10 incredible stories of Susan Travers read like a Hollywood script, yet every twist, turn, and triumph is rooted in hard‑won history. From glittering Riviera parties to the blazing desert sands of Libya, her saga is a masterclass in courage, audacity, and sheer willpower.

Nothing but sand, rocks, and despair surround Bir Hakeim, a desolate outpost in the Libyan desert. In May 1942, 3,500 Free French legionnaires committed themselves to one of the most extraordinary acts of bravery seen this side of mythology. For two weeks, they holed up in Bir Hakeim while tens of thousands of German and Italian troops with panzers and air support rained hellfire around them.

10 Incredible Stories Overview

10 The Socialite

Susan Travers was born in England in 1909 with a silver spoon shoved down her throat. From the time she first opened her blue eyes as an infant, she never wanted for anything. Her father was rich, her mother was richer, and the marriage was acrimonious at the best of times.

As a young girl, Susan was surely loved but largely ignored. Her father had been promoted to admiral in the Royal Navy, which brought the strict brand of discipline that soldiers often carry from the barracks into their own homes. According to her memoirs, Susan’s happiest moments in childhood were spent with her grandmother, away from her parents.

While Susan was still young, her father moved their family to the French Riviera to be closer to his new naval posting in Marseilles. As she transitioned from child to adult in the Mediterranean climate of southern France, Susan began spending more time away from home. She attended parties, went on skiing trips in the Alps, and learned tennis, as all the other fashionable women of the time were doing. She even competed at Wimbledon once.

Glamorous though her life was, it left a sour taste in Susan’s mouth. It was too tame. She wanted adventure, sex, and danger. “Most of all, I wanted to be wicked,” she said later. And in this universe, some wishes are granted. Even as she dreamed of a life more perilous, Hitler’s forces in the north were assembling like a storm cloud to bring all the danger that Susan could have hoped for.

9 The Red Cross

When World War II broke out, Susan was 29 years old. Her family had moved back to England, but she was still enjoying the Cannes high life on a monthly allowance. She’d grown into a beautiful, high‑spirited woman with an appetite to match, leaving her free to reject as many potential suitors as she took.

In her own words, life was “parties and champagne, and tangos and Charlestons, Vienna and Budapest and all sorts of places. I had lots and lots of friends. Lots and lots of young men. Well, lovers, really.” Her father, disapproving as always, once called her une fille facile—basically, a slut. Life was fun but increasingly empty.

When the papers announced the war, Susan jumped at the chance to do something more with her life. Like so many women at the time, she volunteered for the Red Cross. But Susan was a terrible nurse. She’d lived her whole life on tennis courts and ski slopes, and the sight of blood made her squeamish. She switched to driving ambulances, an occupation that suited her freewheeling spirit much better.

Susan soon found herself en route to Finland to ferry wounded soldiers off the battlefield. The Finnish Winter War was a bleak period, but Susan used it to hone her ability to drive under pressure, a skill that later saved the lives of thousands of men.

She was still in Scandinavia in 1940 when the French government signed an armistice granting Germany control of the country. With that single act, Susan’s old life disappeared in the blink of an eye. There was no going back. She was now a part of this war, for better or for worse.

8 The Driver

After the fall of France, Susan worked her way circuitously back to London. The French government had been split asunder, but there was still one man fighting to bring France back under the control of the French—General Charles de Gaulle. He had fled occupied France and set up his headquarters in England. There, he commanded the remains of the French military forces who were still loyal to his ideals of freedom. His army became known as the Free French.

Susan Travers found de Gaulle in London and volunteered to help the Resistance. The Free French were desperate for whatever help they could get, and Susan was immediately put to work as a nurse. In August 1940, she sailed to West Africa on a ship filled with rough‑and‑tumble Free French legionnaires.

For nearly a year, she went wherever she was needed. From Cameroon to the Congo and from Sudan to Eritrea, she mopped up gallons of blood and tended to the needs of dying men.

By June 1941, Susan was again desperate for change, so she volunteered to drive for a doctor while serving in the Middle East. To her surprise, her offer was accepted. Life was finally more exciting. When her doctor died by a land mine, she was assigned to another doctor.

Quickly, her reputation grew among the fighting men. She was a woman who refused no assignment. She would grit her teeth, clench the wheel, and drive straight through a minefield if it lay between her and where she needed to go. More than once, she arrived at her destination with bomb shrapnel embedded in her vehicle.

The legionnaires began to call her “La Miss,” an honorary title for the plucky Englishwoman who never backed down. As Trisha McFarland would have said, Susan had ice running through her veins—she never lost her cool. Then, on June 17, 1941, a man got blown up in a fruit garden, forever changing Susan Travers’s life.

7 The General

June 1941 found Susan Travers in Beirut, just another sandy, war‑torn city in a long line that never seemed to end. On the Western Front, Britain was still shell‑shocked by the devastation of the blitzkrieg. In the East, Minsk was in ruins, and the German Wehrmacht was rolling deeper into Soviet territory. The war seemed interminable, the deaths endless.

It’s possible, though, that the brutality of war has provided as many lovers as it’s taken. Susan certainly found that to be true. While in Beirut, General Marie‑Pierre Koenig of the Free French lost his driver to a bomb. La Miss was the next obvious choice. By that time in the war, General Koenig was one of the most respected officers of the legionnaires, so he required an equally respected chauffeur.

They took to each other immediately and soon became lovers. Since Koenig was married, they carried on their affair in secret. When Susan was bedridden in the hospital with jaundice, General Koenig brought flowers to her bedside and assured her that her job would be waiting for her when she got better. Even well after the war when Susan was in her nineties, she remembered her time with the general more fondly than any other period in World War II, perhaps even in her whole life.

But her cautiously built dreams of a life with General Koenig came crashing down at Bir Hakeim.

6 The Fort

Bir Hakeim was originally constructed in the 16th or 17th century during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. Built from rusty sandstone plucked from the surrounding desert, Bir Hakeim gives the appearance of having slowly risen from the landscape of its own accord, imbued with the begrudging sentience of an old and tired god. It’s a guardian of sand and howling winds, the kind of outpost where men were stationed to disappear from the sanity of civilization.

Italy had taken a turn at building up Bir Hakeim after gaining control of the territory in the aftermath of the Italo‑Turkish War in 1912. But the desert is a lonely place to die, and the fortress was largely abandoned in the years to follow.

As winter faded in early 1942, the Allies were in dire straits in northern Africa. They’d been caught by surprise by General Erwin Rommel in Benghazi, leading to an Allied retreat along the Libyan coast.

Somehow, they’d managed to regroup and form a defensive line, known as the Gazala Line, between the coastal city of Gazala and Bir Hakeim, 80 kilometers (50 mi) south of the coast. The line was marked by “boxes,” fortified outposts from which the Allies hoped to repel the German attack. Playing red rover with the Axis, the Allies hoped that wherever they were attacked, the line would hold.

5 The Brigade

In the swirl of preparation along the Gazala Line, General Koenig was ordered to Bir Hakeim. As his personal driver, Susan dutifully followed. Time was short—intel held that an attack on the line was imminent—and the Gazala Line at the time was no stronger than an idea.

Worse, when Koenig and the Free French arrived at Bir Hakeim, they found that their predecessors hadn’t finished the job of fortifying the outpost. With less than 4,000 men at his disposal, Koenig went to work.

For the next three months, the Free French dug in. They surrounded Bir Hakeim with an array of V‑shaped minefields that pointed away from the central position. They dug hundreds of foxholes, trenches, and underground shelters.

In less than 12 weeks, they turned the bare desert surrounding the crumbling fortress into a death trap. Travers helped wherever she could, ferrying workers and carting supplies around the work area.

As the circle of death grew complete, however, the same question weighed on everyone’s mind: Would it be enough?

4 The Desert Fox

While the Frenchmen toiled under the unforgiving sun in the Libyan Desert, a fox prowled just out of sight. General Erwin Rommel, newly appointed commander of the Afrika Corps, was marching East with 320 German tanks that were reinforced by another 240 Italian tanks. No stranger to African warfare, Rommel had been nicknamed “The Desert Fox” by journalists, and he carried the name proudly.

Rommel had spent the preceding months gathering his strength, but he knew that the British were doing the same. He needed to attack fast and hard before the defensive line got any stronger if he was going to have any hope of eventually taking Egypt and the vital supply lines afforded by the Suez Canal.

At the end of May 1942, Rommel approached Gazala with the full force of the 21st and 15th Panzer Divisions. All along the Gazala Line, soldiers hunkered down for the fighting to come. Nobody knew where he was going to attack the line.

But Rommel had no intention of playing a child’s game. He marched straight to the center of the line and engaged the British troops before making a show of moving north, hoping to draw most of the defenders with him.

It was all a trick. Under cover of nightfall, Rommel turned and led his army south. His plan was to flank the southern end of the Gazala Line and move north behind the Allied defenses, cutting off the army’s head by severing its supply lines.

The only thing that stood in his way was the tiny, undermanned Bir Hakeim outpost. It was going to be easy.

3 The Siege

May 27, 1942, dawned hot and dry over Bir Hakeim. Colonel Koenig had ordered all the women at the fort to be evacuated days earlier, but Susan Travers had refused to leave, telling him, “Wherever you will go, I will go, too.”

As a result, she was the only woman in the fort when Rommel’s first probing attacks landed. Besides her, there were 3,700 men left to defend Bir Hakeim. But the Desert Fox was attacking with seven times that number.

Rommel sent an armored Italian division to make the first attack on Bir Hakeim. At this point, he fully expected to “burn through the fort” in 15 minutes. To everyone’s surprise, the Free French sent the Italian force running with their tails between their legs. Forty Italian tanks were left behind, destroyed by mines and French artillery.

Rommel was incensed. He sent Koenig an ultimatum: surrender or be destroyed. Koenig replied, “We are not here to surrender.”

For two grueling weeks, the 1st Free French Brigade traded bullets with the Germans and withstood the massive barrage of tank fire. Rommel called in wave after wave of bombers to gut the fort, but the French persevered with suicidal tenacity. Susan Travers spent the entire siege in a foxhole sweating in the intense heat and waiting for the right bomb to fall that would blow her to pieces.

Finally, though, the French reached their limit. By the second week of June, they were out of food, ammunition, and most importantly, water. By their own design, they’d boxed themselves in with layer upon layer of trip wires and mines. They had to surrender or die. Koenig, however, saw a third option: they were going to break out of their self‑constructed prison.

2 The Escape

Escape from Bir Hakeim was a difficult proposition: they were surrounded by thousands of mines, and the Germans had encircled the fort with three concentric ranks of panzers.

Nevertheless, Koenig arranged the mission. They left in the dead of night, departing quietly in a line of vehicles just before midnight on June 10. Susan was driving Koenig’s car near the front, and all was going well until one of their trucks struck a land mine.

The night caught fire around them. Rommel quickly zeroed in on the would‑be escapees and ordered his men to fire at will. Tracer rounds streaked through the black night, highlighting their position for the heavy artillery.

Escape had been a gamble, a suicide charge. While vehicles and soldiers were blown to bits by tanks and land mines, Susan Travers finally got the chance to experience her brief moment of destiny. Over the roar of the tank shells, Koenig told Susan, “If we go, the rest will follow.”

So Susan went. She maneuvered into the front of the train of vehicles and floored it, blasting past panzers with mere meters to spare. She swerved around mines and bomb craters. Her reckless charge opened a hole in the German dragnet, allowing more vehicles to follow in her wake.

It’s estimated that she was responsible for the escape of almost 2,500 soldiers. By the time she reached safety, her vehicle had nearly a dozen bullet holes and chunks of shrapnel embedded in the metal.

1 The Legionnaire

All too often, love is as much a force of sorrow as of joy. Although Susan had risked her life to stay with Koenig, their affair wasn’t meant to last. He was, after all, a married man. After Bir Hakeim, Koenig’s wife joined him in Africa. Susan only saw him once after that, a decade later.

Susan spiraled into depression and contemplated suicide, but her indomitable spirit won out as always. In May 1945, she applied to the French Foreign Legion and was accepted, becoming the only female to serve as a legionnaire. She even sewed her own uniform because the legion didn’t have any designed for a woman.

Susan Travers eventually married and settled down. In 1956, she was awarded the Medaille Militaire for her actions at Bir Hakeim. The man who pinned the medal to her lapel was none other than Pierre Koenig. She never saw him again. Susan Travers died in 2003.

Eli Nixon is the author of Son of Tesla and its sequel, Mind of Tesla.

Men have held power since humanity’s dawn, and at every turn women have been pushed to the margins, forced into a second‑class existence. These 10 horrible realities lay bare the grim daily experiences that defined female life across centuries.

10 horrible realities of female oppression

10 Newborn Girls Were Regularly Left To Die

In ancient Athens it was a distressing norm for parents to abandon newborn daughters in the wilderness, a practice recorded as “exposing” the infant. A Greek author lamented, “Everyone raises a son even if he is poor, but exposes a daughter even if he is rich.”

Rome mirrored this cruelty, especially among the indigent. A surviving letter from a low‑status Roman husband to his wife reads, “A daughter is too burdensome, and we simply lack the money; if you bear a girl, we must kill her.”

Even in Egypt—renowned for comparatively progressive women’s rights—poverty drove similar tragedies. An Egyptian husband wrote, “If the baby arrives before I return, let a boy live; if it is a girl, expose it.”

9 Men Wouldn’t Touch Menstruating Women

The Roman scholar Pliny the Elder claimed that a menstruating woman could sour milk and even cause a swarm of bees to die merely by looking at them. He believed the very presence of a woman in that state was toxic.

Egyptian customs isolated menstruating women in separate buildings that men were forbidden to enter. Similarly, ancient Israelite law declared everything a menstruating woman touched as unclean, and Hawaiian tradition imposed the death penalty on any man who entered a menstrual hut.

In Papua New Guinea, the belief was taken to an extreme: touching a menstruating woman was thought to blacken his blood, dull his mind, and lead to a slow death.

8 Losing Your Virginity Was A Death Sentence

In Athens, a father could legally sell an unmarried daughter into slavery if she was discovered to have had sexual relations. Among the Samoans, a bride’s virginity was publicly verified by the chief who would rupture her hymen before witnesses to prove purity.

Rome imposed a terrifying fate on priestesses of Vesta: losing virginity before age thirty meant being buried alive. In ancient Israel, any woman who lost her virginity before marriage faced the death penalty by stoning, regardless of her status.

7 Men Were Expected To Be Sexual Predators

Roman law regarded slaves as property, and sexual activity with a slave was expected as part of the owner’s rights. Trouble only arose if a slave belonged to another master and the owner failed to ask permission; such an act was deemed property damage, not rape.

Women in certain occupations—actresses, waitresses, prostitutes—could never press rape charges. A notorious case saw a gang‑raped actress denied the right to sue because the assault was ruled “in accordance with a well‑established tradition at a staged event.”

Even Saint Augustine, considered progressive for his era, suggested that some women might derive pleasure from rape, reflecting the pervasive misogyny of the Middle Ages.

6 Brides Were Often Kidnapped

In parts of China, bride kidnapping persisted into the 1940s; Japan’s last recorded case occurred in 1959, and 19th‑century Ireland saw widespread bride‑stealing. Biblical narratives also recount mass abductions of women as war spoils.

Roman mythic origin stories even celebrate the practice: Romulus allegedly told the abducted Sabine women that they should be grateful to be “lucky enough to live in honorable wedlock.”

5 Women Were Forced To Kill Their Babies

Across many societies, mothers of deformed infants were compelled to end their lives. Roman law explicitly ordered that “a dreadfully deformed child shall be quickly killed.”

In practice, Roman mothers could either suffocate the infant or abandon it. Archaeologists uncovered a mass grave of roughly one hundred infant skeletons in the sewers of ancient Ashkelon, Israel, underscoring the scale of the tragedy.

Scholars estimate that one in four Roman infants did not survive past their first year, a grim testament to the era’s harsh attitudes toward disability.

4 Women Were Barely Allowed To Talk

In ancient Greece and Rome, women were barred from leaving the house without a male escort, and during social gatherings they were expected to retreat to their chambers, forbidden from speaking or dining with men.

Denmark’s “shrew’s fiddle” was a wooden contraption shaped like a violin that imprisoned quarrelsome women, binding their hands and faces while they were paraded through streets as a public warning.

England’s “scold’s bridle” was an even harsher metal mask equipped with sharp teeth and a bell, forcing any outspoken woman to endure ridicule and humiliation.

3 Adulterers Were Tortured

In Roman society, a husband could legally kill his wife if he caught her committing adultery. Early American Puritans mirrored this, sanctioning the murder of adulterous women under biblical law.

Medieval Europe escalated cruelty with devices like the “breast ripper,” a torture instrument designed to tear a woman’s breasts—a punishment sometimes applied even for a miscarriage, not just infidelity.

The sheer brutality of these methods highlighted a societal willingness to inflict extreme suffering on women for perceived moral transgressions.

2 Women Were Killed With Their Husbands

Until the 19th century in India, widows were expected to immolate themselves on their husband’s funeral pyre, a practice known as sati. In wartime sieges, entire villages of women would voluntarily set themselves ablaze, taking their children, to motivate their husbands for battle.

Male relatives would watch the flames, later smearing the ashes of their spouses on their faces as a gruesome talisman before heading back to combat.

1 Women Have Gone Through This Since The Beginning Of Humanity

Archaeological evidence from prehistoric African sites shows that early men remained in one locale while women were born elsewhere, implying that women were relocated—likely abducted—into their husbands’ homes.

This pattern suggests that even before recorded history, women experienced one‑sided, non‑consensual unions, with many likely kidnapped from rival tribes and forced into marriage.

The Irish are renowned for their quick wit, vibrant spirit, and a generosity that can fill a pub on a rainy night. Yet, centuries of stereotypes have left many outsiders guessing what truly makes a Celtic heart flutter. In this guide we’ll explore the top 10 ways to win the heart of an Irishman or woman – from respecting their history to sharing a hearty laugh over a steaming bowl of stew.

Top 10 Ways to Capture the Irish Heart

1 Do Not Under Any Circumstances Assume Irish Are Stupid

For far too long, the Irish have been unfairly branded as simple‑minded. The myth began when Irish laborers travelled to England in search of work, and some English jesters turned those migrants into punch‑line fodder. The truth? Irish people are among the world’s sharpest, famed for their clever repartee and inventive problem‑solving. Dismissing them as “stupid” is not only rude, it’s a grave misreading of a culture that prizes intellect as much as humor.

Imagine being judged before you even speak – no one enjoys that. Instead, celebrate the Irish reputation for razor‑sharp wit and you’ll instantly earn respect.

2 Let Them Talk and Tell Stories

When an Irish person starts a tale, you’re in for a ride of laughter, drama, and outright marvel. The tradition of storytelling – the “craic” – is woven into daily life. Invite your new Irish friend to spin a yarn, listen with genuine curiosity, and you’ll witness a cascade of humor, heart, and heritage.

These stories often blend myth with personal experience, turning ordinary moments into epic adventures. By giving them the stage, you’re showing you value their voice, and they’ll gladly return the favor with more unforgettable anecdotes.

3 Don’t Think Red‑Haired People Are Horrible

Red hair is a celebrated hallmark of many Irish families, yet it’s a mistake to assume every Irish person is a ginger. In reality, only a small slice of the population sports the fiery locks – roughly two out of thirty‑two in a typical class. The stereotype that all Irish are red‑haired is as misguided as any other blanket assumption.

Irish temperament is often painted as volatile, but it’s more a passionate fire than uncontrolled rage. Treat each individual as a person, not a caricature, and you’ll find warmth and kindness regardless of hair colour.

4 Compliment the Food

Irish cuisine is a hearty celebration of comfort and history. From the simmering richness of Irish stew to the buttery delight of soda bread, each dish tells a story of resilience. Praise the flavors of a traditional full Irish breakfast – eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding, potato bread, beans, mushrooms, and fried tomatoes – and you’ll be met with grateful smiles.

The very act of complimenting a beloved meal signals respect for the culture that forged it, especially when you acknowledge the ingenuity that turned scarcity into culinary triumph during the famine years.

5 Engross Yourself Fully In Proper Irish History

Irish history is a tapestry of rebellion, innovation, and perseverance. From daring street fights to historic hunger strikes, the nation’s past is packed with moments that shaped its identity. Dive into the stories of Gaelic heroes, the struggle for independence, and the cultural renaissance that followed.

Showing genuine interest in these events tells an Irish person you see beyond stereotypes and appreciate the depth of their heritage. It’s a direct route to the heart, because knowledge of history is a bridge to personal connection.

6 Join In With the Celebration That Is Music

Traditional Irish folk music is as lively as the people who create it. From jigs and reels to haunting airs, the melodies echo the nation’s spirit. Instruments like the fiddle, tin whistle, and concertina fill pubs and village squares with a rhythm that beckons everyone to join in.Whether you’re tapping your foot to a session in Dublin or humming a beloved ballad, expressing enthusiasm for Irish music signals you value one of their most cherished cultural pillars.

7 Visit and Explore Our Wee Isle

Ireland’s landscapes range from bustling cityscapes like Dublin and Belfast to hidden rural gems such as the rope‑bridge at Portstewart. The country offers both world‑class museums – the Titanic Belfast, the RDS – and awe‑inspiring natural vistas that leave visitors breathless.

Showing a willingness to wander the island’s streets, hike its hills, and discover its obscure corners demonstrates a sincere love for the land itself – a sentiment the Irish hold dear.

8 Sport Is a Massive Part In Ireland’s Culture

From the thunderous roar of a Gaelic football match to the precision of a hurling clash, sport runs deep in Irish veins. Sundays often see friends gathering in pubs to cheer on their county teams, a ritual that fuels community pride.

Engaging with these games – whether by learning the rules, wearing a county jersey, or simply cheering loudly – instantly aligns you with a core element of Irish life.

9 Alcohol Is a Humongous Stereotype Associated With Irish People

While the image of the Irish guzzling pints of Guinness persists, the reality is far more nuanced. Some Irish people abstain entirely for religious or personal reasons, while others enjoy a drink responsibly. The countless cozy pubs across the island are cultural hubs, but they don’t define every citizen.

Approach the topic with sensitivity: let an Irish friend bring up drinks on their own terms, and you’ll avoid the trap of reinforcing a one‑dimensional stereotype.

10 Finally, We Have the Irish People Themselves

Beyond all the legends, stereotypes, and cultural markers, the Irish are simply people – kind‑hearted, witty, and fiercely proud of who they are. Their generosity, humor, and resilience shine through in everyday interactions.

When you love an Irish person for exactly who they are, without filtering them through clichés, you’ll discover a bond that’s as enduring as the emerald hills themselves.

Written by: Margo Green

The Irish are famed for their quick wit, hearty laughter, and a kindness that runs deep through centuries of tumultuous history. Yet, they’re often pigeon‑holed by clichés that miss the vibrant reality of who they really are. If you’re hoping to win over an Irish gentleman or lady, you’ll need more than a shamrock and a pint – you’ll need genuine curiosity, respect, and a dash of good‑natured fun. Below are the top 10 ways to make an Irishman or woman like you, each packed with insight, humor, and a sprinkle of Irish charm.

Top 10 Ways to Make an Irishperson Like You

1 Do Not Under Any Circumstances Assume Irish Are Stupid

For far too long, jokes have painted the Irish as dim‑witted, a myth that began when itinerant Irish workers crossed into England seeking employment. Those early travelers were mocked, and the unkind stereotype stuck. In truth, Irish people have a reputation for sharp intellect and a razor‑edge wit. Dismissing them as “stupid” is not only inaccurate—it’s downright rude. Treat them as the clever, quick‑thinking individuals they are, and you’ll instantly earn respect.

Imagine being labeled with a blanket insult based solely on your nationality; it feels as unfair as any other baseless generalisation. The Irish, like any other group, deserve to be seen for their individuality, not a caricature. By rejecting this outdated notion, you open the door to genuine connection.

2 Let Them Talk and Tell Stories

When an Irish person gets going, the stories flow like a lively river. They love the “craic”—the fun, banter, and storytelling that forms the backbone of social interaction. Invite them to share a yarn, and you’ll be treated to anecdotes that blend humour, drama, and a pinch of exaggeration, all delivered with a twinkle in the eye.

Showing sincere interest in their tales signals that you value their voice. The more you listen, the more you’ll discover their personality, values, and the quirky details that make them uniquely Irish. In turn, they’ll feel a warm sense of appreciation and be eager to spend more time with you.

3 Don’t Think Red‑Haired People Are Horrible

Red hair has become a celebrated trait, especially in Ireland, where it’s often a point of pride. However, assuming that every Irish person is a ginger—or that red‑haired folks are somehow undesirable—is a misconception. Only a small fraction of the population actually sports the fiery locks.

The Irish are known for a passionate spirit, but that doesn’t translate into volatility. They’re quick to smile, quick to laugh, and only show a flash of temper when truly provoked. Treat them with the same openness you would anyone else, and you’ll find a warm, welcoming heart.

4 Compliment the Food

Irish cuisine may not be haute‑cuisine, but it’s hearty, comforting, and steeped in tradition. From a steaming bowl of Irish stew to the buttery goodness of soda bread, each dish tells a story of resilience and resourcefulness. Praise a well‑cooked Irish meal, and you’ll be met with a proud grin.

The historic famine forced the Irish to make the most of humble ingredients, turning potatoes, lamb, and oats into culinary staples that still delight today. Whether it’s a full Irish breakfast—complete with black pudding, sausages, and a side of soda bread—or a simple plate of champ, showing appreciation for these dishes signals respect for their culture.

5 Engross Yourself Fully in Proper Irish History

Diving into Ireland’s rich, sometimes turbulent history demonstrates a genuine interest that goes beyond surface‑level tourism. From the legendary rebellions against English rule to the cultural renaissance of the 20th century, Ireland’s past is a tapestry of bravery, artistry, and perseverance.

Ask an Irish friend about the Easter Rising, the story of the Irish language revival, or the legendary figures like Michael Collins. When you show that you’ve done your homework, you’ll earn admiration for your curiosity and respect for their heritage.

6 Join In With the Celebration That Is Music

Music pulses through Irish life like a heartbeat. Traditional sessions with fiddles, tin whistles, and bodhráns fill pubs and community halls, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and joy. Whether it’s a lively jig or a soulful ballad, the melodies speak the language of the Irish soul.

Show enthusiasm for a session, learn a simple reel, or simply clap along. The Irish love sharing their tunes with newcomers, and your willingness to join in will be met with smiles, clapping, and perhaps an invitation to a future gathering.

7 Visit and Explore Our Wee Isle

From the bustling streets of Dublin to the rugged cliffs of the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland offers a kaleidoscope of experiences. Hidden gems—like the rope bridge at Portstewart or the serene beauty of the Ring of Kerry—invite adventurous travelers to explore beyond the typical tourist trail.

Demonstrating an eagerness to discover the lesser‑known corners of the island shows respect for the land and its people. The Irish will appreciate your curiosity, and you’ll be rewarded with unforgettable scenery and heartfelt hospitality.

8 Sport Is a Massive Part of Ireland’s Culture

Whether it’s the fierce rivalry of hurling and Gaelic football or the global passion for soccer, sport is woven into Irish identity. Sundays often find families gathered around a television, cheering for their local team, while local pubs buzz with lively debate.

Engage in conversation about a recent match, learn the basics of hurling, or simply enjoy the communal spirit of a game day. Respecting this aspect of Irish life signals that you understand the importance of community and tradition.

9 Alcohol Is a Humongous Stereotype Associated With Irish People

The image of the Irish as perpetual drinkers—especially of Guinness—has both truth and exaggeration. While many Irish enjoy a good pint, a significant portion abstain for religious or personal reasons. The key is not to assume everyone drinks, but to let the conversation guide you.

When the topic of a pub or a brew comes up, let the Irish person lead. If they invite you for a drink, accept graciously; if not, respect their choice. This balanced approach demonstrates cultural sensitivity and helps you avoid reinforcing a one‑dimensional stereotype.

10 Finally, We Have the Irish People Themselves

Beyond stereotypes, the Irish are a warm, witty, and welcoming people. Their generosity, sharp humor, and resilient spirit make them a joy to know. The most important rule? Treat them as individuals, not as a collection of clichés.

When you love an Irish person for who they truly are—full of stories, music, history, and a love of good food—you’ll find that they, in turn, will cherish you. Authentic connection beats any checklist; these ten ways simply guide you toward that genuine bond.

Written by: Margo Green

10 reasons great to be a woman have echoed through the ages, even when the world seemed stacked against her. It wasn’t until the passage of the 19th amendment nearly a century ago that women could vote in America. Just two centuries ago, American women had few rights. If they earned money, their husbands got to spend it as they saw fit. Divorce was hard to obtain even for men who were abused. When women started protesting for the right to vote, they were met with violence as well as scorn. All of this would mean that we wouldn’t judge someone if they thought life in the ancient world was even worse for women. However, there have been times and situations in history when being a woman was advantageous. Below are ten upsides to being a woman throughout history.

10 Reasons Great: Women’s Historical Advantages

10 Spartan Women Got to Stay Home While the Men Were Away

Many of us know that Spartan women had more rights than women in other Greek city‑states. They also led lives that their husbands may have been jealous of. The advantages of being female in Sparta started during childhood. Spartan girls got to compete in athletic competitions — naked — with the boys. Spartan women were allowed to exchange words with men along with blows. Spartan women were not allowed to hold jobs, but they could earn money through the property they owned, which was sometimes given by the government. All of these liberties were given to Spartan women so they would birth fine babies that would grow up to be skillful soldiers. While Spartan women were allowed to live relatively freely at home, all Spartan men who were citizens were subject to compulsory military service. Their lives were dangerous and their wives sometimes profited financially from their death. Spartan men’s lives were not only dangerous, but tough and during their time of military service, it could be argued that they had less freedom than Spartan women.

9 Women Were Sometimes Put in Power Because of Their Gender

In ancient Egypt, women were sometimes installed into power precisely the same reason women leaders are criticized for today: their gender. This was because women were seen as the safer option during times of turmoil. While most pharaohs were men, women were sometimes allowed to rule as regents for their younger male relatives. They were expected to protect the future pharaoh and rule wisely until they were old enough to make their own decisions. The first Epytian queen who took up the throne while waiting for her son to grow up was Queen Merneith of the first dynasty (ca. 3000‑2890 B.C.) after the death of her husband. Similarly, Queen Hatshesput ruled as regent for her nephew. Queens didn’t always take control while their sons grew up, though. Queen Neferusobek assumed control after her husband’s death because her husband had no heir and Cleopatra VII had her brothers killed to cement her control of the throne.

8 Greek Women Were Feared to be Too Clever

Sexism is an interesting beast that morphs depending on the situation. It is important to note that the views of women depended on the individual, but Hesiod’s Theogony suggests that some Greek men feared women because of their cleverness. In the Theogony, it is women who instigate rebellion. It is Gaia who devises a plan to kill Ouranos, though her son Kronos does the actual killing. Rhea deceives her husband Kronos into swallowing a swaddled stone instead of Zeus, so that he is able to grow up and topple his father. Perhaps what most clearly expresses Hesiod’s sexism is his opinion of Pandora whom he writes that “Wonder held immortal gods and mortal men, / when they saw a sheer cunning, unmanageable for men./ For from her is the descent of female women / [for the race and tribes of women are destructive,] / a great pain for mortals, living with men, / companions not of destructive Poverty but of Plenty.” (Hesiod lines 588‑593). This passage articulates Hesiod’s conception of women: women are to be kept in their place because they are dangerous. In Hesiod’s Theogony, women shouldn’t be denied rights because they are unintelligent, but because they are too clever. Pandora is the perfect punishment for humanity because she is a woman, who are described as “sheer cunning.” Though women in ancient Greece suffered from the effects of sexism like women in other cultures, at least it sometimes was because they were seen as too capable instead of not capable enough.

7 Greek Male Lovers Were Killed Instead of Adulteresses

Adulteresses in ancient Greece didn’t get off lightly unless their husband decided to keep their wife’s infidelity secret. They were divorced — a huge blow in a society where women were forced to depend on men, denied the right to attend religious functions, and were seen as so low that strangers were now encouraged to beat them. However, when compared to the punishment of their lovers, adulteresses could be seen as lucky. If a man in Athens found his wife coupling with a man, he could kill the man without being found guilty of murder. This law reflects the fact that such killings were seen as justified. Killing a man for raping a female relative was also justified. In Greek mythology, the god of war, Ares, killed Poseidon’s son, Halirrhothios, for raping his daughter. Poseidon complained and the gods put Ares on trial, ultimately finding him not guilty. In some versions of the myth, Ares kills Halirrhothios while he is attacking his daughter, while in other versions he does it afterwards in revenge. Either way, it reflects an idea that men should protect their daughters from rape and that violence is an acceptable way to do so.

6 Matriarchies

While most traditional and modern societies are either patriarchal or egalitarian, some ancient societies were matriarchies. Some of these matriarchal societies still exist today. On the island of Kihnu, women are in charge because of a centuries‑long tradition of men travelling from the island to find food or employment. Due to the fact that men were often not home, women were left in charge. Today, the island relies on government assistance and tourism to keep their traditional way of life intact. In China, the Mosuo society is matrilineal because the father is often unknown. Tourists come to see the Mosuo because their traditional way of life, stretching back thousands of years, is matriarchal with females heading the households.

5 Pleading the Belly

Pregnancy truly is miraculous, but in some situations, it was even more welcomed than others. If an English woman found herself facing the death penalty, she could claim to be pregnant to push back the date of her execution — provided she was tried between 1387 and 1931. Whether a woman was actually pregnant or not was less important than whether she claimed to be. Recognizing that most mothers knew more about pregnancy than most men, female criminals who claimed to be pregnant were required to appear before a court of matrons who would evaluate their claim. Whether the court of matrons decided that the woman was pregnant was a deciding factor in if the accused’s life was spared. However, women who claimed to be pregnant also had to be examined by the judge.

4 They Could Be the Wives of Gods

One way women have been able to use to gain power for thousands of years is through marriage. Some women were more creative than others and rather than marrying a wealthy man, Enheduanna simply married a god. Enheduanna was the daughter of Sargon the Great, a famous poet, and the high priestess. Enheduanna’s claim of being beloved by the gods was in her name itself, which translates as “En‑Priestess, wife of the god Nanna.” Enheduanna presided over Ur as the high priestess for four decades, though she was temporarily exiled. Men also claimed to have divine consorts. As the goddess of both war and love, Inanna was one of the most powerful deities in the Mesopotamian pantheon and kings often claimed to be her husband. Kings even legitimized their divine claim to the throne through a ceremony known as a sacred marriage where the wedding of Inanna and Dumuzi was reenacted by the high priestess of Inanna and the king. Thus, women in ancient Mesopotamia could bolster their claim to power by claiming to be the consort of a male deity, while Mesopotamian kings legitimized their claims to the throne by claiming to be the lover of a female deity.

3 Women May Have Painted a Lot of Cave Art

Women have left their mark on history in many ways, but some ways were more prominent and direct than others. One of the most direct ways women influenced history was through art. By examining the hand and finger ratios (which differ depending on gender) of Paleolithic cave art, scientists concluded that women may have painted up to 75% of cave art. Another scientist claimed that the art was actually painted by adolescent boys who liked to depict animals and nude women. However, it is interesting to think about women shaping the world — sometimes quite literally by painting their own hands onto cave walls.

2 Strong Women

Women in the ancient world didn’t just sweep their houses, mind their children, and style their hair. Instead, they sometimes worked like men. Between 7,500 and 2,000 years ago, women in Europe have worked outside the home as well as inside of it. Sometimes, their work was physically demanding. Archaeologists at Cambridge University examined the bones of European women to determine what tasks they performed. Most of the women’s bones indicated that they had arms that would make elite rowers today envious. These findings suggest that women in early Europe farmed alongside men. However, the manual labor of women in early Europe may have been overlooked because of sexism of modern day scientists. Men tend to build muscle more easily than women and by overlooking this fact, scientists may have underestimated the amount of physical labor women in ancient societies performed.

1 Scythian Women Fought Like Men

While some cultures throughout history were matriarchal, others were egalitarian. The Scythians, who may have inspired the Greek myths of the Amazons, were one such egalitarian society. Scythian society revolved around horses, which may explain why both Scythian men and women were allowed to chase down game and charge into battle. Scythian warriors were formidable because they used small bows and rode horseback, allowing them to cut down enemies from a distance. Scythians not only enjoyed the breeze against their faces as they rode, but they also liked to smoke hemp and drink a beverage called kumis made of fermented horse milk. Scythian women may have fostered their sons into other tribes to build alliances, which may be why Greek writers accused Amazons of being boy‑killers and bad mothers. The prowess of Scythian women is so great that myths inspired by them are still believed and debated today. Perhaps their greatest legacy is that the fear and admiration they drew from contemporaries still persists long after the last Scythian warrior died.