Ever encounter gypsies?

by Gregor 53 Replies latest jw experiences

• 

  Leolaia

  I would say that what is described in this thread is a symptom of mutual cultural conflict between a minority dispossessed people and the dominant culture, a process of conflict that has been going on for hundreds of years. Some of this conflict is briefly described here:

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roma_society_and_culture

  Jews in medieval Europe, native Americans in 19th-century United States, aborigines in modern-day Australia -- these are other dispossessed groups that have similarly been criticized for their "thieving" ways. Of course, incidents occur as a symptom of this conflict that support the stereotype -- especially for those in the dominant culture victimized by these clashes. But why do they occur? And how much do those in the dominant culture realize the injury done to Roma on account of hundreds of years of exclusion, persecution, and dispossession.
• 

  lonelysheep

  I used to work in a banquet hall, and they would come in and try to schedule functions. The manager used to tell them there was no availability for any date they wanted. She told me they steal, they take the silverware out, glasses, anything and everything they can.
• 

  sacrebleu

  The right name for the people is "Rom"

  The name for ANYONE who tries to "gyp" could be gypsy.

  Just as there are two (or more) names for most other ethnic groups, the one being derogatory, the other being correct. I will refrain from using examples because I don't want to offend. Hopefully the brighter ones in the bunch will understand what I mean.

  Just like any other group, some Rom are honest, some are not.

  Be fair. Maybe YOU don't know an honest hard working Rom, that doesn't mean they don't exist.

  Yes, I am an X-JW, I am a Christian against abortion and NOW I will also be hated on here because I am half Rom. Wild. Go figure. I thought this group was more loving and intelligent than when we were judgemental, better than thou JWs.

  sacrebleu
• 

  mentalclearness

  Yes..They travel quite frequently through South America. Mostly want to read your palms or tarot cards. I avoid them because it's known that while they do these things they steal your jewelry, money etc.....I know in spain they tried to give housing for nomadic gypsies as a government program. They ended up selling all the things inside the housing project (toilets, sinks, tubing, etc etc.) and living in tents still.....So I guess it's hard to try to change an entire culture.

  On the other hand Gregor, I used to also work in retail and had many people shoplifting. Some were young blacks, some were hispanics, and there were your rich white girls as well....So kind of hard to generalize here..But let's just say that whenever the above list came into my department I was to phone security immediately so they would follow them...
• 

  frankiespeakin

  I really liked the Laurel&Hardy movie "Bohemian Girl":

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bohemian_Girl_%281936_film%29

  Plot

  Laurel and Hardy are a hen-pecked pair of Gypsies in 18th CenturyAustria. When Oliver is out pickpocketing, fortune-telling or attending his zither lessons, his wife (Mae Busch), has an affair with Devilshoof (Antonio Moreno). A cruel nobleman, Count Arnheim, persecutes the Gypsies, who are forced to flee, but Mrs. Hardy kidnaps his daughter, Arline (Darla Hood), leaves Hardy holding the baby, and elopes with Devilshoof.

  12 years later, the Gypsies return to Arnheim's estate. When grown up Arline (Julie Bishop) trespasses in Arnheim's garden, she recognises the place, but is arrested by a constable (Jimmy Finlayson) and sentenced to the torture chamber. Stan and Oliver try to save her, but Stan is too drunk and both are arrested. Arline is rescued in time by Arnheim, who recognises a medallion she wears, and both try to rescue Stan and Oliver. It is too late though: Laurel and Hardy end up in the torture chamber, resulting in one of the team's best sight gags.

  Bohemian Girl video clips(couldn't find the really good ones I liked):

  http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3766650329694110298

  http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6745193164611057622&q=Bohemian+Girl&total=396&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
• 

  cluless

  People are individuals .

  People are individual.

  No dedomination exists. Only self portraits.
• 

  bronzefist

  My Hungarian grandmother hated them with a passion. They would steal her chickens and the clothes she had hanging out to dry back "in the old country".

  brzfst
• 

  Snoozy

  My Momma always warned me to stay away from the gypsies and the Jews because they still kids!

  If I saw them coming I would cross the street and walk on the other side...

  Snoozy..
• 

  DaCheech

  My Momma always warned me to stay away from the gypsies and the Jews because they still kids!

  funnnny!

  My mom used to tell me that hitler caught all the jews by performing a blood test! only the jews had somethingy in their blood!

  Now I just laugh at these myths.

  Anyway all cultures have good and bad, but when a certain culture has bad traditions........... then the next generation learns those traditions.

  like I said...... "it's never 100%, nor 90%.... but there are some truths to these stories
• 

  frankiespeakin

  Leo,

  Jews in medieval Europe, native Americans in 19th-century United States, aborigines in modern-day Australia -- these are other dispossessed groups that have similarly been criticized for their "thieving" ways. Of course, incidents occur as a symptom of this conflict that support the stereotype -- especially for those in the dominant culture victimized by these clashes. But why do they occur? And how much do those in the dominant culture realize the injury done to Roma on account of hundreds of years of exclusion, persecution, and dispossession.

  I concur with this 100%. Some wise words. Although I'm sure I fall short in full realization, effecting my very being to the core in some ways, I just hope more come to am enlightened realization of this.