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[W432]What Guys Really Think About

by Kathy Morgan, Kat

By Kathy Morgan

As an American living in Galway City, Ireland, I have it on pretty good authority (my own Irish friends) that the Irish people really do like Americans. As I've been legally resident here for over two years and am no longer regarded as a "tourist" or "outsider", my friends tend not to "mind" their tongues when I'm around. From comments and conversations I frequently overhear on the subject of the United States, I've gathered that the Irish perceive us to be a gregarious lot. Bold, often cheeky and outspoken, but respected as a people with whom one usually knows where one stands.

In preparation for writing this article, I posed the question directly to one of my closest friends, Brian, the kind of friend who can be counted on to let you know if you have spinach stuck between your teeth. Well, Brian replied that although the Irish, as a whole, aren't particularly keen on American politics at the moment--a view, I might add, which seems to be shared by most of the EU--Americans ourselves...they like us just fine.

Another friend I spoke to echoed Brian's sentiments, then went on to relate a conversation he'd recently overheard, where a man from the U.S. had taken great offense at being referred to as a "Yank". This particular man had complained loudly that the term was almost a racial slur, akin to an American referring to an Irishman as "Paddy".

Well, as one who makes my home here, I would have to strongly disagree with that fellow's interpretation. Point in fact: Brian has two friends named "Kathy", and he has me listed in his mobile phone address book as Kathy Yank. When I brought the matter up to him for clarification, he explained that the term Yank is meant to be affectionate, not derogatory.

So there.

All that said, however, no one would argue that there are cultural differences between the two societies. If I do say so, I've become pretty adept at spotting an American tourist before he opens his mouth. It's hard to put into words, but there's just something about our personalities: we're more demonstrative, more assertive--and maybe tend to demonstrate a little less patience-- than our average Irish friend.

Of course, watching us wandering through medieval castles, ancient stone circles and other millennia-old heritage sites with our mouths unhinged in awe is pretty much a dead giveaway in itself. And it's easy to spot us in the pubs, as well. As the Irish trad musicians jam on fiddle, uillean pipes and the bodhr'n (those round, wooden, hand-held drums played with a double-beater), we're the ones with big grins on our faces while bobbing our heads to the lively beat.

And it would be those very things that seem to endear us to the Irish people. (The other day I told my friend Jackie that I was "slow as molasses" at getting something done. And, sure, I'll never hear the end of that one.) But let's face it, age-wise, the United States is a mere infant in the grand scheme of things. A big baby, to be sure, but still a country less than three hundred years old. Then we discover Ireland and are suddenly surrounded by age-old structures and artifacts, many of which date back to prehistoric times.

I will always remember the awe I felt during my first trip here. Driving the narrow, winding roads through County Clare leaving Shannon Airport, I suddenly looked up. And there on a hilltop was a real, true to life, ancient stone castle! Fairytale awesome!

So the only advice I would give anyone visiting Ireland--or any other foreign country for that matter--is to mind your manners. I mean, we are guests in someone else's home here, after all. So we should behave accordingly, using proper travel etiquette.

With that in mind, I've written a short list of "Dos and Don'ts" that will make a person welcome, not only in Ireland but anywhere in the world.

* Be polite, not smug or argumentative. (Remember, nobody likes a know-it-all)

* Don't complain about the prices, the wait in line, or the weather (Come on now... you knew it rained a lot here before you came).

* Don't brag about how much bigger, better, more modern, etc., things are in the U.S.

* Keep your voice down. The people three tables over don't really care to know how much you made when you closed that last deal.

In closing, I'd have to say to those Americans planning a visit to Ireland, Cead mile failte (a hundred thousand welcomes). Come along and enjoy the ceol agus craic (music and fun) and experience for yourself the obsequious warmth and charm of the Irish people.

Who knows? You may be just like me and find you never want to leave."

I'd like to start this article with a test ?

What do you get when you cross a Northern Canadian male, a 4x4 truck and heavy rain?

You guessed it! ? Mud Bogging!!!!

That is how I spent my morning. My husband's new truck was too shinny, so he felt he had to get it dirty again just so he could wash it for the fourth time this week.

Of course, I won't say no to adventure so I hung up my leather coat and pulled out my bush jacket. Put away my fashion footwear and pulled on my rubber boots.

Then we hit the trails! I bit my tongue, possibly dislocated a shoulder and lost my sunglasses, the whole time yelling, "Yahooooo!"

We made it home in one piece but I think our mechanic is going to make some real easy money in the next couple of days. :0)

What does this have to do with business you ask? It's called balance ? and if you don't have balance, work and business are a whole lot tougher and a lot less fun.

This week I created a rather enlightening assignment for myself. My coach and I were discussing the importance of knowing what kind of an image we portray to the world.

How we think others see us and how we are actually perceived may be worlds apart.

Being a successful business owner, or achieving success in any endeavor, has a strong connection to how others regard us.

Building a solid, successful business is highly dependent on the relationships we build with our clients and customers.

You can provide a top quality product or service, but if a potential buyer does not feel comfortable with you or a sense of trust or caring on your part, it doesn't matter how good your product is.

In order to measure how I was portraying myself to others, I created a questionnaire and distributed it via e-mail to my family members, friends, peer coaches, clients, and acquaintances.

I asked for feedback from people I have known for only a few weeks, and some who have known me for years.

I wanted to capture a good cross-section that would cover the many different relationships over varying time periods.

I asked them to list for me the first five words or images that come to mind when they hear the name, Laurie Hayes.

The results came quick and I received close to 90 different answers. Many answers were also the same and this greatly assisted me in determining what the top five images were.

There was a tie for first place between "caring" and "funny." Actually, I collected, "humorous," "funny," "very funny" and "funny as hell!"

This gave me great peace of mind knowing that if some day I decide to abandon entrepreneurship, I can always join the circus! ;-)

This exercise was wonderful in that it demonstrated I am on track with my purpose.

My goal is to move others to where they want to be by providing support and inspiring action while keeping it fun. And through the feedback received, I know I am on course.

This was a great (and very important) exercise. How many businesses have failed because owners have failed to solicit feedback?

Often times, people will not tell you where you are falling short. And if they do, are you listening to them?

Instead of sharing their thoughts, some may let the friendship fade, find a new supplier, or even though they continue to associate with you, not recommend you to anyone else although they have ample opportunity.

It is very important to ask for feedback so you can measure your position.

If you want to portray a certain image, ask for others' opinions. This will help you know if you're accomplishing what you set out to or to the degree that you could be.

You must let those you ask know that absolute honesty is desired and that you respect their input and candor.

You should also be willing to accept what is presented. If you don't like some responses or if you disagree with them, look at the math.

If several people have indicated, "uninterested," take this seriously. Do not allow your judgment to step in and decide that they are wrong.

Think about what role you play in creating this feeling for them, and then decide what you will do about it.

If this response has been generated by several of those questioned, how many others may not have felt comfortable enough to offer you the same feedback even though they share it?

How do you think you portray yourself to others?

How are you really portraying yourself?

Measure and remain open to the results.

If you want to achieve success, you need strong, healthy relationships and you play a pivotal role in creating and maintaining them.

As a Life Strategy/Small Business Coach, Laurie works with small and home-based business owners who face the distinct challenges presented to small business. She is the author of numerous articles and a bi-weekly newsletter, "The Heart of Living."

To subscribe to her free newsletter and learn more about coaching, visit http://www.wheretheheartis-lifecoaching.com

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Both Kathy Morgan & Rutina G Palito Palito are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Kathy Morgan has sinced written about articles on various topics from . An American writer living in Galway City, Ireland, Kathy Morgan is the author of Irish Travel Secrets...An Insider's Guide to the Lyrical Wonders of the Emerald Isle" http://www.celticmists.com. Kathy Morgan's top article generates over 480 views. to your Favourites.

Rutina G Palito Palito has sinced written about articles on various topics from Ideas for Scrapbooking, Treadmill Exercises and Debts Loans. I am Fitness Equipment publisher and author.. Rutina G Palito Palito's top article generates over 3600 views. to your Favourites.