We are a nation of brooding pessimists, research finds...
MAYBE IT’S our gloomy weather, 800 years of colonial oppression, or just listening to George Lee for too long.
Whichever, it is official: we’re a nation of brooding pessimists.
New international research shows Irish people have the darkest outlook on the economy and believe the current crisis will last longer here than anywhere else.
That’s according to a poll of 19 countries on economic confidence. The Irish survey of almost 1,000 adults was undertaken by Behaviour Attitudes last month. A majority of Irish adults believe the situation is the worst it has ever been in their lifetime, while about half believe things will get worse in six months.
When asked about the inevitable upturn, it seems the Irish habit of finding a dark cloud in every silver lining continues: most feel it will last well beyond two years.
In contrast, people in the US are positively upbeat, with a majority expecting their personal circumstances will improve over the next six months. Even the Russians, not known for their sunny disposition, are more optimistic on this front than the Irish.
In most polls you can expect the odd discordant voice, someone who for reasons of bias, ignorance or just pure devilment takes an opposing view from the majority. Not this one. How many people feel the economy in Ireland is getting stronger, or even a little stronger? Zero per cent.
Despite the overwhelming sense of gloom at home, we seem a little reluctant to change our spending ways. We’re less likely than other countries to cut back on food or clothing, and we’re less likely to work longer hours to make up for lost income. Irish people are making some sacrifices, though. When asked – theoretically – what would be the first thing you would cut back on, holidays topped the list.
The extent of the national depression is likely to take many by surprise. It seems like only a few short months ago we were the most optimistic people in the world, living for the moment, seeing a sun-lit upland where others only saw gloom and privation. All that has changed.
There is one reassuring constant, though: the Government is always to blame. In fact, people are more likely to blame the Government for the economic crisis than either the banks, financial institutions, the Central Bank or the culture of corporate greed combined.
Some 39 per cent in Ireland blame the Government, compared with just 5 per cent in Germany.
But even in these parlous times, it’s good to see someone has a sense of humour. When asked about the Government’s response to the crisis, 1 per cent said it was doing “too much”.
Report by CARL O'BRIEN - Irish Times.
MAYBE IT’S our gloomy weather, 800 years of colonial oppression, or just listening to George Lee for too long.
Whichever, it is official: we’re a nation of brooding pessimists.
New international research shows Irish people have the darkest outlook on the economy and believe the current crisis will last longer here than anywhere else.
That’s according to a poll of 19 countries on economic confidence. The Irish survey of almost 1,000 adults was undertaken by Behaviour Attitudes last month. A majority of Irish adults believe the situation is the worst it has ever been in their lifetime, while about half believe things will get worse in six months.
When asked about the inevitable upturn, it seems the Irish habit of finding a dark cloud in every silver lining continues: most feel it will last well beyond two years.
In contrast, people in the US are positively upbeat, with a majority expecting their personal circumstances will improve over the next six months. Even the Russians, not known for their sunny disposition, are more optimistic on this front than the Irish.
In most polls you can expect the odd discordant voice, someone who for reasons of bias, ignorance or just pure devilment takes an opposing view from the majority. Not this one. How many people feel the economy in Ireland is getting stronger, or even a little stronger? Zero per cent.
Despite the overwhelming sense of gloom at home, we seem a little reluctant to change our spending ways. We’re less likely than other countries to cut back on food or clothing, and we’re less likely to work longer hours to make up for lost income. Irish people are making some sacrifices, though. When asked – theoretically – what would be the first thing you would cut back on, holidays topped the list.
The extent of the national depression is likely to take many by surprise. It seems like only a few short months ago we were the most optimistic people in the world, living for the moment, seeing a sun-lit upland where others only saw gloom and privation. All that has changed.
There is one reassuring constant, though: the Government is always to blame. In fact, people are more likely to blame the Government for the economic crisis than either the banks, financial institutions, the Central Bank or the culture of corporate greed combined.
Some 39 per cent in Ireland blame the Government, compared with just 5 per cent in Germany.
But even in these parlous times, it’s good to see someone has a sense of humour. When asked about the Government’s response to the crisis, 1 per cent said it was doing “too much”.
Report by CARL O'BRIEN - Irish Times.