This is what I have been trying to say Glenshena - all Gypsies are not the same - Travellers are Scottish. English, Irish and European are called gypsies, then there are Roma - who come, I think originally from the Balkans.glenshena wrote:Italy is rife with these ' Travellers' or ROM as they are known here being so near to Romania and Yugoslavia. Since they opened the borders Its a continuous flow. Unfortunately the children, especially girls, are taught how to break in and steal from peoples houses. Even if they are arrested they are let go because they are all under age. They have set up camps everywhere, and don't pay any kind of rent to the council. Salvini won the referendum because his intention is to make them pay rent and get these children into school.
Most of the Travellers I know are hard working, pay their way and live their life looking after their kids. The Great Big Gypsy whatevers are really far removed from the families I know. On the other hand, there are rascals - as there are anywhere. All our travelling kids go to school.
The place clean as could be. This was late 50's / early 60's. I know that some are trashy now, going my wee sis Mairi, up to Irvine on a bus, she nudges me and points to corner of a small field, trash strewn, 'Travellers'. Made me sad but who can prove is them thhey camped there, fair enough, I remember later the girls would go door to door selling stuff...a bag of clothes pins, or a wee plastic plant in a wee plastic pot, etc we always bought something. Learned much later a lot of folk believed if you didn't they'd hex you!
