Cheebah and all that - Limerick, Ireland

art ATTACK

A recent article in the Limerick Event Guide has caused a lot of comment around the city (which I suppose proves that quite a few people read it).
As the events guide has no letters page, I decided to republish the article here so that maybe people can comment on it.
The article is written by Richie Ryan who runs Centrestage Theatre School and is also a well known producer/director. His column is called Art Attack

RICHIE RYAN TALKS ART WITH CRAFT


What has happened to 'Thank You' or 'Your Welcome'?


I have become more and more aware of the lack of basic manners in th
e food, retail and front line customer care sector in Limerick
over the last number of months and weeks.  I have been regularly
greeted with a grunt, a grab, a chat to his or her workmate as I try
to do business, in what seems like total disinterest in the
customer.  It really irritates me.  Our friendliness has been one of
the unique factors in the character of this nation for many years and
it seems to be declining at a rapid pace.  Is it that we are all so
busy that we don't have time for staff training anymore? Maybe we
would prefer it that way?

I am glad to say "basic courtesy' still exists within the arts.  On a recent visit to Friarsgate Theatre in Killmallock to see the opening of the Island Theatre production of
Under Milk Wood, starring Jon Kenny and Myles Breen, I was welcomed
at the box office, greeted as I entered the theatre to take my seat,
invited to coffee at the interval, thanked for coming and wished good
night as I left the Theatre.  That's the kind of service I expect
from the front line in any business.

I know I will be ridiculed for the suggestion I am about to flag, but
could it be that the influx of non-national workers in the front line
of the retail sector has something to do with the deterioration in
the kind of service we  are known for?  I made the point to a friend
recently that if non-nationals are to be truly integrated into our
society, then the onus is on all of us to open the lines of
discussion and be aware of the expectations.  We cannot assume
anything.  It is not acceptable that any one side should be
presumptuous of the other.  I would suggest that what is perhaps
acceptable behaviour in one country is not in another and visa
versa.  If we are to foster the 'Friendlines' of Ireland we need to
outline this expectation to all our fellow workers including non-
nationals.  Let's open all the lines of discussion.

I have also noticed a lack of non-nations taking part in or as
audience members at the Theatre and yet there is no lack of
participation at the many nightspots around the city!

Richie Ryan

Editors note

limerick event guide would like to stage that ths is an opinion
article, and is not representative of the limerick event guide, in
fact, to be honest, we've found the non-nationals to be great, and
have only ever had problems with'nationals' in the retail business,
so maybe that's the balance

DJ Paul Murphy in Mickey Martins Limerick

As the cheebah sessions entered its fifth season at Mickey Martins last September, it brought one of its biggest ever guests in the form of legend Paul Murphy. An enthusiastic up for it crowd greeted his arrival and Paul returned the compliment with an excellent set which included some choice material from his own label Afro Art records.
Later his end of year list marked Mickeys out as an essential european destination!

My top 5 gigs 2004- Paul Murphy

Belgrade Festival Theres a bar called Idiot and the concierge in my hotel looked like a circus strongman & his friend just smoked "It's my job" he said. .. The Sounds of Carl Cox kept me awake Saturday night.. .The food was good though even though the drink came in a vinegar bottle and theres some quite strange buildings, you can fly a helicopter on some of them , through them even. The taxi driver played Cuban Music "Helps me against stress" he said. My kind of town..

Bialystock. KLUB METRO A three hour drive from Warsaw to the middle of THE
Forest. Only one rule on Polish roads "Always drive faster than the car in front!" , The chill out room has a sliding door like in Star Trek ("Engine Room!") and they drink Vodka in half pint glasses as I found out later. Great sound system.

Lyon La Marquise My first ever gig in France (on a boat too!) & I must say I
succumbed to a great deal of great French hospitalty. Its all true, the food is great & the wine is 10 times better than we get here.I succumbed so much I missed my plane next day.

Budapest CHA CHA CHA What a weekend! I was hospitalised , I missed my plane,
my credit card was refused. A great party though courtesy of Mr Attilla & friends.Watched the Greeks win the footy too.

Limerick Mickey Martins A tiny place so small that the dj box took up a third of it (it seemed). Rain & sun in equal measures all day plus what seemed like huge barrels of Guiness heading my way every five minutes.Hospitality in a way that only the Irish can do . Then the penance of a five hour coach journey next day.