I hate St. Patrick's Day

Why does everybody have to wear green and make little cutesy leprechaun remarks and take the day off so they can get wasted?

I can't speak for the real Irish, of course. But I can speak for my own family, which is made of up Irish americans, myself being the second generation. It's not the way it's supposed to be, that's all.

I dated a Phillipino guy for a few years. We were going to dinner one night, and he wanted to try a new place in a suburb. When we got there, whe noticed a little sign sitting on the sidewalk in front of the new restaurant which depicted an asian guy with buck teeth and slanted eyes. He was offended, so we ate somewhere else. I understand.

But why in the hell is it alright to use the leprechaun or troll-like character as an American's idea of what an Irish person is?

Are all Irish people drunks? Do they all drink green beer? Come on now. But of course, just like the slanted eyed guy, the Pot O' Gold seeking leprechaun will always be around as a marketing gimmick, I guess.