Irish Lads & Irish Jigs

It did not take long for me to notice that the British culture, at least the younger crowd, is considerably more laidback than its Canadian counterpart. The two are very similar, but one difference that never fails to strike me is the sub-culture of bar life in the UK.

A British friend of mine recently admitted that "yes, we do know how to do the pub scene." And it is true. Life within a pub, a bar, a club--and undeniably on a dance floor--is much more animated here than in Canada. I will be the first to admit that I do not have an impressive reputation for partying; however, I have enough experience to make the observation.

And Dublin--being so nearby England--did not fail to impress.

It stikes me almost as a revelation would; in the beginning, it was awe and an almost pleasantly incredulous gape:

Boys ....dance???

But now, with several nights out under my belt and two being among the Irish my reaction is like an affirmation--as though if I did not confirm it, all the boys might sit down and proceed with their too cool for you facade:

Boys ...dance. Yes, they do. Boys can dance!

And the Irish boys love to dance: it mostly consists of a lot of hopping, at least it is anything but the terrible array of dance moves that litter most North American dance floors.

The trio of Irish boys that treated us out the first night in Dublin even danced without us. They did not appear ready to sit out a song just because two Canadian girls were calling 'er quits. And I dare say they outnumbered girls on the dance floor as well.

Guys outnumbering girls on a dance floor: you will see that in a Canadian bar when hell freezes over--or when the DJ plays Tenacious D, whichever comes first.

So we left them dancing. They actually found us later, wandering the streets of Dublin--lost--much to their amusement. But the night was proof that the Irish are fun.

The next night: proof that if it looks like an American, walks like an American and dances like an American--it will be an American.