TWO THINGS STRIKE every Irish person when he comes to America, Irish friends tell me: the vastness of the country, and the seemingly endless desire of its people to talk about their personal problems. Two things strike an American when he comes to Ireland: how small it is, and how tight-lipped. An Irish person with a personal problem takes it into a hole with him, like a squirrel with a nut before winter. He tortures himself and sometimes his loved ones, too. What he doesn't do, if he has suffered some reversal, is vent about it to the outside world. The famous Irish gift of gab is a cover for all the things they aren't telling you.
Irish immigrants in America often notice the vastness of the country and the openness of people who readily share their personal issues. In contrast, Americans visiting Ireland are struck by the country's small size and the reserved nature of its inhabitants. This cultural difference highlights how Irish people tend to internalize their struggles, hiding their problems like squirrels stashing nuts for winter.
Instead of openly discussing their challenges, a typical Irish person prefers to keep their hardships private, sometimes causing pain for themselves and their loved ones. While known for their eloquence, this ability to communicate is often a mask for emotions and issues that remain unspoken.
