While in Dublin I attended two parties, the office Christmas party that I already mentioned and a private party. The private party was a posh affair with champagne and finger food from Marks and Spencer being carried around on trays while people talked shop.
I myself chatted at length with a couple of Irish investment bankers living in London named Fergus and Rory, unless they were kidding about that.
Fergus has 108 first cousins. In a tiny town like Dublin this means you run into family quite a bit. And of course everyone attends Trinity University, so you have to be a bit careful who you snog at a party.
So sayeth Fergus.
I don't have any first cousins and found this insight into large families quite fascinating.
Incidentally, word about the American girl with no first cousins made the rounds pretty fast. When we took our leave several people I've never seen before in my life expressed sincere (albeit cautious) optimism that there might somehow be cousins in my future.
Merry Christmas, people. May you have many first cousins.
December 23, 2009
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I think I read something once that birds are more attracted to their first cousins than to siblings or complete strangers. Wonder if it's the same for humans who don't realize someone is their first cousin. ;)
ReplyDeleteWell I'm quite attracted and in touch with my first cousins.I have 3 such cousins.
ReplyDeleteThanks
TC
Whoa! 108 first cousins??? How many siblings did Fergus' parents have?
ReplyDeleteYour commentary is always insightful and amusing. I suspect you are on the top of everyone's invitation list.
ReplyDeleteHow funny! I only have 4 first cousins.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Laura!
wait, is a first cousin equivalent to a regular cousin? if so, i am highly unattracted to mine.
ReplyDeleteMy first cousins? Nah. . . Now my SECOND cousing is HOTTTT!!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Festivus!
Yeah. 108? That's nuts. I have one first cousin that's about 12 years older than me and I thought he was pretty cute for awhile. The others? Not so much.
ReplyDeleteWow. 108? Sounds like my hubby. I'll stick with my few..MERRY CHRISTMAS!
ReplyDeleteOh, to be young and on the A list. But since I don't even know about Marks & Spencer, it would surely be a long haul for me.
ReplyDeleteIf only my collection of nieces and nephews equaled my weight!
Have a super holiday, Laura.
We run into the same problem at neighborhood gatherings in the South. Nothing worse than tonguing down a new acquaintance that turns out to be kin.
ReplyDeleteYour commenters are hilarious. Marry Christmas to you--Santa has already been to Europe as of this moment.
ReplyDelete108 first cousins? Sheesh - quite a family! :) I only have 6 first cousins - and am attracted to none of them. ;)
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Very Merry Christmas! :)
I don't have any first cousins either. As I'm from the south if I did have a few it would be perfectly ok to snog them.
ReplyDelete