Brits only exercised right to get it wrong first time

A Different View with Dave O’Connell

It’s hard to blame the Brits for the decision to leave Europe – and we’re talking politics here as opposed to football, and capitulating against Iceland in what must be seen as the most dramatic acceptance of the will of the people in the history of time.

The joke that Britain was so anxious to get out of Europe that even making the quarter-finals of France 2016 was a step too far has been a recurring one for days now.

But all Britain did was what we’ve done over and over again – and our actions were never taken as what Chris Tarrant might once have called our final answer.

We’re not just talking about Referenda, where we have a proud tradition of getting the bit of anger or anarchy off our chest with the first running of the vote and then doing what was expected of us when they give us a second chance.

The reality is that this has nothing whatsoever to do with politics; it is the default position in-built into us all – and think of how awkward life would be if people took us at our word on our first response.

Let’s say that, in a social context, we were taken seriously every time someone offered us a sweet or a slice of cake or another pint – and our first response was: “ah no, you’re grand.”

Nobody would be more surprised than ourselves if the offeree then walked away with the sweets/cake/drink.

The protocol is that we politely decline first time round and then appear to reluctantly accept the idea or offer put to us in the first place – and everyone involved knows that the first answer is not to be taken seriously.

It’s the same in the other direction, when it comes to that traditional post-meal dance of you fumble and I’ll pay.

Both parties start desperately looking for their wallet or through their handbag, insisting that they really, truly want to look after the bill for everything – all the while hoping that the other party locates their cash first.

But imagine your surprise if you happened to get your shout in marginally ahead of your fellow diner – and they quietly relented and agreed to let you settle the bill because you so clearly desire nothing more.

You’d be devastated and shocked in equal measure – because they declined to do the traditional diner’s dance.

The accepted protocol in such situations is that you start out from a position that is totally at odds with your actual stance – and the same thing applies to voting on Referenda.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.