I remember it from grade school.
Last year, someone stuck his head in my office door and pointed out, enthusiastically, that I wasn't wearing green. I offered the fact that my ancestry was French. He didn't take that as an excuse, but when I just stared at him and didn't respond any further, he gave up and walked off.
I don't think I ever was in an environment that did the pinching thing. I may compliment someone on their green, but never for the lack thereof! Except my kids, they will comply with the wishes of their Irish mom, or else.
The pinching thing is news to me. No Irish ancestry here (although I come close -- one set of great-great-grandparents immigrated from Anglesey), and I've been criticized both for wearing green and for not wearing green on St. Patrick's Day.
I was one of the few people wearing green here at work. The subject never came up.
I credit my Irish ancestors for green eyes and the comparatively high alcohol tolerance I used to have; the former means I'm always dressed for St. Patrick's Day.
Timelies all!
Didn't wear green on St. Patrick's Day because a) not Irish(wrong end of Europe) and b) wasn't going to any celebrations.(Used to sometimes go see a musician friend play, but not in the last couple years )
I dressed Peanut in green on St. Patrick's Day because if someone pinches my daughter, they're going to get punched. I remember getting pinched in school - never liked it.
Mine just got cancelled for the second week in a row. Apparently the two people at the client company we're supposed to have status meetings with are never near a phone or computer at the same time.