Question For All Europeans

Lapin · 08-03-2007, 10:27 AM

I mentioned to a friend the other day that I was going to Germany in a year. A rather odd conversation followed:

"Didn't you say you were part Gypsy?"
(I nod)
"Listen, don't ever, ever tell anyone over there. You can say you're Irish and Czech, no big deal. But don't tell people about the Gypsy part."

I'm confused. She seems to think I'll encounter prejudice, a lot of it, if I tell people. Is this true?

Part of my family is Roma, but its never been an issue for me in America. Will it be?

honeythorn · 08-03-2007, 10:32 AM

I don't see why it should. But if you think it will cause trouble then just don't mention it. I don't mean you have to hide it, but just don't bother telling anyone if you think there may be a problem.

Romantic Raven · 08-03-2007, 10:38 AM

In Europe, gypsies aren't seen in a good light (no, wait, that was too mild: they are hated) because they are thieves and liars, and the only things they know how to do are stealing, swearing at people for no apparent reason and lazing around. I have a problem with gypsies mainly because there are many of them in my country, and not only do they do a lot of damage to our reputation (not to mention our poor nerves), but they also started going abroad and causing a lot of mischief there. For example, in many countries such as Spain and Italy, there are shops Romanians are not allowed to enter, because the people there are under the wrong impressions that all Romanians are gypsies! I find this outrageous, and this and some personal encounters with them have made me think of them as the most loathsome people.

On the other hand, Lapin, you are a nice and educated person, and my opinion is that even if you went to Europe and wore a large sign saying "I'M A GYPSY", no one would believe you, because you wouldn't correspond to the stereotypical description.

Lapin · 08-03-2007, 10:41 AM

I don't even look it because of my Irish blood. I'm very pale.

But I've got the family eyes. (grin)

My friend has actually said I should outright lie if anyone questions me too closely, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that. She even suggested I use my Irish surname instead. (My name is rather odd I suppose)

It just seems ridiculous though.

KontanKarite · 08-03-2007, 10:47 AM

Actually, being that you're American, you might just experience predjudices anyway.

How long will you be in Germany? Are you even sure you'll be that sociable to the natives? I was stationed in Italy for almost two years. I was never really social with the natives. Then again, they hated the US military for one reason or another.

some of them were actually kinda cool though.

Have fun in Germany and if you're of age, I'd recommend looking to checking out some of the Industrial music scene there. ^___^

Romantic Raven · 08-03-2007, 10:49 AM

I think your friend is overreacting. If someone questions you, I don't think you should lie, just tell the truth. Someone questiong you about your heritage implies that you've already had a conversation before this, so they should realise that you have no... erm... Roma habits, if I may say so.

Lapin · 08-03-2007, 10:59 AM

She's just scaring me quite a bit. She honestly seems worried for my safety.

Kontan, I am of age, and I do plan to. I'll be in Germany for a few years most likely, then I'll probably be sent off to England. I'm probably going to be doing a lot of local-mixing, since I can't stand staying on base all the time.

Cappinator · 08-03-2007, 02:13 PM

Here in Belgium, gypsies (Roma) have a very bad reputation. The reason for this is the same as the one Romantic Raven mentioned. Over here, a lot of them are thieves, burglars, etc...

While I try not to give in to racial or cultural prejudice, I can't vouch for my fellow Belgians. Though, I'm pretty sure you'll encounter quite some people who will judge you for who you are, not for what part of your heritage is.

People are relatively open-minded here. If you ever get to Belgium, I wouldn't hide it if asked about it, but I wouldn't go around telling everyone either.

Tha Duckman · 08-03-2007, 02:59 PM

DON'T tell them. Your friend's right, lie to them. ANY part Gypsy is basically WHOLE Gypsy to the majority.

Lapin · 08-03-2007, 03:13 PM

Are you being serious Duck, or just overdramatic?

Unfortunately, my surname might stand out...a tad. Maybe I should use my Irish surname....

Tha Duckman · 08-03-2007, 03:21 PM

I'm being serious. DON'T.

Cappinator · 08-03-2007, 03:56 PM

Well, when in doubt... err on the right side, I guess.

CptSternn · 08-04-2007, 09:46 PM

In Europe, we have gypsys. They are not loved. Americans think funky dressed in colourful clothes dancing around playing fiddles.

Today, gypsys have a new look and game. They beg on street corners, rob handbags in pubs, pose as men who are cleaning gardens or doing tarmac jobs (i.e. paving driveways for Americans), but just take the money and do no work. Some hold semi-legit jobs, like busking (playing music for change) and selling roses outside night clubs at 2 in the morning.

One of the best scams they run is doing things like clearing old persons driveways, from snow or fallen debris, then demanding exorbitant amounts of money and causing a huge scene to bully old people into paying them for work they never asked to be done.

They live outside the system, usually in caravans (what Americans call trailers) or just build shanty towns on the side of the road where there is space.

We just had a group of 50 removed from the shoulder of the road in Dublin where they built their little 'village' out of cardboard and tarps.

They for the most part go to an area, work the people there until the people get so fed up they come after them, then they just abandon their shanty towns or hook their trailer up to their vans and take off to the next area.

I worked as a bouncer for many years in UK/Ireland. We had big problems with gypsys coming into pubs under the guise of selling stuffed animals/roses, and then later find out out the old lady with the man was robbing handbags while his partner kept the couples attention.

Actually, I personally know of about 10 times this happened. Another trick is to send in kids to the pub begging for change, and while patrons dig through their wallets, they rob the mobile phones off the bar or anything of value people don't pay attention to.

As far as them being Romanian, all EU countries have some sort of gypsys. Romanians are the best known because they have been around for years. Also note they just entered the EU so have been given legal license to move out of their country now. The thing is, without a proper job and ID they can't get free housing or social welfare in member states, but they still move to other EU nations, and just choose to live rough, working various scams to make money. If you live in the EU you can move freely now throughout, but still need to get your papers sorted to work once you get to your new location and need a license/ID/passport to verify who you are as well.

For every one you meet that is making an honest living, you find a half dozen relatives all living with him or her running a scam.

So when in the EU, it's prolly best not to say your a gypsy.

It's equal in America to coming out and saying Hi, I live in a crackhouse. People right away start looking at you funny and making judgments the minute they hear that.

Don't Look Behind You · 08-05-2007, 06:40 PM

Well don't know about Germany, but here the turks are much more a "problem" than the Gypsies. Since I am going to Germany in a few days I'll have a look at the situation.
But I say you will have no problems in being a gypsy as long as you don't beg on the streets. It is a totaly ridiculous assumption that "here in Europe" you can't have a certain nationality without being ridiculed....or at least not more than somewhere else.

Lapin · 08-05-2007, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CptSternn

In Europe, we have gypsys. They are not loved. Americans think funky dressed in colourful clothes dancing around playing fiddles.

You're quite right. Everytime its ever brought up, (mostly not by me), they ask if that part of my family does that. They think "Hunchback of Notre Dame"(Disney version) and fortune-tellers.

(The answer is 'no'. My Roma family owns a huge amount of land in Texas where they raise cattle and refuse to speak English while complaining about the various Hispanics speaking Spanish.)