Cory Doctorow just made a couple of posts about Irish companies on BoingBoing, one of the internet’s most read blogs:
- Irish ISP will disconnect Internet users after three unsubstantiated copyright claims
… it’s positively medieval. Shame on Ireland — so much for their high-tech economic miracle.
- Ryanair will fine passengers who board with too much carry-on
It’s not really any wonder that this airline would start issuing “fines” to passengers — they already treat them like prisoners.
Another piece of international (Australian) news about Ireland:
- Irish traveller’s behaviour ‘a disgrace’
Judge Griffin described O’Flynn’s behaviour as “disgraceful” and said Australia would be better off without him.
Sometimes it can be quite embarrassing to be Irish. When I was looking for an apartment in San Francisco many landlords were pretty cautious once I told them where I was from. One guy told me how he usually doesn’t take Irish students as tenants because we’re noisy, cause trouble and drink too much and then fill up everyone’s bins with our empty bottles and cans from the night before. Patrick told me of similar experiences with American landlords. Just look at J-1 Summer on RTÉ to see how we carry on, if you haven’t already experienced that sort of carry on first-hand.
If you look at what sort of reporting is going on about Irish tourists, Irish companies, and the Irish government, we look like a bunch of crooks.
Ryanair have every right to fine people with too much luggage. They operate on a low fares, no frills system. More luggage means more frills and so should be discouraged. If they want to travel in luxury they can buy a private plane.
Funny thing is that the same people who criticise Ryanair end up using them time and time again.
I don’t mind the Ryanair thing too much to be honest. Just pointing out that there were 2 posts in a row on boingboing quite critical of irish companies.
However, Eircom are crooks and Irish students are idiots.
Agreed. But I’ve posted on boingboing about Ryanair.