Rick Steves' Secrets For Blending In Like A Local While Hanging Out In Irish Pubs

The perfect itinerary would not be complete without visiting at least one of Ireland's traditional and atmospheric pubs. These are among the many aspects of Irish culture that have made their way around the world. Even small towns on the island have plenty of pubs to pick from. But no matter where you go, it is important to know how to blend in like a local in these beloved institutions.

Globetrotter and travel company mogul Rick Steves has enjoyed enough Irish pubs to understand how to blend in, which is best done by knowing pub etiquette. Most of this comes down to becoming a part of the pub's community, even if it is just for the evening. "It's a tradition to buy your table a round, and then for each person to reciprocate. If an Irishman buys you a drink, thank him by saying, 'Go raibh maith agat' (guh rov mah UG-ut). Offer him a toast in Irish — 'Slainte' (SLAWN-chuh), the equivalent of 'cheers,'" Steves and guidebook co-author Pat O'Connor state on Steves' website. This advice implies that you might be mingling with strangers at Irish pubs, but this is a good thing.

Pubs are places for Irish locals to meet up with friends and chat. For tourists, hanging out at a pub is an underrated way to meet locals and have an authentic experience in Ireland. Being extroverted enough to talk to strangers might be daunting for some, but Ireland is the perfect place to try it. Tourists are calling the country the most friendly European destination and pub culture is part of this high praise. Pop star and proud Ireland native Niall Horan summed it up well in a British GQ interview stating, "The Irish always seem to be smiling."

"A good excuse for a conversation is to ask to be taught a few words of Irish Gaelic," Rick Steves explains. Keep in mind that generally the further west you are on the island, the more Irish language speakers you'll find. But no matter where you go, you'll notice street signs in both English and native Irish as the country aims to keep the language going strong for locals and visitors to learn. The locals you encounter at pubs will likely be happy to share it too.

Another way to blend in like a local at an Irish pub is to be confident in what you're ordering. You don't want to end up with something you weren't expecting and then have to explain the issue to the bartender. "When you say 'a beer, please' in an Irish pub, you'll get a pint of Guinness," says Rick Steves. "If you want a small beer, ask for a glass, which is a half-pint. If you do order a Guinness, you also need the patience to trust the process. Bartenders will likely partially fill the glass, let it sit for a moment, and then fill the rest up to the top.

All of this is not to say that you must buy and drink multiple pints when visiting an Irish pub. If don't want to drink much or don't want the obligation to take your turn in buying a round of drinks for the table, simply decline early on in the evening. Someone from another table may still send a drink your way. This is the exception to the unsaid rule of reciprocation, so don't worry about knowing who bought you a drink so that you can buy them one too.