A Traditional Three Leaf Clover

St. Patrick’s Day is tomorrow.  It could also be appropriately called “Let’s Wear Green and Get Drunk Day,” since that’s what most folks do.  And if you happen to be one of the poor souls not wearing green because you missed the memo about it being St. Patrick’s Day, then you best steer clear of any and all bars.  Unless you enjoy being pinched by random drunken obnoxious strangers.

But why, oh why, do they do this?  What in the Irish tradition is this pesky pinch tied to?

Actually….its not tied to anything!  Its one of those things “modern traditions” pinned upon the holiday upon being hijacked from its origins.   Because in Ireland, the “wearing of the green” and the pesky pinching is not actually a tradition.  They do sport pinned shamrocks on the St. Patrick’s Day, but the color green is a coincidence.  The shamrocks are actually representative of St. Patrick having used them to educate people on the Holy Trinity.  Yes.  I did just make a religious reference.  Because SAINT Patrick’s Day is of a religious origin.  In fact…back in the day they actually used to mandate that pubs in Ireland be closed!  Can you imagine?!  No pub crawls on St. Patrick’s Day.  The horror!

So, while you and I may now know that wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day really has nothing to do with the dang holiday, I am sure the random drunken obnoxious stranger in the bar does not know that.  And trying to explain to said Obnoxious Stranger why he (or she) should not be pinching you is simply a waste of your time.  So don’t chance it.  If you intend to hit up a bar tomorrow, sport some green and avoid that pesky pinch!

And for those of you who are pesky pinchers…give it a rest.  Just enjoy your green beer and have a good time!

And me?  I’ll be drinking a black velvet (Guinness and Cider) and sporting a green scarf somewhere (better to be safe than sorry)!