Just watched Gypsy Blood

[jade80]

Actually still watching, but anyway, read a thread the other day about how dreadful it was and how it painted the gypsys in a bad light.

AIBU to think that (although I think they are better described as travellers, not Gypsys), that it really wasn't that bad? A lot of the standards they live by, some of the things they taught their children, and their obvious affection for their animals (e.g. the man who's dog had been killed) were actually quite lovely? The dads spending time passing on their knowledge to their sons, like the one telling him the recipe they would use for what they had just caught.

OK, so in many ways their values might clash with mine, but i don't think it was all that dreadful!

For me the worst bit (and I have only watched the frst 15 mins) was the man calling his son a cunt for washing his shoes with the hose! I hate that word!

To be fair you could find something 'lovely' about anyone.

A mass murderer for example might sleep with his cat on his bed every night...but it doesn't wipe out the fact he's a mass murderer.

Ok, I could probably have found a better comparison but hopefully you know what I'm saying.

Sorry, meant to add...the Dad passing on the recipe doesn't cancel the out the fact he may well be one of the same Dads who teaches his sons to 'settle scores' with violence.

Cunt is just word though isn't it? Different values and all that.

True worra, but equally you can find bad things about every society. I just didn't find it all that dreadful.

Also re. 'settling scores' there seemed to be a strong emphasis on discipline and 'a fair fight' and teaching the kids respect.

Also the cunt thing- I think it was the tone of voice it was said in that meant I didn't find it that terrible. It wasn't agressive and threatening- I can imagine much less offensive words being more offensive than that, when spoken with more malice.

What, passing their knowledge on how to beat each other to pulp, and to use their fists.

Sorry, how do you teach a child to settle scores by punching the shit out of each other and teach respect?

Respect is something to be earned, not driven into people through fear.

Oh I agree that it wasn't said nastily, I just hate that word, with a passion! I'm going to finish watching the programme tonight, so may have changed my opinion later

I wonder if the Dads passed on the knowledge of how to chop an AXE into someones head

Yes, respect is something that is earned. And fighting is not the only way that it is earned in the traveller community. Just as it is not the only way it is earned in mainstream society. But it is one way. You only have to look at boxing to see that.

It made me feel utterly sick from start to finish, and very sad too. I fet I needed to watch it though because I thnk everyone needs to be aware that this goes on. It's no way to just sweep it under the carpet. I was left thinking what would be worse - to be born a gypsy girl or a gypsy boy?

The bit where the two little boys were made to fight while those adults watched on was shocking.

It might be their culture but it's a culture which is lacking in so many ways, socially and morally.

Why do people get up in arms about other cultures where they practice female genital mutilation yet not get up in arms about the gypsy culture which seems to abuse children by subjecting them to all sorts of violence?

And how was that bloke driving around on the public highway when he claimed to be illiterate? Don't you have to take a theory test these days in order to get a driving licence, which requires the ability to be able to read?

Hunting with dogs and cock fighting - all illegal too.

Talk about them being a law unto themselves

I'm sorry but respect isn't earned through fighting

If someone is too scared of having the shit beaten out of them to admit they don't really respect someone, they're not going to come out and say it are they?

You can't compare that to boxing as that is a sport...not mindless bare knuckle violence.

Boxing.
Two little boys fighting while adults cheer them on.

I find it all repulsive. And I don't care whether it is classified as sport or culture. However I am aware that not all people think the way I do. Nor do I expect them to. And I have to accept that for the moment the government do not have to do what I say.

Dubsgirl, what have you seen?
What do you mean by overheard?

my son was attacked by a group of the kids and a young girl attack and they tried to strip her and grab her they camp out where i live and seen tehm coming back from the local asda with stolen goods and them laughing about it,bringing diggers in to break through fencing to get on land,leaving shit and animal crap around,wreaking the local play areas,parents threatened when they ask the traveller parents to keep the swearing down,the mess left behind when they leave

Dubsgirl, everything that you have described is not traveller culture and is illegal. What did the police do?

nothing,they couldnt find the child that hurt him,they put a no go on the kids park,they have never had such high calls before,there was alot of stuff going on but as the police said tracking them down is hard,as they just up and leave and use false plates and as for the damage of getting onto land nothing they can do unless they have cctv to them doing it,the council have to send in a special clean up team to clean the mess up after(i know this as dh works for the council)

Unfortunately what you have experienced Dubsgirl, is the same as what goes on in many areas of the UK. I have lived in some of them.

The behavior you described is not exclusive to the traveller community.

i know that and as i said before i know they not all like this just seems the ones we get round here are trouble :(