I'm just an average gypsy AMA

[GypsyAMA]

I've noticed a lot of hatred towards gypsies on here so I thought I'd answer any questions anyone may have that could help you to understand my culture more. You might still disagree with many aspects, but at least you'll be coming from facts and not stereotypes.

Indeed, you can’t be much else than committed to being a housewife if you have no GCSEs or access to formal education!

Nonsense.

@Lassiata So a parent who left school at 12 with no qualifications will be able to educate their DC to A-level standard. And DC won’t be able to join home educating groups as not allowed to mix in that way

I missed the comment you quoted but it is indeed nonsense.

As I said, I was very successful before I was married and came to somewhat of a fork in the road of life. I chose the life I currently live, I didn't have to, and I wouldn't change it for the world. It's enjoyable, social, fulfilling in every way.

When gypsies turn up at the local park where I walk the dog, DH refuses to let me walk there for fear of my dog being stolen. Is he being OTT?

What work did you do @GypsyAMA

Interesting that you are mentioning often that the travellers are the ones doing bad things. The travellers are the lowst, the ones who can’t be gypsies or romans. Groups that has been questioned and harassed make their own rules to keep the group together. So if you don’t follow the made up rules you are dead to them. Which most people would not want to be so they follow the rules because where in society would they go. Especially without education. This goes for Jehova’s and ISIS too btw.

If you are a roma then you are the highest rank and I’m guessing very proud of it.

Interesting thread.

OP you said you’re « settled ». Do you live in an area with lots of other Roma? How do you get on with your non-Roma neighbours?

If you got married at 21, realistically how successful could you have been at that point? Do you.miss whatever it was ?

But how would you feel if your DC chose a different path? What if they wanted to go to university and become teachers, or lawyers, or doctors?

I don't understand how you'd facilitate that given you refuse to send them to secondary school and don't have the education yourself to get them through their A-levels.

Why do you think that is?

Someone on here early on suggested being a gypsy was a bit like a religion or a cult - I had never thought of it like that.
But restricting education and empowerment of women, rejecting homosexuals, not integrating with other communities, having a dress-code... all rather cult like.
WDYT?

Hi OP.

I hope you won't be offended by my question, as I know and accept that these things are part of your culture. I respect your ethnicity and culture, but I want to understand better.

So, I am really curious about whether you feel happy living in a culture where as you say, gay people don't feel comfortable to come out, and also the sexism, where your life is limited because you are a woman and expected to stay at home and clean etc?

Do you ever wish that you lived in a culture that was more accepting and understanding of difference? And where people can be who they want to be and that be accepted?

I know you have said that some people do get educated and have careers etc, but you said you don't want that for your children, you'd rather they remained in your traditions.

I'm just thinking what if they wanted to be a doctor or a teacher or an artist or anything else? And what if they were a woman and didn't want to get married? What if one of them was gay?

I'm just wondering if you are genuinely happy with all these limitations that your culture places on your own and your children's lives?

My "single" experience is repeated up and down the country thousands of times as you very well know.

It's something that is habitual and associated with gypsies.

It's nothing like asking a random Muslim about 9/11. How ridiculous.

In addition, the word gypsy is commonly associated with people who have a nomadic way of life. Do you seriously think that general negative feeling associated with gypsies is due to ethnicity, rather than the carnage caused by experiences like I detailed? My negative feelings have nothing to do with ethnicity and everything to do with carnage.

And it is very important not to create more resistance groups. This is one of them. Not educating your children should never be encouraged. For example.

I know you are settled but of gypsies who live in caravans, do they tend to travel or not? How would they get a permanent address for working?

You asked one person from a community to justify why they think the actions of other members of that community - which they had nothing to do with - were OK.

What self employed work does your DH do?

What work did you do before children?

What clothes would gypsy men wear to identify them?

Thanks for the AMA btw, I appreciate your replies and insight.

But, I like the a bit overdressed bit. I think my own culture do dress a bit boring tbf.

Why do I see men racing horse and buggy's along main roads? It happens a lot near me.

Yes, OP is a gypsy, answering an AMA about gypsies.

I asked about something that has been done by gypsies thousands of times and is strongly associated with gypsies.

And I believe it was a reasonable question.

Yes, but you seem to feel that your community is superior to the Irish Travelling Community. Are there not bad and good in equal measures in their community as well as you own ?

I am really interested in hearing about your culture and lifestyle and appreciate that you find your life rich and fulfilling. I can respect the choices you have made. However, I have some big issues:-

(1)You cite ridiculous prejudice against gypsies yet gypsies won't send DC to secondary school as they seem to assume that non-gypsy DC turn into sex-crazed, alcohol and drug-obsessed cretins at twelve! If that's really true, then that's both ridiculously inaccurate and prejudiced.

(2) You deny your DC the right level of education to enable them to make their own life choices later on. That is so unfair, particularly when you say that the gypsy lifestyle is changing a lot. How can you be confident that you are adequately preparing them for their lives ahead without even a basic formal education?

(3) Your anti-vaccination position. I don't know if it is your own position or a collective view but IMO it is total madness. I have seen a child die of measles and it could have been avoided with a simple vaccination. I can see no justification dressed up as anything cultural or otherwise for that.

This is fascinating OP, and you are very brave for posting it as clearly some people are absolutely frothing at the mouth to get their stereotypical views in under the guise of curiosity.

Hi OP, sorry if this has been asked!

I understand from your thread that women look after the home/children - how would you feel if your kids did not want their own children (both sons or daughters)? As more women are becoming child free by choice, I didn’t know if this was also happening in your community? Thanks!

Oh yeah - the anti vax stance is a bit culty too...