Deep Thoughts by Drew

Hello loyal followers of the next great American novelist, Lauren.  This is Drew and I've been living here in Dublin over the past week and a half as well.  We thought I could hop on here and share a few of my thoughts, experiences, and observations from the last week or so.

After a long day at the office.

I've been working for one week and all I can say is Dublin PwC is different than the Dallas office and it's going to be a big adjustment.  But it's only the first week.  

They really don't talk much in the audit room, they don't listen to music at work, they don't really act as a team, and I'm not really sure that they are auditing (but that is a different story).  I'm just used to things being different.  Friendlier and more fun.  But once I get to know people that will change.  Maybe I'll just rip a big fart in the audit room and see what happens.

People leave their computers at the client (big no-no in America), leave whenever they feel like they did enough that day (even if the manager is still there), and don't have free coffee.  Apparently they are a couple years behind the US and they are fine with that.  We also don't get our work emails on our phones, so with that, plus leaving your computer at the office, you do get to disconnect.  It will definitely be a huge change, and something that I will have to get used to over the next 2 years.  

Now enough about work - that will be fine...here are some other observations:

1.  The Irish language (aka Gaelic) is a very strange language.  Some of the names here are unlike anything I've ever seen, or tried to 'sound out'.  Let me give you a few examples of some names:


Niamh = knee-of
Aoife = eefa
Siobhan = shavan
Aisling = ashling
Oonagh = oona
Solomon = O'Solomon (so maybe I made that one up)


2.  People don't drink much liquor.  Only beer.  Even though they have some of the best whiskey around.


3.  People say 'your welcome' before you tell them 'thank you'.  Example- we walked into a bar the other day and the bartender came up, shook our hand, and told us that "you're very welcome here."  We we landed the flight attendants said "You're very welcome to Ireland."  Thanks(?)


4.  Pubs are Gods gift to the world.  


5.  It is frustrating not knowing all the good restaurants in town.  Being self-admitted foodies, we have struggled with not knowing all the great places to try.  


6.  Two incomes is better than one.


7.  Craic, although pronounced like crack, does not mean drugs...it means good fun.  For example, "tonight was good craic" or, "I had good craic with you tonight"...doesn't mean the same thing as the US.


8.  People smoke a lot here.  Even though pubs are smoke free, it doesn't stop them.  So unlike Dallas or Austin, when you go to a bar, you still end up smelling like smoke - it gets hot inside so you go outside where everyone is smoking already.  Your clothes reek when you get home.  


Week Two of work starts tomorrow - wish me luck - and Lauren will be keeping everyone updated with our weekend activities and new apartment.  Cheers!