Tickets Issued, Guinness 101 Lessons Given

We're less than three weeks away from departure now. On March 23 our happy group of 47 will make its way to JFK and take off for Shannon airport on western side of the lovely green isle.

This blog is being written by the Oyster Boys' webmaster. From time to time along the way, many members of our tour group will post their impressions and stories about this trip as well. We'll document the tours, the scenery, the music, the pubs and the food as best we can... taking you along with us, if you will.

Tonight our tour leaders distributed info on the trip, gave us our tickets, tote bags and bright luggage straps and gave us a lesson on how to order a Guiness without looking like a stupid tourist. Who knew pint ordering would require lessons?

How to order a Guiness in Ireland:

1. Choose your pub carefully. A pint of Guinness does not appreciate loud music, loud people or bright flashing lights.

2. Ask politely for a pint of Guinness. Depending on the pub, it is possible to catch the barman's eye and mouth the word "pint." He will translate this accurately.

3. The barman will fill the glass between 70% and 80% capacity. It will then be put to the side for a few moments to allow it "to settle." Once the brownish liquid has almost turned to a solid black the barman will then fill the rest of the glass. NB: do not under any circumstances take the glass before it is filled. Some virgins seem to think that the settling stage is the final stage and walk away with an unfinished pint. We assure you it causes endless mirth as well.

4. Once you have receive you pint, final comfortable stool or seat, gaze with awe into the deep blackness, raise the pint to your mouth and take a large mouthful. Be firm.

5. A good pint can be distinguished by a number of methods. A smooth, slightly off-white head it one. Another is the residue left on the inside of the gall. These -- surprise-surprise -- are known as rings. As long as they are there you know you’re okay. A since of rings is developing. The instance that comes to mind is determining a person’ nationality by the number of rings (a ring is dependent on a swig of Guinness each swig leaving its own ring).

• An Irishman will have in the region of 5-6 rings (they pace themselves)
• An Englishman will have 8-10 rings
• An American will have 17-20 (we sip), and
• An Australian won’t have any at all as they tend to knock it back in one go!

6. As you near the end of your pint, it is the custom to order another one. It is a well known fact that a bird does not fly on one wing.

This is going to be a fun trip.