4.5 min readBy Published On: March 12th, 2013Categories: Features2 Comments on How to be a lady on St. Patrick’s Day

Written by Heather Foley

I’m going to let you in on a not so little secret, I kinda hate the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  I love the actual holiday, live Irish music, Irish step dancing, Evacuation Day exercises, day drinking, but the parade is amateur hour in Southie.  Knuckleheads come in droves and turn my sleepy little beach-front community on its ear.  And do you know who I think are the worst offenders?  The ladies!  I use the word “ladies” loosely because there’s very little ladylike behavior going on.  That ends now.  I’m not the fun police.  I want you to have fun in my hood, however there is no reason you can’t conduct yourself in a manner your grandmother would be proud of, so listen up girls.

First off it’s a marathon, not a sprint.  Not everyone can start the day funneling bloody Marys and make it to 3PM, know your tolerance level.  And there’s no shame in skipping a round or three.  Well, maybe there is a little shame, but trust me, there’s much more shame in passing out at L and 5th with dried throw-up on your Irish knit.

Speaking of Irish knits, let’s dress appropriately, shall we?  When you plan your outfit ask yourself, “How will I be spending the day?”  If the answer is, “on my friends couch” you probably don’t want to be dressed in four layers topped off with an Irish knit sweater. If you’re bar and house party hopping or plan on standing and watching the parade you might want to leave the green four inch hooker heels at home.  Don’t get me wrong, they are awesome, but even RuPaul would have trouble walking from the L St. Tavern to the Cornerstone in those things.  And ladies just because its St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t mean you have to pile on every green article of clothing and accessory you own, then go to iParty and buy all their green crap too.  Green can be a tricky color, its not super flattering on everyone (I have no problem wearing it, but some of you do).  Coco Channel said to take off one thing before you leave the house, let’s follow her advice.  Actually some of you should take off at least 2 things, I’m talking to you with the shamrock antennae and beer mug sunglasses, you look ridiculous.

I know you want to raise the roof, drop it like it’s hot, get crunk, and whatever the hell else kids do nowadays, but remember the whole day is planned around a parade, and a parade means families, and families mean childen.  I know it’s hard to believe, but yes the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is technically a family event and every street will have impressionable little ears on it, so please act like it.  I’m not saying don’t have fun, but let’s make a pact to watch the swearing, peeing, and puking in public.  And if you really feel the need to swear, why not swear in pig Latin for uck-fae’s sake?

So even though I warned you to take it easy, you over-indulged (I wish I could say I was surprised) and now you’re wasted, nice job Anna Nicole.  Okay, you can still make it though the day with some of your dignity intact.  Look down, is there puke on your shirt?  If yes turn it inside out or backwards.  If no, excellent.  Now grab an empty green solo cup, pretend to drink from it but we’re really just keeping it close by in case you need to puke into it, discreetly of course.  Try to get your hands on a scally cap and angle that brim down low to cover up your drunky eyes.  EAT SOMETHING.  Seriously, now would be a good time to have a couple crackers.  Are you wearing a skirt?  If you are you might want to enlist the help of girlfriend to let you know if you flash your lucky charms (always a dead giveaway that you’re smashed), and depending on the cut of your top, she might have to be on boob patrol too.

Final lesson, know when to go home.  I have to admit, this is something I struggle with.  I have no idea when to call it a night, or a day for that matter.  I’m always afraid I’m going to miss something.  But here’s a little secret about Sunday, you won’t miss anything good if you pack it in while it’s still light out.  Sure you might miss a scary fight or two, some chicks crying in the middle of the street, a DB peeing in an alley way, and general grossness, but nothing you want to see anyway.

Are you ready for Sunday now?  Do you think you can enjoy the day like a big girl?  I think with my advice and some common sense you’ll make me and your nana proud.  And not to sound threatening, but I’ll be out and about, looking, listening, taking notes.  If I see you actin a fool, I will call you on it, and I really don’t want to have to call anyone an unt-cae in front of my son.
 

2 Comments

  1. LadyBro87 March 12, 2013 at 5:54 pm

     

    This is, by far, the most condescendingarticle I’ve read in ages. While I, in no way, support people turning into drunken messes in front of children, your holier-than-thou attitude is ridiculous. How dare you tell me how to have fun? So what if green isn’t my color? It’s a holiday and it’s fun to get dressed up. If I want to wear my shamrock antennae, what’s it to you? I’m a lady who likes to have a few beers (read: a lot of beer), wear ridiculous light-up jewelry, and spend an afternoon outside with my friends dancing to bagpipes.

    Oh and honey, don’t act like you’re saying anything that we haven’t all heard before with this “advice” you’re dealing out. 

  2. Anonymous March 13, 2013 at 6:48 am
    No advice on how men should act like gentleman? Oh that’s right, men can act however they want and not be admonished for it because after all, “boys will be boys.” But, ladies, you will be judged on everything you do.

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