Australian prime minister Tony Abbott recorded a special message for St. Patrick's Day. Unfortunately, it's being slammed in the Irish media as "patronising" and "awkward".
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An Irish businessman told the Irish Times he hoped a video designed for a business function would have more of a business-focused message.
“There are so many good stories of Irish people in business in Australia, Mr Abbott’s lack of awareness of any of that is astonishing,” he said.
There were some pretty sweeping generalisations and Irish stereotypes in there, but also some moments that were straight-up bizarre.
1. When he very lightly touched his own fingertips.
2. When he waggled his green tie.
3. When he made a joke about how much he hates the environment.
LOL climate change!
4. This smirk.
5. When he made this nuanced historical observation.
6. When he clasped his hands over his chest like a dead person.
7. When he declared St Patrick's Day "a great day for the Irish... and the English".
8. When he was incredibly specific about which cultures like to have a drink.
9. When he called the late historian Patrick O'Farrell "Paddy" just to Irish it up a bit.
10. When he made a joke about how much the Irish like drinking Guinness.
11. Those hands again.
