Left for Australia, and I actually miss how progressive people in Ireland are

I moved to Dublin in my 20s and stayed in Ireland for most of it, then recently moved to Australia.

While I do love it out here, I just always took for granted how progressive Irish people (both millennials and even older generations) were. Even in the countryside or among older generations they’d catch themselves if they said something or could call out a small injustice they saw. I felt a lot safer in workplaces even if it was male-dominated or I was the only non-Irish.

Then over here in Oz, I’m living in a metropolitan city and work in the medical field, and realised that young people here are really quite conservative despite it being culturally more diverse. Lots of mild-moderate sexism happening without people calling it out, or racism. Even being in culturally diverse or highly educated groups. I’d catch 20-something year olds saying blatantly misogynistic things while it’s just tolerated amongst their peers. While when the same thing happens on Irish forums or in public people are more quick to point out the prejudice or call out their friends.

Really made me realise I didn’t appreciate this about Ireland while I lived there. Just wanted to drop this little bit of appreciation.

Edit: oh wow I completely forgot about this post, and came back on with loads of notifications. Thanks for the love lads!

Edit 2: also to add even the attitude towards immigrants in general is different. I was in Ireland when the Ukraine refugees came over, and the acceptance people had was incredible. As well as to the waves of Brazilian, Polish, Nigerian, etc immigrants. Whereas here in Oz even the more progressive people will see immigration (even skilled) as the major reason for COL and many other societal issues. Calling certain cities “little Mumbai” or “Chinatown” is not uncommon