When Irish Eyes are Crying

America is a great country.  Being from here, we tend to be ambivalent to the great mish mash of cultures we are.  Our society sifts through the rest of the world and selects choice parts to make our lives more vibrant and exciting.  Go to any grocery store to see what I mean.  It wasn’t that long ago that the ethnic food aisle consisted only of cans of La Choy and Manwich sauce.  Today, I’ll spend ten minutes looking at a label trying to figure out what’s inside.

The Americanization of Saint Patrick’s Day is a mixed bag.  The day in Ireland is a combination of giving thanks, national pride and a few drinks.  Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, holds the country’s focus, as well as a shocking amount of the rest of the world.  The translation somehow morphed into a green beer and cheap party favor adorned excuse to drink enough to make John Goodman look like Christina Hendricks. Even corned beef and cabbage has little to do with Irish culture, but has became American Irish, like Lucky Charms.  Let’s face it, horribly disfiguring other countries sacred institutions is something we’re great at, but here are some suggestions that might make your March 17th more fun.

If you’re religious at all, going to the Cathedral in St. Paul and viewing the St. Patrick statue is kind of cool, and the guy does look like Gandalf.  If that’s what you have to do to get the kids there, tell them you’re going to visit the Shire.  For a traditional Irish meal, try seafood or a real Shepard’s Pie.  Even better, hunt down a traditional Irish breakfast.  It’s fantastic, but you really don’t want to know what’s in half of it (let’s just say the Irish are resourceful).  If you’d like something stronger, visit any of the numerous, and very underrated, Irish bars in town.  Instead of the green suds, grab a Guinness.  Yeah it’s pitch black, but that’s what the Irish drink, and there is something about a beer that doesn’t have a carb-free, diet version.  These Irish bars also have great music, more Flogging Molly and less Black Eyed Peas, and try to find one with a live artist playing traditional Irish music and enjoy.

Regardless of fanfare and location, the best thing the Irish do is make friends.  Whenever I visit them, most of the time is spent reliving old memories and creating new ones.  They are the most social people you’ll ever meet.  Americans, regardless of willingness to post their life online, are becoming less social, with a large portion of our population not able to have a ten-minute face-to-face conversation.  If you really want to emulate the Irish, turn off the television, computer and cell phone, force yourself to get together with friends and vow that no one will leave the table for at least two hours.  There might be a moment or two of awkward silence, but soon you’ll open up.  Sharing a few smiles and embracing the human desire for companionship is truly Irish.

I’m not trying to browbeat anyone into a politically correct, marginal holiday.  I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve gone the green beer route more than once, but when I started hanging out with the Irish and really experienced their version of the day, I never looked back.  Use this as a mere suggestion and celebrate as you wish.  If you ever get sick of the American St. Patrick’s day, the Irish will always welcome you.