Every relationship has its milestones. The first date, the first kiss, the first time you do something horribly embarrasing during sex time... you get the idea.

However, when you’re Irish, there ae a few relationship milestones that are unique to our little country. While the rest of the world enjoys ‘dates’ we sit through ‘an-awkward-drinks-in-his-local-while-his-friends-stare-at-us from-the-next-table.’

Oh and while the rest of the world exchanges the romantic words ‘I love you’ for the first time, we usually get a mumbled ‘you know I love meeting ya like!’

In the spirit of humour, we thought it’d be fun (and hilarious) to list the seven biggest Irish relationship milestones. How many of these beauties have you and your man already passed?

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Milestone 1: Getting the shift
All Irish relationships begin with the sacred act of getting the shift. This usually takes place in a pub or a nightclub. One minute you’re having a friendly chat and the next thing you know, he’s lunged at you (without warning) and sealed the deal. And who said young love wasn’t romantic?

Milestone 2: When he texts you first
The Irish male is a strange species when it comes to communication. He might send you a text at 3am when he’s on his way home after a night out, but in most cases he will expect you to break the ice for every communication you share. You know he’s really interested when he tests the waters by sending you a simple ‘Hiya, what’s the craic?’ text.

Milestone 3: Going for an awkward drink together
He’ll probably never ask you out on a date per se but he will ask you if you fancy going for a drink sometime. If you agree, he’s likely to pick his local pub or the dingiest old-man-pub he can find. You’ll have a drink or two, you’ll have some craic but he’ll still have an air of awkward emmanating from him.

Once your “date” finishes, the two of you will most likely meet up with your friends in the local nightclub and be too mortified to speak to each other.

Milestone 4: When he refers to you as “herself”
You’ll know that you’ve suddenly become an official couple when he calls you “herself.” Rather than risking the insane slagging he’ll get off his friends if he utters the word ‘girlfriend’ he’ll simply say “I have to check with herself.” This means that you’re well in there.

Milestone 5: Meeting his mammy
After courting you for a few months, the next big milestone in your relationship is when you meet his mammy for the first time. The Irish male is likely to spring this meeting on you without any forewarning whatsoever. He’ll take you into the house, introduce you to his mammy and then tell her (without taking a breath) where you’re from and all the people you know that she knows too.

Milestone 6: Convincing him to leave his mammy
Rather than just being a milestone in your relationship, convincing an Irish man to leave his mammy and move out is a testament to how awesome you actually are. We all know the bond that Irish fellas share with their mothers. It’s an unshakeable thing that will colour his life right up until the day he dies. So the fact that he’s agreed to willingly leave the family gaff and set up home with you just goes to show how crazy he is about you.

Milestone 7: “So, do you fancy being buried with my folk?”
There are a lot of elaborate marriage proposals doing the rounds on the internet at the minute. But the thing with Irish fellas is that you won’t actually know what they’re asking you. They’re cryptic creatures. He’s like to make a random statement such as: “Will you get buried with me and my folk?” or “Should I buy a house or a car first?” and then produce a ring. D’aww!