Red Dead Redemption Upsets the Irish
- Thread starter Logan Westbrook
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As a full blooded Irishman, I have an issue with the title of the thread.Logan Westbrook said:
Just because a controversy baiting tabloid-style news reporter takes offence to the game, doesn't mean the whole Irish nation does, as the title of the thread implies.
We are renowned for viciously taking the piss out of ourselves and eachother, (EDIT: especially concerning alcohol) just watch any Irish comedy series or stand up (Father Ted, Tommy Tiernan etc) for proof.
As an Irish person (who does drink), I find most Irish people I know don't really mind seeing this particular stereotype come up and we've all come to expect it really. Indeed, the Herald article itself is more of a hype article about the game, mentioning the Irish character for all of 3 paragraphs before moving on.
Really, seeing this has for us become the norm, and while it is kinda disappointing to see it get wheeled out every damn time, it's not the sort of thing that would sour a game for me. Except the Saboteur, but that was more because of the really annoying accent that just wouldn't stop. Seriously, noone sounds like that.
I've seen this story on quite a few gaming sites now and I have to say, it seems the rest of the world cares more about this than us. 3 paragraphs and a headline have managed to generate a world wide discussion, mainly about how we shouldn't be so sensitive. Well, good news. We aren't. And now, as it 8 o'clock on Saturday evening (that's 20:00 for you crazy yanks), I'm going to meet some friends in the pub. I'm going to drink some Rebel Red (great Ale, if you're ever in Cork head here and try it: http://www.franciscanwellbrewery.com/) , discuss games and movies, curse my countries crappy internet infrastructure and have a good laugh about this thread. And the rest of you guys, wherever you are in the world, should do the same!
Sláinte mhaith guys!
Really, seeing this has for us become the norm, and while it is kinda disappointing to see it get wheeled out every damn time, it's not the sort of thing that would sour a game for me. Except the Saboteur, but that was more because of the really annoying accent that just wouldn't stop. Seriously, noone sounds like that.
I've seen this story on quite a few gaming sites now and I have to say, it seems the rest of the world cares more about this than us. 3 paragraphs and a headline have managed to generate a world wide discussion, mainly about how we shouldn't be so sensitive. Well, good news. We aren't. And now, as it 8 o'clock on Saturday evening (that's 20:00 for you crazy yanks), I'm going to meet some friends in the pub. I'm going to drink some Rebel Red (great Ale, if you're ever in Cork head here and try it: http://www.franciscanwellbrewery.com/) , discuss games and movies, curse my countries crappy internet infrastructure and have a good laugh about this thread. And the rest of you guys, wherever you are in the world, should do the same!
Sláinte mhaith guys!
I drink alot and im Irish but im not a drunk. I guess this stereotype is somewhat fueled by me during exchange trips. I got a reputation on an exchange trip to berlin for drinking even though I was 15.Demented Teddy said:
I dont beat my wife though. That stereotype is just plain wrong
A fellow Corkman, eh? I'm a sucker for the Blarney Blonde myself. Drank far too much of it last weekend...Desworks said:
And I agree with everything you said, we're not sensitive over the character (though I'm a little sensitive over people thinking we've no sense of humour)
Seconded, i'm of half English/half German lineage, you know how many stereotypes i'm subjected to? Of course everyone needs to decide where they stand in the realm of being mis-judged by someone because of where you're from, but I don't know...Exterminas said:
...Watch Avenue Q, that may help.
What a waste of time to get offended by this. It's not like American's actually believe these stereotypes, it's a fucking joke. Asians can't drive, Irish are all drunks, Mexican's sleep all day, French don't bathe, Italians run the mafia, Canadian's can't do anything, American's are fat and stupid, Australians let their children be eaten by dingos, etc... it's a joke! The world is full of a bunch of whine-ass pussies.
Both my mom and dad have played this game for a while, they have never found a drunk guy named Irish, ever, where is he at anyway?
People will always find something to complain about, just ignore it and enjoy the damn game.
People will always find something to complain about, just ignore it and enjoy the damn game.
Ah go on.
Second generation Irish, and most of the Irish folks - like my pa - would just see it as a joke.
From my, limited, knowledge, the nickname "Irish" is also used to refer to anyone with red hair, white skin and/or freckles. Same as the headbutt is known as the "Glasgow Kiss", the ponytail as the "Essex facelift" and the Landrover as the "Chelsea Tractor".
It's no more offensive than a French Kiss, a Dutch Cap, or a Mexican wave. Especially as it's historically accurate, the Irish were treated like crap in that day and age.
Now, St. Patrick's Day, where everyone gets drunk and paints things green....
Second generation Irish, and most of the Irish folks - like my pa - would just see it as a joke.
From my, limited, knowledge, the nickname "Irish" is also used to refer to anyone with red hair, white skin and/or freckles. Same as the headbutt is known as the "Glasgow Kiss", the ponytail as the "Essex facelift" and the Landrover as the "Chelsea Tractor".
It's no more offensive than a French Kiss, a Dutch Cap, or a Mexican wave. Especially as it's historically accurate, the Irish were treated like crap in that day and age.
Now, St. Patrick's Day, where everyone gets drunk and paints things green....
Controversy? I guess. Newsworthy? Not really. Still, given what can masquerade as "breaking news" these days...Stabby Joe said:
Anyway, likely this is just a tiny minority complaining, as opposed to every last Irish person in the galaxy.
As people are referring to The Simpsons, they've had a Scottish stereotype in there for years, but I've never found Groundskeeper Willie anything other than a good laugh. I don't think I've heard any complaints about Apu either, be it as he is a convenience store owner in an arranged marriage with a large quantity of children.
Suppose on will have to roll out the old "get a grip people" response again.
So yeh, get a grip people!
I'm sorry but I really don't understand what you mean, I didn't intend the post to be offensive or comedic, I was just referencing many of the lines in the game to show why I did not think the Irish should be upset. If I said something offensive please help me understand as I'd be happy to remedy the post accordingly.Demented Teddy said:
I'm not full-blooded Irish, but my ancestory traces back there, as well as scotland. In either case, it's undeniably true that there are a lot of either that are drunk or drinking on a fairly regular basis. Finding this offensive is like a fish being upset because someone said he's always wet.
Yes it is a bit annoying but I'm certainly not holding it against Rockstar. The actual Hearld article is pretty balanced really its no "games are evil blah!" rant. Actually criticism of the Irish character is outweighed by praise for the game.
I will ask you however gentle reader to join me in a brief thought experiment, cast your minds back over your televisual and movie watching lives and name for me the Irish characters you can think of who where not created by Irish people, aren't stereotypes (drunks, terrorists or morons) and are played by actual Irish people or at least an actor who can do an actual Irish accent. Characters who are competent individuals who happen to be Irish rather than being defined by it.
I can think of only two; Chief O'Brian and Romo Lampkin. Thats shameful.
I will ask you however gentle reader to join me in a brief thought experiment, cast your minds back over your televisual and movie watching lives and name for me the Irish characters you can think of who where not created by Irish people, aren't stereotypes (drunks, terrorists or morons) and are played by actual Irish people or at least an actor who can do an actual Irish accent. Characters who are competent individuals who happen to be Irish rather than being defined by it.
I can think of only two; Chief O'Brian and Romo Lampkin. Thats shameful.
