Ireland: Day 1
Greetings from Listowel, Co. Kerry! The next time you hear about me, it may well be because I have a number one record, as I just gave the karaoke performance of a lifetime at The Maid of Erin. This could be my last holiday when I'm not being stalked by the paparazzi.
Before my karaoke triumph, we went to drinks and dinner. In that time, 3 separate people asked us how we liked Bush. Interesting, as the other three members of my travelling party had no idea who the prime minister of Ireland is. It's a good reality check for Americans to travel abroad.
The bartender at the karaoke place went on and on about how much he loved Bill Clinton, telling us about the statue of him just down the road at Ballybunion. He said it's a great statue, but it looks more like Kennedy than Clinton. Then we all talked about Kennedy v. Clinton for awhile, and how a monkey could do a better job than Bush. The bartender said he didn't like the man, but also didn't care too much as long as he doesn't invade Ireland. I said they were probably safe as long as no oil was discovered.
Then he said that in this part of Ireland it's common to answer rhetorically by saying 'Is Rose Kennedy's dress black?' As in, in reply to the question 'Raining again, is it?' by saying 'Is Rose Kennedy's dress black?' I know that there's a connection between the Irish and the Kennedys, but I'd never heard anyone directly speak of it.
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I pride myself on being an articulate girl, and also on picking up quickly on local custom and idiom. So it was especially hard for me to deal with the following exchange at a shop here in Listowel:
Me: Do you sell Band-Aids here?
Shopkeeper: Blank stare.
M: Do you sell Band-Aids here?
SK: I'm sorry?
M: Plasters maybe? Do you have plasters or Band-Aids here?
SK: I'm sorry?
M: Oh, I see them behind the counter right here...Band Aids (pointing)...
SK: Cigarettes?
M: No, Band-Aids, to cover a blister. Band-Aids.
SK: (shakes head helplessly)
Man behind me in line: She's after Band-Aids.
SK: Oh! Band-Aids! Here you go.
M: Thanks (to helpful man in line)
Man in line: (leans in conspiratorially) It's your accent.
I rendered that whole exchange phonetically too. I swear there's no difference between the Irish was of saying Band-Aid and mine. I would have thought they were having me on if they hadn't been so nice.
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