Distinctively green and peaceful, Ireland is a small island country in Northern Europe, inhabited by very friendly, sociable people that like to live their lives to the fullest and are well-known for their wit and self-deprecating humor.

Ireland isn’t a formal, rigid culture that gives an overwhelming importance to social standards and precise norms, but it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the etiquette and customs of Ireland before visiting, in order to understand better what is going around you and to be able to respond appropriately.

Greetings

The most common way to greet someone on a first meeting is through a firm handshake, whether it is men, women or older children. People that are more familiar with one another may kiss each other on the cheek if they are female, or give each other a hug/pat on the back if they are men.

Personal space

Irish people are very respectful and aware of others’ personal space, as well as of their own, so be mindful of this. The minimum distance at which people maintain a conversation is at arm’s length. Being closer than this is more appropriate for interacting with people you are more intimately acquainted with.

Giving and accepting gifts

It is customary to out of politeness when someone offers you something, so it’s important to bear this in mind both when giving and accepting gifts and react accordingly. If you offer something and the person declines, it’s likely they’re just being polite, so do offer again. Likewise, if you are the recipient, don’t accept right away, as this will make you seem overly eager.

Views of time

The Irish aren’t generally very time-conscious, so don’t be offended if they show up a few minutes late to a meeting. It is common and socially acceptable in Ireland to be a bit late; in fact, by being punctual and right on time, you risk being perceived as slightly odd. Viewing time in such a relaxed manner is probably due to the fact that the Irish are calm and laid back by nature, so they prefer not to stress over small details such as getting somewhere at exactly the minute they agreed to. There is also the fact that rain tends to come and go in an unpredictable way, which can delay someone in traffic and the Irish are very aware and understanding of that.

Communication style

Irish people value modesty and don’t take themselves too seriously, so try to avoid sounding arrogant and full of yourself, as this is viewed negatively. Playful banter and trading insults is all part of Irish humor and meant in good fun, so don’t take it personally if it happens. Storytelling is a big part of Irish folklore and tradition, so you can always expect a casual greeting to turn into a lengthy conversation.

While the above information isn’t exhaustive, by keeping in mind these basic aspects related to etiquette and customs in Ireland, you can get by more easily, have more meaningful interactions with Irish people and avoid the most common social faux pas.