I found one, I found one: was in the Post Office and there was a couple with broad Irish accents (mid 60s I guess much like me). Then bumped into them in the next department store. We were all looking at kid's Christmas T shirts. I asked if the man spoke Irish, and he said: Oh not for years. I slugged him with: An bhfuil Gaeilge agat? He looked very surprised, and out came an avalanche of Irish! I responded with: Tá roinnt Gaeilge agam. For a moment I thought he might have a heart attack: Tá roinnt, tá roinnt???? And with a finger pointing at me: how did you know to say that, who taught you that, tá roinnt. I confessed I only have a little Irish; best not to frighten people huh! His wife looked quite happy to have a free hand digging through the T shirts. BUT did I ask them to have coffee or ANYTHING USEFUL like ongoing contact ...... nup, I blew it. Nice people, I think he said: Go mbeannai Dia is Muire duit.

Maybe I should advertise for a conversation group to start up locally.

My daughter has found me one in the Gosford area, just an hour north, starts up again next February - so that too is exciting - can make it a regular family visiting day as well.

Still it was one bright spot in these glummest of days in sydney.
Nollaig shona duit,
JulieA

It's always exciting when you spot Irish speakers in the wild!

I was once wearing a T-shirt that said "An bhfuil Gaeilge agat?" and was brought up short when a woman spotted it and replied with "Tá neart Gaeilge agam! Is múinteoir Gaeilge mé!"

Redwolf

Humans have such a strong compulsion to honor what we consider to be social norms some will burn in fires because of it. Needless to say, you are not the first or last to do something like that. I have a Danish friend who is studying Russian and he ran into a woman at his library who approached him and spoke Russian with him. And he blew it in exactly the same way. He said the chances of coming across another Russian speaker in his area will be next to 0.

We learn from these things, right? At least I hope we do... I still get too nervous in these situations myself.

Love it - did you create the T-shirt yourself or buy it? The husband might disown me, on second thoughts. But it is a good way of advertising - after all no one else would know what it said. I do admire your courage - and you got results.

We would have even less chance of finding a Russian speaking person round these parts - just not very cosmopolitan at all.

JulieA

Well there you go - a million Irish T-shirts just waiting to be worn. Guess I could dress a grandchild in one and carry the kiddo around! What fun.

Go raibh maith agat!

JulieA

A friend made it in her Cafe Press or Zazzle shop (can't remember which). I keep hoping to get skinny enough to wear it again!

Redwolf

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That’s such a lovely story, Julie! I really enjoyed reading it. It’s funny how a simple phrase like “Tá roinnt Gaeilge agam” can completely light up someone’s face—it shows how much connection people feel through the language, kind of like how geometry dash lite brings players together through shared challenges. I think finding a local conversation group is a brilliant idea, especially if your daughter has already tracked one down nearby. Thanks for sharing!