Teen Times: Being a French person in Ireland is génial. Irish people seem to love the Land of Wine, better-known nowadays as Zidane's country. However, we French are not always as génial when it comes to the Irish, writes Mahe Adrian
French people cannot help having racial prejudices. The French definition of an Irish person would probably be "red-haired, freckled and alcoholic person who lives in a country where it is always raining". But do not worry, if you compare it to what we think of British people, the definition turns out to be less cruel than what it appears. In fact, French people do appreciate the Irish, they just cannot admit it.
For the elderly, your Catholic roots are quite similar to the ones of the old France. Besides, they believe that our communities always got on well and are grateful to you: what would they do without Jameson and Guinness? St Patrick's Day has enabled a greater knowledge of Irish culture through pubs in France. It is considered as less artificial than Halloween and it is a good excuse to party and enjoy une bonne pinte de bière.
Nevertheless, what French people usually forget is that while the Irish like a drink, your culture does not revolve only around alcohol. Most of them ignore the wonderful things hidden here - Glendalough, Newgrange, the Wicklow Mountains to name just three. We do not have such places just a few miles away from the centre of our capital.
Riverdance, The Lord of the Dance - our dancers are just boring compared with them. Hurling, Gaelic football - we have no typical French sports. Irish civilisation is definitely spectacular.
Whatever about their prejudices, French people who walk on the Irish soil instantaneously become true ambassadors of your country. Once we discover Ireland, all cliches (no wonder this word has been kept as the French invented it) vanish.
What a pity our channels do not broadcast Gaelic football games. Believe me, they would all love it. Boys would think that Italian soccer players were pathetic when diving and staying on the floor for ages, crying out for a foul - they might start to think Materazzi was a good actor and Zidane did not deserve the red card.
As for our girls, they would enjoy watching handsome No 14 from the Mayo team.
Grafton Street has no equivalent in our capital, we can go shopping sur les Champs and we can enjoy street entertainment in Montmartre but we do not get both at the same time. Besides, shopping addicts can vouch that summer sales in Dublin are much better than the ones in Paris.
In fact, Dublin offers the assets of all European capitals but does not impose their drawbacks. Historical monuments have not been affected by the recent incredible development of the city.
Dubliners are still welcoming and open-minded, unlike many European capital's citizens, and that particular social aspect contributes to give a very positive idea of Ireland. I wish every single French person could have the chance to see Ireland's true face, to discover its great beauty. Because even though you talk it up and promote it as best as you can, words will never replace what you see with your own eyes in the Land of the Celts.
•Mahé Adrian (16) from Paris is on a week's work experience in The Irish Times after completing her baccalaureate
•Submissions of 500-word articles are welcome from teenagers to teentimes@irish-times.ie. Please include a phone number
