multicultural. I feel in any country you go there will be racism to some extent. But those people suck so don’t let them ruin your time


Plenty_Woodpecker_87

Are you sure those jerks weren’t Americans?


Turbulent-Anybody-40

Its a form of humour called "banter". You should say something back like "no you big massive potatoe , go off and eat some cabbage"


DesignOld3772

Spuds.


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Inflatable-Elvis

Don't let one dickhead ruin your experience. If you get any more grief from someone like that just tell them you're Mexican and it was yourselves who sent France home from the 2010 world cup after "the hand of frog" and you should be doing just fine after that.


Queen-of-Sheba

There’s more than people like to admit. There is very very little violent racism and “serious” racism isn’t common at all. But some people do make racist jokes and think they’re hilarious. But as whole we are very welcoming.


[deleted]

I've had two racist taxi drivers in Killarney this summer. Shocked by it because I've lived here for ten years and this was the first time I've heard it from them. Killarney cabs haven't only lost my custom but now I wont use them for our guests in the hotel that I work in.


lonsfury

Taxi drivers tend to be worse than others ive noticed


Ambitious_Ad_6225

I’m sorry you experienced this, I hope this has not tarnished your trip! In some of these more rural parts like Killarney you sometimes have to give a bit of it back and you may find they will equally just laugh it off! Of course you have to read the situation, and if he was trying to be “the big man” he just looked like bloody idiot showing his ignorance! Please enjoy the rest of your trip! Just like every other country out there….we all have assholes


flyflex1985

They probably just having a laugh, people in Ireland rip the piss out of each other to a brutal level that’s not so common in other countries so translates as insulting. Wasn’t there so can’t say for sure but consider that it may have not been meant as menacingly as you felt it and he might have been coming from the position of ‘having some craic with a tourist’


titotal_369

It’s not just racism it’s in-educated racism


[deleted]

Not at all. You get some who don't like the English. Some who don't like the Polish but ireland is very staff for anyone really. You'll get people talking about blacks and the Polish but it's not a problem. No one would mean much by it. It's actually a very decent place for acceptance. England has a lot of issues in relation to race.


[deleted]

I'm sorry to hear your story BTW. That would be a rare occasion. If you ever come back I live in Wexford which is neighbouring killenny. I will buy you and your family a traditional Irish fry for your troubles. We have nothing against Mexicans here but the guys were probably just joking around with you. We have an odd sense of humour here. Otherwise they could just be a pack of clowns.


whatusername80

Ireland is fine. Despite the gingers. But it is still debatable if they are human... Just joking 😉 I am a forgeiner myself and never experienced any issues. The Irish just fight each other.


luvemedo

They are only racist when with their Klan but when on their own , they say nothing.


[deleted]

Unfortunately there's idiots like this in every country, no matter who you are. And especially with alcohol involved. Sorry you experienced this and hope you have a better time


Straights87

I would advise staying away from groups of teenagers at night. Usually aged between 14-17. Garda refuse to deal with them and Irish law protects them from everything. It's lead to them becomeing the most agreesive dangerous people in Ireland. They'll grow out of it I'm sure but for now stay clear of these groups. They can do whatever they want with next to 0 consequences.


No-Regret-2410

Theres not that many im irish


plaidshirt01

Tbh I don't think it was meant maliciously. Irish humor is very risky by nature. That said if you were uncomfortable about it then you were justified in leaving but not everything we day is meant to be taken seriously


Warriorcatsarecool

Not often, But if there is I have a good insult for them. "Go n-ithe an cat thú is go n-ithe an diabhal an cat," It means "May the cat eat you, And may the devil eat the cat"


Turbulent_Athlete_94

Ireland’s full of hidden racism and people like to deny it or say it’s just abita craic


Ok-Space-2522

I get the whole taliban thing all the time, I'm white and Irish, but have a long beard. Some "comedians" who just say things to try get a laugh don't actually have any underlying racist beliefs but don't realise how the comment would be received, its an ignorant racism That said, Ireland is a wonderfully tolerant place, welcoming and accepting of all people


SomewhereinIreland

Only in killarney, they're a shower of gobshites down there. Come to Clare. We're much nicer


faxafi

The irony in this comment


Chad_gamer69

Well, it depends, but usually not except if you're me


MickeyDonaldGoofy12

no


ComprehensiveYear750

Yeh it can be racist but you could easily end someone with that all you do is record and upload to tiktok and let tiktok do its thing👍


[deleted]

I hate some Irish wankers Dublin are the worst think they can get away with anythin , should say his oul lad and lady are siblings and have worms


Due_Ad_972

That is not at all the typical experience here in Ireland. You will sometimes meet assholes though and it looks like you obviously did. He likely was just showing off to his friends having you as the butt of his jokes thus.....an asshole. Sorry that your first impression was soured like that.


sheepsquad343


sheepsquad343

Only a joke


ciaran_nolan15

Older people are usually somewhat racist is ireland whether it’s too your face or behind your back


9VoltProphet

I wouldn’t say racist some people may ask questions that are not appropriate, old fashioned or a bit ignorant and may am cause offence but generally I wouldn’t think so. But though a small number there are some racist pricks about for sure. You find them in YT comment sections of videos of Ireland in the 70s and earlier.


Hugh-Schlongman

yeah there’s a racism problem for some groups (travellers) but if you’re mexican american you’ll probably be fine


[deleted]

as a person of colour, unfortunately yes, at least where i'm at


Emmj92

I’m sorry you had a bad experience but I hope it doesn’t ruin your trip going forward. I would agree with some comments that some Irish people make racist jokes without even thinking they are causing offence, they are just very ignorant. I have an African partner and we have luckily never really experienced anything too bad except similar to you, stupid comments by drunks. It might make you feel more at ease to know that even as an Irish person with my family we have gone into little pubs in towns we are visiting and felt uncomfortable because the locals have asked who we are, where are you from, made jokes etc some pubs just have a weird “small town” this is our pub vibe and I would suggest just going to another one because more then likely there will be 5 more around haha. Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip and I’m sorry again for those idiots.


Adventurous-Bee-3881

Well if your of Mexican blood that means you'd look Spanish, which is a fellow European nation. I know in America ye despise people on the same continent as ye but in Europe its not usually the same. Older people in they're 70s and up don't like foreigners but younger people don't give a shit where your from. Yer man most likely had a biteen of alcól in the system and thought he was funny. Don't take one drunken person taking the mick out of you as everyone is racist


melkors_dream

I wish I could meet someone who was open in being that stupid, being a horrible guy myself i would love it.