Let's say something nice about Travellers

OK, I'm going to damn them with faint praise here but ...

I was involved with Travellers in a minor way (strictly professional) for a couple of years in the Noughties. I met them regularly and found them to be absolutely wonderful people: humble, intelligent, religious with a great sense of humour. Very family-centred, as others have said. I remember telling my friends that society had given Travellers an undeserved bad rap. Then, I happened to be in their company once (that was enough!) when they had alcohol taken and my eyes were well and truly opened. 

I don't know if it was an "In vino veritas" thing or whether they just can't cope with alcohol but it was the scariest hour of my life (until I managed to sneak away) when the people I knew as gentle, funny etc. turned completely (Jekyll and Hyde-style) into violent, dangerous psychos who I really thought were going to beat the s*it out of me for no other reason than I was not "one of them"

So, as I say: fond memories of many of the Travellers I met but will certainly not ever make the mistake of "befriending" them again!

end of the road wrote: »

the fact is travelers face discrimination unmatched by any other group, according to the UN and council of europe. this fact cannot be denied.

Do you agree also with the UN decision to put Saudi Arabia on the commission of women's human rights?

byronbay2 wrote: »

OK, I'm going to damn them with faint praise here but ...

I was involved with Travellers in a minor way (strictly professional) for a couple of years in the Noughties. I met them regularly and found them to be absolutely wonderful people: humble, intelligent, religious with a great sense of humour. Very family-centred, as others have said. I remember telling my friends that society had given Travellers an undeserved bad rap. Then, I happened to be in their company once (that was enough!) when they had alcohol taken and my eyes were well and truly opened. 

I don't know if it was an "In vino veritas" thing or whether they just can't cope with alcohol but it was the scariest hour of my life (until I managed to sneak away) when the people I knew as gentle, funny etc. turned completely (Jekyll and Hyde-style) into violent, dangerous psychos who I really thought were going to beat the s*it out of me for no other reason than I was not "one of them"

So, as I say: fond memories of many of the Travellers I met but will certainly not ever make the mistake of "befriending" them again!

This happens to settled people too.

Sweetemotion wrote: »

Settled people get drunk and want to beat you for being a traveller?

Getting drunk and starting fights just because is hardly behaviour exclusive to travellers.

My son ( 2 years old ) goes into Temple Street Hospital every 3 months for a treatment.

We go to the day ward over 2 days. We are there about 5-7 hours each day.

One time we where there and he was playing in the tiny play room they have. There was a boy and girl ( both travelers ) playing in there as well. The girl was about 8/9 and the boy about 3. My son was a bit shy to go in and play as it's a small room and sometimes he's shy. He was also connected to a drip ( infusion ). She made sure her little brother didn't go near it and didn't tangle in the line.

The little girl asked him if he wanted to play. They sat on the floor playing with blocks and rolling the ball to each other for ages. She even started reading him books ( which he loves ) They had to leave a little while later and I thanked the girl for playing with him and making his time in the day ward a little less stressful

Tigger wrote: »

they often have a courage and confidence that many people lack.

This made me burst out laughing in work

Deleted User wrote: »

Presume he meant "in Europe..."

In that case the Roma in Central/Eastern Europe would seriously dispute that.

Sweetemotion wrote: »

Do you agree also with the UN decision to put Saudi Arabia on the commission of women's human rights?

I'd take anything the UN says with a pinch of salt

Deleted User wrote: »

The repeated findings are that Travellers and the Roma are the two most discriminated against groups in Europe.

Whether you think them first or second in that list is not really the issue, either way it's scandalous.

Again its the "culture" of both groups that causes this. The are minorities but proportionately commit a high level of crime
Never mind the Roma women with the babies:mad:

Help!!!! wrote: »

But do you not think a lot of the discrimination is down to their own making? Like more people seem to have bad personal experience with them than good. If the Polish were constantly walking unto peoples property without invitation or robbing, shop lifting, animal abuse, wrecking their homes so they have to get them rehoused etc etc etc I'm sure they would be getting abuse on here too

the discrimination isn't of their own making no . discrimination is never of the making of the discriminated. the discriminators will blame the discriminated for their discrimination because they want to find some excuse to continue the discrimination because it gives them power over the discriminated.

Help!!!! wrote: »

Again its the "culture" of both groups that causes this. The are minorities but proportionately commit a high level of crime
Never mind the Roma women with the babies

no it's people getting away with it is what causes it. the culture or criminality are separate to discrimination.

the discrimination travelers face is no laughing or joking matter.

Never have an issue with payment. They primarily deal in Cash which I like.

Generally pleasant to deal with.