Gotta admit, as a dyed-in-the-wool Irishman, I don’t get the whole St. Patrick’s Day thing.
I didn’t even hear about the pinch-if-not-wearing-green thing until I was in high school. I stared at the girl who pinched me and said, “What?” When she explained, I said, “I’m Irish the other 364 days too. I don’t have to wear green.” I’ve stocked up on my corned beef and potatoes and shepherd’s pie rations for the rest of my life. I don’t need to prove to anyone I’m Irish.
As I drove around today — yes! I can operate heavy machinery again! — I saw lots of people wearing something green. One street was blocked off so that the Irish pub could put on a big shindig. I don’t get it. Why are Americans so into this holiday? Is it just an excuse to drink?
I won’t wish you a happy Saint Patrick’s Day then. Then again, where I live it’s now the next day anyway.
Around Montreal it’s definitely an excuse to be completely drunk in public without anyone really caring.
Being part Irish but Protestant I always liked wearing a bit of orange on March 17th.
To answer your question: Yes. (At least as far as I can tell.)
I completely agree. I too am Irish — as in my dad was born there. I have become increasingly aggitated with the holiday for years. It became worse when I moved to New Mexico (25 years ago.) The pinnacle of my aggravation came as I watched all the Hispanics “jiggin’ out” of the closet to claim Irish roots this one day of the year. The rest of the year, Irish are just Gringos. I’m with you — it’s just an excuse for them (and others) to party and drink green beer. *** jami
My brother had a fair bit to say about this on his Irish Kansas City Blog, though in the form of a parody.
It amused me, anyway. And in Ireland, nobody pinches people for not wearing green. Ludicrous idea.
I’m Irish by ancestry as well and I hadn’t heard of this pinching thing until the week before last and I’m 32. Seriously. I had no idea. And I forgot entirely about Saint Patrick’s day and wore pink to work.