Sir, - If I hear another complaint about racism, I will scream! Any time I visit Dublin, I am guaranteed to be referred to as a "culchie" at least once and am likely to be told to "return to the bogs where I belong". Is this racism? Of course not. It's part of the Irish tradition of slagging. The appropriate response is to remind the Dubliner of his county's poor performance on the playing pitch and to suggest that his desire to see the back of us culchies is because Dublin women are likely to be swayed by our superior physiques.
As for assaults, I'm sure drug addicts will rob anyone with money and yobs will pick on culchies and gays as readily as immigrants. I think we would fare better if this slagging culture was explained to our visitors. I'm sure a Nigerian visitor would be welcomed more readily into the fold if he responded to abuse by asking his interlocutor how many times Ireland have won the World Cup. Oh, and don't forget to mention that it isn't safe to walk the streets at night - no matter where you come from. - Yours, etc.,
Jack Downey, Old Cratloe Road, Co Limerick