The Irish Tendency To Slag Each Other Off Has Sparked An Interesting Online Debate

How's things, ya big dope? Ah, only messin' with ya.

We love nothing more a good slagging here in Ireland. Even if we're on the receiving end, we all tend to enjoy when someone points out our silly little quirks and foibles. As long as it's someone we know and love, of course.

While taking the mick out of each other comes naturally to most of us, to an outsider it might seem a little bit hard to grasp. Take this Reddit user, going by the username of Rollyta, who has posted an observation about our slagging while seeking advice on how to pull it off. The post reads:

'As someone who didn't grow up with slagging its a tricky part of Irish culture for me to grasp. I do have decently good English on my side. I get the idea behind it, but cant seem to pull it off. There is something that Im missing that I cant put my finger on it, the few times I have tried to insult someone back it gets nasty. Now I end up awkwardly laughing along because I don't want to risk a fight starting.'

A fight? Sure, it's only a bit of slagging, wha? Other Reddit users have been quick to help the poster out, with one saying 'I'm afraid it's just an instinct. It also helps to be familiar with the people you're slagging. If it's a case that you're not acquainted enough that offense is a possibility, they really shouldn't be slagging you anyway', while another added 'Always start light to gauge someone's reaction. I grew up with a lot of slagging, but when I went to college it was considered excessive by my peers and I had to rein it in a lot.'

All good advice but trust a few replies to go straight in with the craic, namely at the expense of the posters username with comments like 'Have ye got a spare rolly, bud?' and 'You just gotta rolly with it.'

Aren't we just gas altogether. We hope this helps the original poster and they go to absolute town on their peers the next time they're out and about.