Let's Get Craic-ing!

Pre-script: This article was published in the March edition of "The Inkslingers".

I have been fortunate enough to visit the homeland of the Leprechauns recently.

The weather there was typically Irish – unpredictable – and the winter was frigid cold. But the sights were truly magnificent. That is not, however, what intrigued me the most.

It’s not St. Patrick’s Day if that’s what you think I meant. It is the craic that was most noteworthy as it is quintessentially Irish. Pronounced as crack, the term does not correspond to any specific translation or definition. But it can be roughly captured as 'fun' or 'general enjoyment'. There can be great craic going on, especially in pubs, or you could be a craic yourself by being good company.

Other than in social settings, the merriment culture of craic can be seen in other aspects of Irish society. To go along with the craic, one needs a more relaxed outlook. As such, the intense “over-time” brand of Asian working lifestyle is unheard of in that part of the world. They work efficiently during working hours and come 5p.m., they bolt out the door to unwind. And the politicians too are a lot more casual in carrying themselves in public, lest be deemed snobs and not embodying the craic, which may cost them the election.

This culture is something that perhaps could be beneficial to be acculturated into our own. We are a serious, protocol-conscious, and high-strung group of people. Couple that with our cholesterol-laden diet of daily nasi lemak and/or roti canai, that is a recipe for heart attack. Or at the very least – anxiety attack.

So why not try to loosen up a bit and take more time to enjoy life? We start small, with ourselves and those in our charge – family and employees perhaps. Then maybe we can get this thing viral, like an internet meme.

It is going to be a long way before the entire society can get on with this culture, so we better get craic-ing now!