Belfast is Burning. Because of COURSE IT IS.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

13. By the way...

The friendliest strangers that I've ever met were the owners and operators of an Irish pub in Philadelphia PA. I was there for a conference and visited that pub mostly because of the convenience, since it was located within walking distance of my hotel.

They were born and raised in Ireland. (Can't remember where.) They treated me like I was a long-lost relative or something. I ate a huge and delicious Shepherd's pie and drank some Irish beers.

Not sure why they ever came to the USA, a meaner country. I looked up that pub on the internet a few years later, and they were gone. (New owners.)

That level of friendliness made me want to visit Ireland someday, but it may never happen. And it's clearly not a universal trait over there, but wow! So pleasant.