Ireland/Italy VS US

Coins

Here in the US we hate carrying change and will leave it building up in a jar at home.   In Ireland coins add up quite fast. Since there’s no paper money less than a five euro bill, a pocketful of coins can easily add up to a pint of beer or an Irish breakfast roll.

Always carry cash

We have become accustomed to using our debit and credit cards for everything.  In Ireland and Italy there are still quite a few places that only accept cash.  Always keep euro in your pocket.

Looking left when crossing the street (IRELAND)

Since cars drive on the left side in Ireland, you have to look right before crossing the street. This takes some time to get used to.  When we rent a car I always have to remind my husband to look right and stay left.  

Don’t think the “third floor” is literally the third floor of the building

Mot times the first floor is actually called the “ground floor.” The next level up is called the “first floor” and then the “second floor” is the level after that, which is literally the third floor. This can be confusing sometimes.

Police and people carrying guns

You will not see Garda (the Irish police) or civilians packing heat. However you will in Italy.  In Italy you will see the police marked as carabinieri or guardia.

Late night trips to a super center and doing all you shopping in one place

There are no super centers and the stores all close early. If you need a video game, a cake pan, a bath towel and a loaf of bread, plan on stopping at four stores all before they close at 19:00, or sooner.

Buying in bulk

There are several reasons why buying in bulk is not common in Ireland. There are no club stores like Sam’s Club or Costco, refrigerators are absurdly small (think college dorm room size) and whatever you buy at the store you need to carry home.

Eating fries with ketchup

In Ireland chips (french fries to us ) come with vinegar and salt and/or mayonnaise. However with more and more Americans traveling overseas they won’t look at you funny if you ask for ketchup.

Washing your hands with warm water

Remember separate hot and cold water faucets?  There’s a reason those went out of fashion in the U.S. … decades ago. Having the choice between washing your hands with freezing cold water and water that can boil anything is like choosing the lesser of two evils, and could be why I often witness people going to the bathroom and not washing their hands.

Tipping

 Here in the US we seem to tip for everything.  In Ireland it is very uncommon to tip your bartender.  It is ok to leave a couple euros at a restaurant.  It is the same with Italy. 

Expecting free refills

Free refills are very hard to find.

Looking for street signs on the street corners

I’m not sure why anyone would think it’s a better idea to have street signs attached to the side of buildings in the general vicinity of street corners than on actual signposts on the street corners. This is only if there is a street sign. Sometimes, there just isn’t. 

Don’t talk politics

Ireland tends to lean towards Democrats.  It is best not to get into a political discussion. 

Getting pizza with garlic butter

If you ask for garlic butter - they might look at you weird.  Just saying.

Having A/C

It never really gets cold in Ireland – so if you do have a hot day by chance you won’t really see any air conditioners.  I am finding them more and more in Italy but don’t expect it. 

Taking a hot shower by turning on the faucet

It is very common to have a water heater attached to the shower.  You must turn the water heater on first or you won’t have hot water.

Don’t expect cars to stop for pedestrians and crossing the street at crosswalks

Crossing the street wherever and whenever you feel like is totally acceptable. However, do NOT expect cars to stop for you.

Clothes dryers

It’s normal to NOT have a clothes dryer. And even if you do, most people still just hang their clothes to dry on a clothesline outside or clothes rack indoors.  So when you do laundry in Venice – don’t be surprised if you have to hang your clothes to dry.

Sipping ice cold drinks

Ice cubes, where art thou? Not in Ireland or Italy. Also, room-temperature soda and beer happens more often than I’d like. However in Ireland the more modern pubs are installing Budweiser extra cold taps.  If you want ice you have to ask for it.

Don’t expect to see Wednesday in the middle of the week on calendars

Irish and Italian calendars tend to start with Monday.

Finding your favorite US foods

Obviously the food is different in another country. I expected that. But it doesn’t mean I’m not going to complain about it. Heartbreakingly, these foods just don’t exist in Ireland: Mountain Dew, Twizzlers, Cheddar Jalapeno Cheetos, ranch dressing, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, peanut butter that actually spreads without ruining your toast, tater tots, Peanut Butter M&M’s, Italian sausage, oh and real American bacon. Sigh.  I have grown quite fond of Tayto Cheese and Onion Crisps in Ireland and Paprika Crisps in Italy.

Even though they speak English – understanding what they say

When people speak with an accent, you have to actively listen. Some Irish accents are so strong you swear they aren’t speaking English.   Plus some of the terms they use are not common to us.  It can be exhausting listening and understanding.  It Venice quite a few people speak English but there are many that don’t.  You forget what it is like to have a simple conversation.  When we hear another American we tend to gravitate to them for easy conversation.

“Craic” in Ireland

If someone says “Where’s the craic?” they are in fact not asking you where they can find some crack cocaine. Actually they are asking where the fun is at. 

Fil-LAY in Ireland

The chicken fillet roll, that’s fil-LIT, is an institution in Ireland. This delicacy is super cheap, dangerously messy, and can be purchased almost anywhere.

Lots of History

In the U.S., you usually have to travel long distances to see anything classified as historical and even then the history is nothing like that of which you can find in the Old World. Ireland has structures dating back to 3200 B.C. and countless buildings, walls, castles and streets that are older than America. Italy is just amazing with so much history and architecture.