Top Signs It’s St. Patrick’s Day and You’re Not Irish

Top signs it's St. Patrick's Day and you're not Irish.

Sure, we all love an excuse to drink a pint and St. Patrick's Day is the best excuse! But, believe it or not, St. Patrick's Day was once a solemn religious holiday in Ireland. Across the globe, however, the idea of celebrating Ireland's patron saint has become more a reason to party, than a reason to pray.

Every March 17th, people from Dublin to New York to Sydney put on their "Kiss Me I'm Irish" t-shirts, attend parades, and drink plenty of Guinness. But how do the Irish feel about the rest of the world embracing their national holiday?

For the most part, the Irish take great pride in seeing their culture celebrated globally. Ireland has a long history of emigration, and many Irish people have relatives abroad, making St. Patrick’s Day a symbol of connection rather than exclusivity. According to PBS, Irish immigrants brought their traditions across the pond to the US, settling in cities like Boston and New York. The first St. Patrick's Day parade was held in Manhattan in 1762.

However, not all Irish people are thrilled with how the day is observed outside of Ireland. For some, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are considered overly commercialized and disrespectful. The holiday’s cultural and historical significance can become overshadowed by excessive drinking and stereotypes, such as leprechauns and fake Irish accents. Some Irish people find the phrase “St. Patty’s Day” particularly grating, as “Patty” is a nickname for Patricia, while “Paddy” (derived from Pádraig) is the correct term. (Read more about that here.)

In the end, as long as the spirit of St. Patrick's Day is respected, the Irish are happy to let the world turn a little greener each March 17th.