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.

Hi, I’m also a gypsy and I just wanted to address a couple things here. People keep going on about education- I went to school until I was 16 and did my GCSEs but some family quit at secondary. They are educated though but in trades their parents taught them which is more useful in my opinion. I really don’t see anything wrong with that. You know they’re making money for their families.
It upsets me when people base one or 10 experiences of people and tars the lot of us. Can you imagine if I said out loud my neighbour is (insert ethnicity) and their house is so dirty, so now I hate ( ethnicity) like I’d be slated and called a racist but people do it all the time. People I know used to do it to my face! People use it as an insult ‘dirty pikey’ can you imagine if I called someone a racial slur how much hatred I’d rightfully get? It baffles me how this is acceptable.

I have only read the first and last pages of the thread, and I remain to be convinced that gypsies/Romanu/travellers are anything other than bad news if they decide that where you live is where they fancy settling. Crime soars, there's no attempt to integrate and the community places no value on education or integration. It's a firm thumb down from me.

Thank you so much for this thread!

I had a couple of questions - you indicated that girls know a lot about sex before marriage but not quite everything. I assume they know the basic mechanics?

Also, I understand large parts of the community are settled, but do you travel for some of the year and then come back?

I am sure some are charming, and well self-educated, but local experience suggests otherwise.

Thank you! That's why I named it just an average gypsy. I'm not claiming to speak for everyone, and I can't justify the worst of mine any better than they can justify the worst of theirs!

I love to try all different holidays. I absolutely love sight seeing and learning about the history of somewhere, but I also love a nice relaxing all inclusive. I would say my favourite holiday is a city break because there's always so much to see/do/eat.

We love a drink!

I think her only words were that it is nonsense. And a laughing emoji. As if it’s very funny.

This would be my question too. 100% reflective of my experience too. I love on the same village as a well-established gypsy community.

Congrats on finishing school, how did you find it? Did you fit in well or did you feel like a bit of an outcast because you couldn't go to the parties/sleepovers etc with the others?

Do you collect anything? I know a lovely Gypsy family and they love their porcelain and ornaments - it would drive me nuts having to dust it all the time!! They are all so nice and hardworking btw, this thread is fascinating so thank you op 🤗

i have a question about education?

why do you pull kids out at high school or just before?

would you not think it better to move with the times, allow your children to gain an education then decide for themselves what they want to do?

Im not a traveller or gypsy and my child will go to school until legally able not too, then they will be encouraged to go to college/uni/job whatever they choose but by then they will be educated, skilled and ready to take on the world.

i find pulling children out young, only letting them get married/have kids and end of story.
no doctors/nurses/teachers/choices

without education, and options i find that very sad

Honestly I don't know because there are plenty of good things they could write about. Every Christmas there are huge drives to provide toys for children in need of them. They fill their vans using their own money and donations.

It's hard not to feel marginalised. You only have to go on a community Facebook page and you'll see regular "beware there are gypsies about, lock up your valuables" posts. It's reminiscent of the days of "no blacks no Irish" signs.

Why do some gorjas not pay tax? Why do some people never work? Why do some people think it’s acceptable to be on benefits all their life?
why should I be judged and wrongfully assumed of not paying tax because you assume the people living near you do what they do?
how would it make you feel if I knew a family not paying tax and said your ethnicity as a group don’t?

I hope this isn’t offensive, I know you use the language you mentioned, but do you have a specific accent within the community?

Sadly OPs unwillingness to talk about jobs/work is not likely to dispel any stereotypes. Its going to have a lot of people assuming that gypsy men are predominantly working cash in hand dealing scrap metal, or going laying patios etc.

Studies have shown a strong causation between lower education levels and reduced levels of good health. Gypsies are much more likely to have bad health and experience disabilities. Would this not change your view on education?

This is my ignorance on home ed and the like, would those who work in the trade pursue nvqs in them? Would you not need GCSEs for that?

would the kids still receive some form of education at home or is it just a tick box and fudged?

OP mentioned that children in your community have different expectations, what does this mean in real terms?

(Not meant to be offensive so if it is my apologies)

@GypsyAMA what would happen if your children were gay?

Is your view the common view?

I have covered it already.

I'm amazed so many people seem to think we are going about knocking on doors and working for cash in hand these days. Do you actually think anyone could work like that these days? You might get the very rare odd person willing to have work done on that basis, but the majority of society research their tradesmen online and do payments online with invoices etc. I'm pretty sure the tax man would be on to them very quickly if they weren't legit.

Well other than cowboy traders which can be found on all walks of like sadly.

Most men work in a trade.
My DH uses an accountant and pays tax.

How does the Gypsy community feel about planning system, particularly greenbelt land?

One of the biggest contentious issues in my area is around building on land without planning - often green belt or agricultural land.

I have read that a high proportion of planning requests from the Gypsy community are rejected but wondered how planning authorities identify the request is from a Gypsy to discriminate

I went to a top university and earn £90,000 a year age 30 (I'm a woman) my DH earns around £110,000 same age. You get a much better life if you get good grades and go to a top university.

A question from me: do you regret not having worked since having kids and not being able to support your family? I realise this is similar to ordinary SAHMs but if you are taking your daughters out of education at 12 you're massively capping their earning potential and I don't understand that. You could have a daughter who was a genius and her talent would be wasted...

As an Irish person I can tell a traveller from a gypsy. Also there is an accent to an Irish traveller that is obvious.

OP,

I'm curious of what you think about the fact that gypsies, Roma and travellers are far more likely to die young than any other group in the U.K. On average the die 10-12 years younger.

Why do you think this is?

What a brave post AMA, thank you

Our experience, as middlw class commuter belt families has been a total dichotomy. I used to employ quite a few roma and they were brilliant, honest, hard working and we had never had any issues- also respectful if you respected them. We also have three Roma families near us who couldn't be less trouble, they live in caravans on the verge of a quiet country lane, fix my garden tools usually in return for a hind of venison from the local shoot (and we'll drop.pff.some.coal.in the middle of winter). Growing up we had a pair of Roma cleaners, again who were lovely and hardworking, I used to play with their kids, and had a lot of fun.

in contrast I can't find a single good thing to say about Irish travellers. Every single interaction I've had with them has been with utter scum, who I wouldn't want living anywhere near me.

Real Roma gypsies are given a very very bad name by Irish travellers.

Ama you live your life, I'd be pleased to have you as a neighbour!

Also I think your answer to this will be that you will home school them. But not having had an education past 12 yourself you won't be giving them the opportunity to learn to the same potential as a qualified teacher in my opinion. They're likely to not reach their academic potential.

Also not meaning to be rude, I'm genuinely interested in why make that choice, this thread has been v insightful.

I'm wondering about a branch of my family that has some unusual names like Cinderella and also a lot of biblical names like Job.