My boss made me wear green to work for St. Patrick’s Day, in fact he mandated it! My boss is not Irish; he’s French Canadian, for ‘Saint-Jean-Baptiste’ Day (also known as Quebec Day) last year we did…nothing. I’m not Irish either; I was born in a poor idealist nation on the west coast of Africa, regrettably, I celebrate my country out of duty rather than pride.

It seems it’s not enough that I show up and work diligently everyday. I’m forced to wear green, I look hideous in green!! The boss gave out green teddy bears, chocolates, we had green cake and soda; I’m not sure what those things have to do with St. Patrick’s Day. Years back when we had Irish neighbours; they went to church on St. Patrick’s Day and had a huge dinner at home, they didn’t wear silly green outfits or drink green beer. They drank lots of beer all year round, they’re Irish.

A co-worker dyed her hair green and invited me out for drinks; she calls it the other beer-drinkers-festival. She says she’s of Irish descent, yet the most she knows about Ireland is “her people came here from there” and “all that business with the IRA terrorist” (which is Northern Ireland, by the way)

It’s disappointing how little people know/or want to know about Ireland seeing how we’ve embraced their special day with such fervour.

Trying to talk my way out of wearing green, I found my boss didn’t even know who or what the Taoiseach is (prime minister, pronounced “te’shock”) My co-worker doesn’t know Ireland beyond those who arrived on Ellis Island in the 1500 -1900s; another doesn’t even know that Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland are two different places. Yet I’m forced to look dignified in green, listen to my boss’ bad Pierce Brosnan impressions; drink mysterious green liquids, and stare at the huge shamrock plastered on my window, all for some westernized event that doesn’t even reflect its people?

And why did I give in to my boss’ outrageous demand? I mean it’s not like he’s the Gardai (Irish police) or can fire me for refusing to wear green, right? Well, I felt he meant well, plus aren’t I always the docile worker bee.

Up here, we had an Irish-sort-of day, it rained all day, the temperature was just right… not too cold. When I got home, I had some green beer and curled up with a good Maeve Binchy novel.

Hope your St. Patrick’s Day was great!

PLAYING: Englishman in New York – Sting

READING: Brick Lane – Monica Ali

WATCHING: Train 48

QUOTE: “It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile”