Improving the World... One Interaction At A Time.
A Performers Guide to Cultural Interactions
By William Draven
As an actor at a major motion picture studio, and theme park in Hollywood, as well as a magician I frequently get the opportunity to entertain for from all over the world. A year ago or so a document was released within our entertainment department that outlined different countries, and some good information you can use to create meaningful, lasting encounters with their people.
I immediately saw the advantage of this information for the magician community because what are we if not entertainers? We can use just about any tool at our disposal to help create that one magic moment with our audience that can make it even that much more memorable. So I got permission to share the information with you. Of course this project will take some time to post up, so I'll be updating this based upon two factors. The first being how well received, and appreciated it is from you the community, and the second how relevant the community feels this information is as applied to their lives. That is to say if not encouraged, I won't keep it up. Otherwise, I'll post new threads titled: "Improving The World: {country name}" that that specific file relates to.
Without any further delay, I bring you our next country: Ireland
Country: Ireland
Continental Location: Northwestern Europe; Island of Ireland
What They Call Themselves: Irish
Primary Language: Irish Gaelic
Secondary Language: English
Prominent Cities: Dublin [capital]; Cork, Limerick, Galway, Sligo
Famous/ Historical Sites: St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Dublin)
Currency: The Euro
Starter Phrase:
Welcome: Failte (FAH-eel-tay)
Hello: Dia duit (DEE-uh DOO-it)
Goodbye: Slan (SLANE)
Thank you: Go raibh maith agat (Go rab math huh-gut)
You’re welcome: ‘Se do beheatha (SAY doo bee-heeth-ah)
Cultural Notes:
Prominent People/ Celebrities: U2 (Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr, Adam Clayton); Pierce Brosnan; Peter O’Toole; Colin Farrell (2009 Golden Globe winner for “In Bruge”); Brenda Fricker (Oscar winning actress).
-The sovereign state of Ireland (described as the Republic of Ireland) covers five-sixths of the island, with Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom) covering the remainder in the north-east.
-Both Gaelic (or Irish) and English are mandatorily taught in schools.
-Ireland’s national sports are Gaelic football and hurling. Gaelic football is a mix of soccer and rugby. Hurling is an outdoor team sport of ancient Gaelic origin and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar; akin to lacrosse & field hockey.
-In 2004, Ireland became the first in the world to ban smoking in all workplaces.
-Regarding their flag, the green represents the Gaelic tradition while the orange represents the supporters of William of Orange. The white in the center signifies a lasting truce between the ‘Green’ and the ‘Orange’.
-St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He lived from 390-460. March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day. Legend credits Patrick with banishing snakes from the island, though all evidence suggests that postglacial Ireland never had snakes; one suggestion is that snakes was a derogatory term used to describe the serpent symbolism of the Druids. Hence driving the snakes from Ireland would mean driving out the Druid’s (and their Pagan practices) and replacing it with Catholic doctrine. Legend also credits Patrick with teaching the Irish about the concept of the Trinity by showing people the shamrock, a 3-leaved clover.
-The Tonight Show’s Conan O’Brien is of Irish descent. On a Late Night episode, O’brien paid a visit to County Kerry, Ireland, where his ancestors originated.
-Arthur Guinness was an 18th Century Irish brewer and the founder of the Guinness Brewery business. Guinness the beverage is a popular dry stout usually served room temperature. A distinctive feature of this dark brown drink is the burnt flavor which is derived from the use of roasted barley.
-Irish stew is a traditional Irish dish made from Lamb, beef, or mutton, (mutton is used as it comes from less tender sheep over a year old and is fattier and more flavorful) as well as potatoes, carrots, onions, and parsley.
-Irish coffee consists of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar, stirred, and topped with cream.
-The poetic form “limerick” is named after a town in Ireland. It is a five-line poem with a strict form (AABBA), which intends to be witty or humorous, and is sometimes obscene with humorous intent.
What To Avoid:
Confusion with Northern Ireland which is a part of the United Kingdom. Stereotypes about Irish drunkenness and brawling. Scatological limericks.
A Performers Guide to Cultural Interactions
By William Draven
As an actor at a major motion picture studio, and theme park in Hollywood, as well as a magician I frequently get the opportunity to entertain for from all over the world. A year ago or so a document was released within our entertainment department that outlined different countries, and some good information you can use to create meaningful, lasting encounters with their people.
I immediately saw the advantage of this information for the magician community because what are we if not entertainers? We can use just about any tool at our disposal to help create that one magic moment with our audience that can make it even that much more memorable. So I got permission to share the information with you. Of course this project will take some time to post up, so I'll be updating this based upon two factors. The first being how well received, and appreciated it is from you the community, and the second how relevant the community feels this information is as applied to their lives. That is to say if not encouraged, I won't keep it up. Otherwise, I'll post new threads titled: "Improving The World: {country name}" that that specific file relates to.
Without any further delay, I bring you our next country: Ireland
Country: Ireland
Continental Location: Northwestern Europe; Island of Ireland
What They Call Themselves: Irish
Primary Language: Irish Gaelic
Secondary Language: English
Prominent Cities: Dublin [capital]; Cork, Limerick, Galway, Sligo
Famous/ Historical Sites: St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Dublin)
Currency: The Euro
Starter Phrase:
Welcome: Failte (FAH-eel-tay)
Hello: Dia duit (DEE-uh DOO-it)
Goodbye: Slan (SLANE)
Thank you: Go raibh maith agat (Go rab math huh-gut)
You’re welcome: ‘Se do beheatha (SAY doo bee-heeth-ah)
Cultural Notes:
Prominent People/ Celebrities: U2 (Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr, Adam Clayton); Pierce Brosnan; Peter O’Toole; Colin Farrell (2009 Golden Globe winner for “In Bruge”); Brenda Fricker (Oscar winning actress).
-The sovereign state of Ireland (described as the Republic of Ireland) covers five-sixths of the island, with Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom) covering the remainder in the north-east.
-Both Gaelic (or Irish) and English are mandatorily taught in schools.
-Ireland’s national sports are Gaelic football and hurling. Gaelic football is a mix of soccer and rugby. Hurling is an outdoor team sport of ancient Gaelic origin and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar; akin to lacrosse & field hockey.
-In 2004, Ireland became the first in the world to ban smoking in all workplaces.
-Regarding their flag, the green represents the Gaelic tradition while the orange represents the supporters of William of Orange. The white in the center signifies a lasting truce between the ‘Green’ and the ‘Orange’.
-St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He lived from 390-460. March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day. Legend credits Patrick with banishing snakes from the island, though all evidence suggests that postglacial Ireland never had snakes; one suggestion is that snakes was a derogatory term used to describe the serpent symbolism of the Druids. Hence driving the snakes from Ireland would mean driving out the Druid’s (and their Pagan practices) and replacing it with Catholic doctrine. Legend also credits Patrick with teaching the Irish about the concept of the Trinity by showing people the shamrock, a 3-leaved clover.
-The Tonight Show’s Conan O’Brien is of Irish descent. On a Late Night episode, O’brien paid a visit to County Kerry, Ireland, where his ancestors originated.
-Arthur Guinness was an 18th Century Irish brewer and the founder of the Guinness Brewery business. Guinness the beverage is a popular dry stout usually served room temperature. A distinctive feature of this dark brown drink is the burnt flavor which is derived from the use of roasted barley.
-Irish stew is a traditional Irish dish made from Lamb, beef, or mutton, (mutton is used as it comes from less tender sheep over a year old and is fattier and more flavorful) as well as potatoes, carrots, onions, and parsley.
-Irish coffee consists of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar, stirred, and topped with cream.
-The poetic form “limerick” is named after a town in Ireland. It is a five-line poem with a strict form (AABBA), which intends to be witty or humorous, and is sometimes obscene with humorous intent.
What To Avoid:
Confusion with Northern Ireland which is a part of the United Kingdom. Stereotypes about Irish drunkenness and brawling. Scatological limericks.
