Recently I've noticed this term being applied to me as I've grown more engaged in the culture of the country where my parents are from.
I'm a 17 year old Irish-American. My dad is from County Longford and my mom's parents are from Belfast, County Antrim.
I lived in County Westmeath as a kid for 2 years.
I can't say there's anything else in my life that has gotten to me as much as the term "plastic paddy"- especially from an Irish person. It's a complete and utter emotionless slap in the face from everything you take pride in.
Interestingly I've never been called this term in real life, only over the internet. I'm not a "typical" loud American, I'm very quiet and pretty nice and relatively un-American.
So can I just have your opinions please. do I meet the criteria for being considered a "plastic paddy?"
It depends on the color of your hair, your belt, your shoes and your sweater... and whether you call your jumper a "jumper" or a "sweater." If your hair, your belt, and your shoes are white and they match -- and if you wear a pink or a yellow jumper and you call your jumper a "sweater" -- then yes, you are a plastic paddy. Especially if you travel around on a tour bus and brag about your Irish connections.
Otherwise you're either just a Paddy or just a Yank. Off hand I wouldn't think you were a plastic paddy. You can relax.
I think I must be a pastie paddy. Irish lineage on both sides of the family, brought up in Yorkshire, living in Cornwall.
Seriously, you shouldn't let this upset you.Be proud of your background but don't stuff it down people's throats.
Name calling says a lot about the perpetrators but nothing about you. I think I might change my ID. Anyone know the Irish for "plastic paddy"
It's a term which has been frequently used by many people who don't realise its full significance or historic connotations.
In most cases, the intent is harmless but it can obviously still hurt.
I actually used this expression myself as I thought it just referred those people who played and enjoyed the "watered down" Irish pub music which you find all over the world, eg "Whisky in the Jar", "Wild Rover" sort of stuff.
However, since learning much more about the subject I have dropped this from my vocabulary.
At least here in the US, the issue of self-indentification or self-perception by people of Irish ancestry is interesting.
I've met so many people over the years, who were born here, and their parents were born here, and oftentimes their grandparents and even great-grandparents were born here, who nevertheless always identify themselves without hesitation or any sense of irony as "Irish". Not "Irish-American" or "of Irish ancestry" but simply as "Irish".
I have one such friend, Patrick Reilly, born in an Irish ghetto in Chicago. He told me how his "Irishness" was impressed upon him from an early age.
Though people like this know that they are not Irish in the sense of citizenship, they take their "Irishness" seriously and anyone telling them to their face that they are not Irish is asking for a fight.
In many cases these Irish-Americans are result of generations of Irish-Americans marrying each other and therefore as genetically Irish as anyone born in Ireland.
They have often grown up experiencing racism and discrimination due to their ancestry and their Catholic faith.
So who is more "Irish"? The person raised in Ireland though born in the Czech Republic, or the person born in the US of Irish parents?
It's all pretty silly actually.
Oh, and I know some "plasitc pasties" (or "plastic Cousin Jacks") here too!
People who wear their "Cornishness" on their sleeve.
Though my great-grandparents hailed from Tywardreath, I hope I'll never become such.
I love this term. I think it is so stoooopid funny! I've never heard it outside of this website although I gather it does get strewn about in the real world. I imagine it is used mainly by
Irish Americans trying to prove they're more 'Irish' than the next person or by Irish people with similar self image problems. I happen to love drunkenly singing along to Clancy Brothers/Dubliners tunes and I also like playing jigs and reels.
Try not to worry much what people think of you-even less what they call you. Be the best 'you' that you can be and f'ck 'em if they don't like you. Me? I think 'Plastic Paddy would make a great tattoo! Big shamrock, obnoxious leperachaun....
It was a VERY common term used in London in the late 80's/early 90's. By Irish people against 2nd gen London-Irish, who genuinely thought of themselves not as yer ordinary cockney Londoners but as displaced Irish people, of a 2nd generation.
I wouldn't sneer too much if I were you. You are thus sneering at Alec Finn, Kevin Crawford, Kevin Burke, Mick Mulvey, and many many other fine Irish musicians.
I don't know the history/background of any of the these(or any other for that matter) musicians.I Iisten to the music and shy away from interviews, bio's etc....so....I don't quite understand what you're saying. I don't know if you're saying Burke is a Londoner of Irish heritage who was called a 'Plastic Paddy' or if you're saying that he called Irish Londoners 'PP's'.
It makes no difference either way, anyway. It's a silly term and I will sneer at dumbf'cks who use it be they 'fine Irish musicians' or anyone else. In my area we have plenty of Silicon Scots with thier Highland games, Artificial Africans with thier wannabe African names and, my favorite, Wax Wops watching reruns of the Soprano's....see how silly it is?
I second the tattoo, shanty! A great idea! Even better, how about an android-looking leprechaun made of plastic? I also feel a T Shirt coming on...is there a Reverend in the house?
At the risk of quoting Borat, in my country, there is problem. The only real Americans now live on reservations and run casinos, the rest of us are all hyphens. If anyone tells me they're just an American, I always ask them what tribe they are from. That's a joke, folks. Is this thing on? [tap tap tap]
Our dear friend Krick Outhouse's disdain for all those who attempt to hyphenate their ethnicity, especially "Irish-Americans" is well documented here in this forum. However, the great hypocrisy is that when Krick meets a fellow 3rd or 4th generation Londoner whose ancestry happens to be from India or Pakistan, I sincerely doubt he calls them a fellow Briton. We know perfectly well how those folks are identified. So it goes in the great ethnic salad bowl of America. If you're a "Mac" or an "O" you're Irish in perpetuity and so are all the generations henceforth. It's cultural identification and nothing more complicated than that.
You define your self-image. Don't let others do it for you. You are what you believe you are.
I'd go with the wise counsel in the last line of Thistle Day's first post. Actually, that is wise counsel for many thing you (personally and individually) think you must do.
I always hated when my parents discouraged thing I wanted to do with comments like "What will other people think"?" or "That's not what is usually done.".
Who cares what small/narrow minded people think. F-em.
Oh I forgot to mention. Some of our best marital rows have come out of that first question I put in my post. I absolutely hate the concept even 'at my age' (58)
apparently the new name for those of us "of a certain age" is Zoomer....there's a new mag devoted to the topic/us as well...who knew you were such an important demographic? ;)
So long as you are biodegradable, like most of us, you have nothing to be upset about.
Besides, you have Irish heritage and you even spent some of your childhood there. Whoever called you 'plastic' is probably named Polly Ure O'Thane.
I'd suggest that by showing the self respect and humility to even entertain the question, you've negated yourself from being considered a plastic anything, never mind a plastic paddy. And forget what anyone else says about it.
here in the States, on the east coast, there are actualy Irish neighborhoods and very Irish parrishes in the Church, just like there are Italian parrishes and neighborhoods.
My mom's people were Irish, but they've been over here for some time. Some of my friends are very steeped in Irish traditions and culture, though. More than I am.
I asked my grandma about that when she was still with us, and she told me that some of the families that came here during the famines wanted to hang onto thier native culture. They were forced to come here by circumstances, but their hearts were still back home in Ireland.
Our family, though, came here to get away from all the old ways and all the old grudges, so our family didn't keep alot of the traditions going over here
But there's more to it than just everybody wanting to be Irish on St Patrick's Day. Alot of the "Irish-americans" keep traditons alive because of family and community.
I first heard that term being levied at the followers of the Pogues back in the seventies. Between myself, my brothers and sisters, we must have spawned half the plastic paddies in London. Only for the plastic paddies from all parts of the world playing Trad Music, the scene would be in a poor state today, because it was nearly dead on its feet in Ireland in the sixties/seventies.
I suspect the term "Plastic Paddy" has been a riposte to irritation knowingly or unknowingly inflicted by returning exiles or Irish-Americans visiting Ireland, saying (e.g.) "Gee! You guys could *make* something of this place, if only..."
I've very often hear this term aimed by talentless, begruding Irish people at non-Irish people who are playing trad well. It's as though they felt that they had nothing to prove, and that by slouching at the bar with their jeans half way down their arse they were naturals, the authentic thing, unlike the loonies in the corner working so hard at the fiddle and pipes. I am with Thistle Day on this one.
Hmmm, a Gibson Hummingbird, and a Dove, all within a few days. Is there a trend here?
Ciaran - to paraphrase Louis Armstrong (or "Luis" as he was recently referred to around here - wasn't Luis Armstrong the Cuban trombonist that played with both Celia Cruz and Desi Arnaz back in the late Forties?) - "...if you have to ask, you're not..." ...it's just a nasty term used by some folk that are trying to make other folk feel as bad as they do. IMHO.
If you like the music, get yer butt to a session, buddy!
BTW, does anyone know anything about a Neill Wall (or Walls), born around 1801 (fact) in County Cork (as family mythology has it), who ended up in Canada around 1830 or so? My Great-great something or other...
I don't even know how you guys think I have "Irish heritage." That makes it sound like I'm just any other American.
I have Irsh citizenship and partially grew up there. My parents have Irish accents!
I could care less if anyone calls me a plastic paddy anymore but I'm just curious to know what all you think I'm supposed to do? Am I just simply not supposed to visit my grandparents, aunts, unces, cousins, etc. in Ireland? When my parents move back to their country to retire am I just supposed to stop talking to them because any connection to Ireland would make me a "plastic paddy?"
I think some of you (the ones that love to offend others with racial, cultural, and ethnic slurs) don't understand is that we're much more closely related to Ireland than you think. Many of us have dual-citizenship. We are legally "Irish."
I use the hyphen in Irish-American because that's WHAT I AM. I hold citizenship to both countries Why would I lie about my Irish citizenship or vice versa?
And another thing you don't understand is that America is far more diverse than the UK. EVERYONE in the cities states their ethnicicty, puts a hyphen, and puts American afterwards. It's a way to identify yourself with imilar people and actually a really nice thing.
It's an offensive term that really gets to people. If you didn't know that, then I kindly ask that you stop saying it. If you do know it, but refuse to stop saying it, well then I imagine you don't play at too many sessions. It's easy to verbally assault someone over the internet. Try doing it at your next session and see how that works.
Thanks to everyone that was supportive to me; especially the one who sent the email to me. That made me feel better.
I wish you could be one of us American Plastic Paddies. Unfortunately, you can't be one unless you contain phthalates as we do. Without phthalates, you can't be a plastic anything here. Best just to concentrate on being an ordenary, flesh-and-blood American. There is no excuse other than cost for not visiting your grandparents BTW. I'm sure they will always be happy to see you.
Let me count all of the many ways in which derogatory terms could be applied to me (he said sarcastically).
When Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, some of my ancestors were already living here in what the European explorers eventually named "North America". The rest of my ancestors seem to have come here from various destinations in Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales while the United States was still a British colony. They seem to have intermarried with everyone they could but since a lot of older records are unreliable, I will never know for sure who married whom or what. Then, on my mother's side of the family, I am descended from people who owned and operated a plantation in south Arkansas before a certain War Between The States. "Massa" could easily have visited the slave quarters occasionally for some "fun and games". It is entirely possible that I could have some ancestors from Africa also but we will never know for sure because we can't get in a time machine to travel back in time and find out what my ancestors may or may not have done.
These are the thoughts which go through my head whenever I hear or read about people talking about their ancestry as if it is supposed to be something special.
It's funny about this term - my people are all German, but nobody
calls me a plastic kraut. I don't go to Oktoberfest in Canberra or
wear lederhosen or use a fake German accent. I suppose if there
were a German Traditional music session, I might go along to it though.
Oh feck - I must be a Lancastrian-Irish-Cornish-Kentish-Briton born and bred in Gloucestershire-Devon-Notts-Glos etc etc.
I'm confused.
Deeply deeply confused.
Thank god I'm descended from Grainne Ni Mhaille on my father's mother's side. (I am as well).
With that knowledge, I now have a hook to sink into the perverse and sickening void of our communal modern isolation. I can form my identity with verve and chutzpah nonetheless! I can mould my being on the basis of a few strings of genetic spunktangles.
p.s. I apologise for 'spunktangles'. It was an unwarranted and despicable piece of chauvanism. I should, of course, have referred to spunkandeggtangles.
Beginner4567- To answer your question, in case you didn't get it: No you're not a Plastic Paddy, no one is. No one is a kraut or a kike or a n'gger etc. These are just ugly words used by ugly stupid people.
I don't think anyone attacked you. You've made it clear that you feel you are somehow not 'just another American' or not a 'typical loud American'. Who is? You may not realise it but you're doing the same thing that you accuse others of doing to you.
Well, this Plastic Paddy only got two hours sleep last nice so I'm saying
Goonight Bill. Goonight Lou. Goonight May. Goonight.
Ta ta. Goonight. Goonight.
Good night ladies, good night sweet ladies, good night,
good night
As you have stated you hold both Irish and American passports, then you are Irish and American. I would say Irish-Americans are like Italian-Americans, they're Americans trying to hold onto their ethnic background.
Personally, I'm a mongrel.
And my kids hold both British and American passports. Are they British-American ? No-one I know would use such an expression.
They're just dual-nationals. And they get through passport control at both ends faster than either my SO or I, because they never have to queue as aliens.
Here's one for ya, I've got a buddy who is American, whose wife is British, whose sons were raised in Denmark and Sweden where they have been working. So the older son learned to speak English while also learning Danish and the younger son was learning english while also learning Swedish. So they get to speak English at home with Danish/Swedish accents, while their folks speak American and British english to them and they speak Swedish with mates at school. Both kids are culturally, well Danish/Swedish, American-British Nationals of some kind. Oh and the older boy thinks in Swedish while hanging with Swedes and thinks in English when talking to Mom and Dad. I think my brain would be full.
And I thought splitting my childhood between Virginia, Connecticut, and Texas had me crosseyed
Virginia, Connecticut, and Texas FiferFiddler?(especially Texas) And I thought my childhood was bad because it was split between Arkansas and Illinois (where political offices are For Sale)
His father is an American of Swedish, Irish, German, and Scottish ancestry. (Mostly Irish: he has a half-dozen great-aunts and great-grandmothers all named Peggy McCarthy.)
His mother is likewise an American, born in Hawai'i of Philipino parents.
So at International Culture Day at his school, this kid brought Swedish food to share.
Am I a "plastic paddy"
Am I a "plastic paddy"
Recently I've noticed this term being applied to me as I've grown more engaged in the culture of the country where my parents are from.
I'm a 17 year old Irish-American. My dad is from County Longford and my mom's parents are from Belfast, County Antrim.
I lived in County Westmeath as a kid for 2 years.
I can't say there's anything else in my life that has gotten to me as much as the term "plastic paddy"- especially from an Irish person. It's a complete and utter emotionless slap in the face from everything you take pride in.
Interestingly I've never been called this term in real life, only over the internet. I'm not a "typical" loud American, I'm very quiet and pretty nice and relatively un-American.
So can I just have your opinions please. do I meet the criteria for being considered a "plastic paddy?"
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by beginner4567
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
It depends on the color of your hair, your belt, your shoes and your sweater... and whether you call your jumper a "jumper" or a "sweater." If your hair, your belt, and your shoes are white and they match -- and if you wear a pink or a yellow jumper and you call your jumper a "sweater" -- then yes, you are a plastic paddy. Especially if you travel around on a tour bus and brag about your Irish connections.
Otherwise you're either just a Paddy or just a Yank. Off hand I wouldn't think you were a plastic paddy. You can relax.
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by David Levine
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
I think I must be a pastie paddy. Irish lineage on both sides of the family, brought up in Yorkshire, living in Cornwall.
Seriously, you shouldn't let this upset you.Be proud of your background but don't stuff it down people's throats.
Name calling says a lot about the perpetrators but nothing about you. I think I might change my ID. Anyone know the Irish for "plastic paddy"
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by greg sheils
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
There was a very heated discussion on this subject a few months ago
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/19803
It's a term which has been frequently used by many people who don't realise its full significance or historic connotations.
In most cases, the intent is harmless but it can obviously still hurt.
I actually used this expression myself as I thought it just referred those people who played and enjoyed the "watered down" Irish pub music which you find all over the world, eg "Whisky in the Jar", "Wild Rover" sort of stuff.
However, since learning much more about the subject I have dropped this from my vocabulary.
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by John J.
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
Families, friends and nations
All are riven
By those who take offence
Where none is given
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by gam
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
Ciaran - I haven't met you, but I already can tell that you are
_not_ one.
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by Hup
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
No, you are an American.
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by Krick Stahlschwanz
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
I have citzenship to both countries, so legally I am Irish-American (dual citizen).
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by beginner4567
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
phlaisteacha padraig?
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by greg sheils
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
At least here in the US, the issue of self-indentification or self-perception by people of Irish ancestry is interesting.
I've met so many people over the years, who were born here, and their parents were born here, and oftentimes their grandparents and even great-grandparents were born here, who nevertheless always identify themselves without hesitation or any sense of irony as "Irish". Not "Irish-American" or "of Irish ancestry" but simply as "Irish".
I have one such friend, Patrick Reilly, born in an Irish ghetto in Chicago. He told me how his "Irishness" was impressed upon him from an early age.
Though people like this know that they are not Irish in the sense of citizenship, they take their "Irishness" seriously and anyone telling them to their face that they are not Irish is asking for a fight.
In many cases these Irish-Americans are result of generations of Irish-Americans marrying each other and therefore as genetically Irish as anyone born in Ireland.
They have often grown up experiencing racism and discrimination due to their ancestry and their Catholic faith.
So who is more "Irish"? The person raised in Ireland though born in the Czech Republic, or the person born in the US of Irish parents?
It's all pretty silly actually.
Oh, and I know some "plasitc pasties" (or "plastic Cousin Jacks") here too!
People who wear their "Cornishness" on their sleeve.
Though my great-grandparents hailed from Tywardreath, I hope I'll never become such.
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by Richard D Cook
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
I love this term. I think it is so stoooopid funny! I've never heard it outside of this website although I gather it does get strewn about in the real world. I imagine it is used mainly by
Irish Americans trying to prove they're more 'Irish' than the next person or by Irish people with similar self image problems. I happen to love drunkenly singing along to Clancy Brothers/Dubliners tunes and I also like playing jigs and reels.
Try not to worry much what people think of you-even less what they call you. Be the best 'you' that you can be and f'ck 'em if they don't like you. Me? I think 'Plastic Paddy would make a great tattoo! Big shamrock, obnoxious leperachaun....
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by shanty
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
It was a VERY common term used in London in the late 80's/early 90's. By Irish people against 2nd gen London-Irish, who genuinely thought of themselves not as yer ordinary cockney Londoners but as displaced Irish people, of a 2nd generation.
I wouldn't sneer too much if I were you. You are thus sneering at Alec Finn, Kevin Crawford, Kevin Burke, Mick Mulvey, and many many other fine Irish musicians.
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by Rudall the time
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
I don't know the history/background of any of the these(or any other for that matter) musicians.I Iisten to the music and shy away from interviews, bio's etc....so....I don't quite understand what you're saying. I don't know if you're saying Burke is a Londoner of Irish heritage who was called a 'Plastic Paddy' or if you're saying that he called Irish Londoners 'PP's'.
It makes no difference either way, anyway. It's a silly term and I will sneer at dumbf'cks who use it be they 'fine Irish musicians' or anyone else. In my area we have plenty of Silicon Scots with thier Highland games, Artificial Africans with thier wannabe African names and, my favorite, Wax Wops watching reruns of the Soprano's....see how silly it is?
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by shanty
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
Are you made of plastic? No worries then.
I second the tattoo, shanty! A great idea! Even better, how about an android-looking leprechaun made of plastic? I also feel a T Shirt coming on...is there a Reverend in the house?
At the risk of quoting Borat, in my country, there is problem. The only real Americans now live on reservations and run casinos, the rest of us are all hyphens. If anyone tells me they're just an American, I always ask them what tribe they are from. That's a joke, folks. Is this thing on? [tap tap tap]
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
Our dear friend Krick Outhouse's disdain for all those who attempt to hyphenate their ethnicity, especially "Irish-Americans" is well documented here in this forum. However, the great hypocrisy is that when Krick meets a fellow 3rd or 4th generation Londoner whose ancestry happens to be from India or Pakistan, I sincerely doubt he calls them a fellow Briton. We know perfectly well how those folks are identified. So it goes in the great ethnic salad bowl of America. If you're a "Mac" or an "O" you're Irish in perpetuity and so are all the generations henceforth. It's cultural identification and nothing more complicated than that.
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
You define your self-image. Don't let others do it for you. You are what you believe you are.
I'd go with the wise counsel in the last line of Thistle Day's first post. Actually, that is wise counsel for many thing you (personally and individually) think you must do.
I always hated when my parents discouraged thing I wanted to do with comments like "What will other people think"?" or "That's not what is usually done.".
Who cares what small/narrow minded people think. F-em.
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by zippydw
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
Oh I forgot to mention. Some of our best marital rows have come out of that first question I put in my post. I absolutely hate the concept even 'at my age' (58)
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by zippydw
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
Zipp...you're only as old as you don't feel.
apparently the new name for those of us "of a certain age" is Zoomer....there's a new mag devoted to the topic/us as well...who knew you were such an important demographic? ;)
http://www.zoomermag.com/home/index.cfm
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by skin&bow
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
So long as you are biodegradable, like most of us, you have nothing to be upset about.
Besides, you have Irish heritage and you even spent some of your childhood there. Whoever called you 'plastic' is probably named Polly Ure O'Thane.
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by Weejie
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
I'd suggest that by showing the self respect and humility to even entertain the question, you've negated yourself from being considered a plastic anything, never mind a plastic paddy. And forget what anyone else says about it.
And great name BTW ;)
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by ciaranbradley
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
here in the States, on the east coast, there are actualy Irish neighborhoods and very Irish parrishes in the Church, just like there are Italian parrishes and neighborhoods.
My mom's people were Irish, but they've been over here for some time. Some of my friends are very steeped in Irish traditions and culture, though. More than I am.
I asked my grandma about that when she was still with us, and she told me that some of the families that came here during the famines wanted to hang onto thier native culture. They were forced to come here by circumstances, but their hearts were still back home in Ireland.
Our family, though, came here to get away from all the old ways and all the old grudges, so our family didn't keep alot of the traditions going over here
But there's more to it than just everybody wanting to be Irish on St Patrick's Day. Alot of the "Irish-americans" keep traditons alive because of family and community.
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by Nate Ryan
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
I first heard that term being levied at the followers of the Pogues back in the seventies. Between myself, my brothers and sisters, we must have spawned half the plastic paddies in London. Only for the plastic paddies from all parts of the world playing Trad Music, the scene would be in a poor state today, because it was nearly dead on its feet in Ireland in the sixties/seventies.
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by Free Reed
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
I suspect the term "Plastic Paddy" has been a riposte to irritation knowingly or unknowingly inflicted by returning exiles or Irish-Americans visiting Ireland, saying (e.g.) "Gee! You guys could *make* something of this place, if only..."
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by nicholas
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
I've very often hear this term aimed by talentless, begruding Irish people at non-Irish people who are playing trad well. It's as though they felt that they had nothing to prove, and that by slouching at the bar with their jeans half way down their arse they were naturals, the authentic thing, unlike the loonies in the corner working so hard at the fiddle and pipes. I am with Thistle Day on this one.
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by sergeant fox
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
Hmmm, a Gibson Hummingbird, and a Dove, all within a few days. Is there a trend here?
Ciaran - to paraphrase Louis Armstrong (or "Luis" as he was recently referred to around here - wasn't Luis Armstrong the Cuban trombonist that played with both Celia Cruz and Desi Arnaz back in the late Forties?) - "...if you have to ask, you're not..." ...it's just a nasty term used by some folk that are trying to make other folk feel as bad as they do. IMHO.
If you like the music, get yer butt to a session, buddy!
BTW, does anyone know anything about a Neill Wall (or Walls), born around 1801 (fact) in County Cork (as family mythology has it), who ended up in Canada around 1830 or so? My Great-great something or other...
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by tomw
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
I don't even know how you guys think I have "Irish heritage." That makes it sound like I'm just any other American.
I have Irsh citizenship and partially grew up there. My parents have Irish accents!
I could care less if anyone calls me a plastic paddy anymore but I'm just curious to know what all you think I'm supposed to do? Am I just simply not supposed to visit my grandparents, aunts, unces, cousins, etc. in Ireland? When my parents move back to their country to retire am I just supposed to stop talking to them because any connection to Ireland would make me a "plastic paddy?"
I think some of you (the ones that love to offend others with racial, cultural, and ethnic slurs) don't understand is that we're much more closely related to Ireland than you think. Many of us have dual-citizenship. We are legally "Irish."
I use the hyphen in Irish-American because that's WHAT I AM. I hold citizenship to both countries Why would I lie about my Irish citizenship or vice versa?
And another thing you don't understand is that America is far more diverse than the UK. EVERYONE in the cities states their ethnicicty, puts a hyphen, and puts American afterwards. It's a way to identify yourself with imilar people and actually a really nice thing.
It's an offensive term that really gets to people. If you didn't know that, then I kindly ask that you stop saying it. If you do know it, but refuse to stop saying it, well then I imagine you don't play at too many sessions. It's easy to verbally assault someone over the internet. Try doing it at your next session and see how that works.
Thanks to everyone that was supportive to me; especially the one who sent the email to me. That made me feel better.
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by beginner4567
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
Oops - did I say something wrong?
# Posted on March 25th 2009 by tomw
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
"I have Irish citizenship "
Perhaps you should have mentioned that in the beginning. You are Irish.
# Posted on March 26th 2009 by Weejie
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
I wish you could be one of us American Plastic Paddies. Unfortunately, you can't be one unless you contain phthalates as we do. Without phthalates, you can't be a plastic anything here. Best just to concentrate on being an ordenary, flesh-and-blood American. There is no excuse other than cost for not visiting your grandparents BTW. I'm sure they will always be happy to see you.
# Posted on March 26th 2009 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
Let me count all of the many ways in which derogatory terms could be applied to me (he said sarcastically).
When Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, some of my ancestors were already living here in what the European explorers eventually named "North America". The rest of my ancestors seem to have come here from various destinations in Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales while the United States was still a British colony. They seem to have intermarried with everyone they could but since a lot of older records are unreliable, I will never know for sure who married whom or what. Then, on my mother's side of the family, I am descended from people who owned and operated a plantation in south Arkansas before a certain War Between The States. "Massa" could easily have visited the slave quarters occasionally for some "fun and games". It is entirely possible that I could have some ancestors from Africa also but we will never know for sure because we can't get in a time machine to travel back in time and find out what my ancestors may or may not have done.
These are the thoughts which go through my head whenever I hear or read about people talking about their ancestry as if it is supposed to be something special.
# Posted on March 26th 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
It's funny about this term - my people are all German, but nobody
calls me a plastic kraut. I don't go to Oktoberfest in Canberra or
wear lederhosen or use a fake German accent. I suppose if there
were a German Traditional music session, I might go along to it though.
# Posted on March 26th 2009 by Hup
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
If someone called me a Plastic Kraut I'd get pretty mad and then I'd be a Sour Kraut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
# Posted on March 26th 2009 by shanty
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
LOL!! I do love sauerkraut and sausages, so sue me ...
# Posted on March 26th 2009 by Hup
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
Oh feck - I must be a Lancastrian-Irish-Cornish-Kentish-Briton born and bred in Gloucestershire-Devon-Notts-Glos etc etc.
I'm confused.
Deeply deeply confused.
Thank god I'm descended from Grainne Ni Mhaille on my father's mother's side. (I am as well).
With that knowledge, I now have a hook to sink into the perverse and sickening void of our communal modern isolation. I can form my identity with verve and chutzpah nonetheless! I can mould my being on the basis of a few strings of genetic spunktangles.
I feel so much better now.
# Posted on March 26th 2009 by Pomme de Terre
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
p.s. I apologise for 'spunktangles'. It was an unwarranted and despicable piece of chauvanism. I should, of course, have referred to spunkandeggtangles.
# Posted on March 26th 2009 by Pomme de Terre
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
Beginner4567- To answer your question, in case you didn't get it: No you're not a Plastic Paddy, no one is. No one is a kraut or a kike or a n'gger etc. These are just ugly words used by ugly stupid people.
I don't think anyone attacked you. You've made it clear that you feel you are somehow not 'just another American' or not a 'typical loud American'. Who is? You may not realise it but you're doing the same thing that you accuse others of doing to you.
Well, this Plastic Paddy only got two hours sleep last nice so I'm saying
Goonight Bill. Goonight Lou. Goonight May. Goonight.
Ta ta. Goonight. Goonight.
Good night ladies, good night sweet ladies, good night,
good night
# Posted on March 26th 2009 by shanty
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
Goo' night. Bolt's above yer head.
# Posted on March 26th 2009 by Pomme de Terre
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
Just call yourself " Happy"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MktlfjFb3j0
# Posted on March 26th 2009 by Lint - upon - Tweed
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
This has been a fascinating discussion, but if you'll excuse me, I need some breakfast, so I'm off to sprinkle some phthalates on my oatmeal.
# Posted on March 26th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
Depending on where you were born you could be termed as F B I, foreign born Irish.
# Posted on March 26th 2009 by southpaw
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
As you have stated you hold both Irish and American passports, then you are Irish and American. I would say Irish-Americans are like Italian-Americans, they're Americans trying to hold onto their ethnic background.
Personally, I'm a mongrel.
And my kids hold both British and American passports. Are they British-American ? No-one I know would use such an expression.
They're just dual-nationals. And they get through passport control at both ends faster than either my SO or I, because they never have to queue as aliens.
# Posted on March 26th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
Here's one for ya, I've got a buddy who is American, whose wife is British, whose sons were raised in Denmark and Sweden where they have been working. So the older son learned to speak English while also learning Danish and the younger son was learning english while also learning Swedish. So they get to speak English at home with Danish/Swedish accents, while their folks speak American and British english to them and they speak Swedish with mates at school. Both kids are culturally, well Danish/Swedish, American-British Nationals of some kind. Oh and the older boy thinks in Swedish while hanging with Swedes and thinks in English when talking to Mom and Dad. I think my brain would be full.
And I thought splitting my childhood between Virginia, Connecticut, and Texas had me crosseyed
# Posted on March 27th 2009 by FiferFiddler
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
Virginia, Connecticut, and Texas FiferFiddler?(especially Texas) And I thought my childhood was bad because it was split between Arkansas and Illinois (where political offices are For Sale)
# Posted on March 29th 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: Am I a "plastic paddy"
FiferFiddler's post reminds me of a nephew.
His father is an American of Swedish, Irish, German, and Scottish ancestry. (Mostly Irish: he has a half-dozen great-aunts and great-grandmothers all named Peggy McCarthy.)
His mother is likewise an American, born in Hawai'i of Philipino parents.
So at International Culture Day at his school, this kid brought Swedish food to share.
# Posted on April 3rd 2009 by Richard D Cook