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Now Ye're Talking - To a member of the Traveller Community

24

Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 114 ✭✭TravellerGirl


    Neyite wrote: »
    Hi TG!

    You said you wanted children on the other thread. Is there a a maximum you'd like? Would this differ from the size of your parents family?

    Would you use family planning or leave the number of children you will have to nature.

    How long have you lived on your site? Would other families come and go often, or is it more of a long term community? Would you often get a Traveller family move in who you didn't know at all or do Travellers tend to move to sites with family they know already there?

    I want six myself but if I have more Iwould be happy. My parents only had 4 kids and my partner has nine siblings.

    No I live on private ground.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 33,733 ✭✭✭✭Myrddin


    It's a fantastic idea for a thread, & one you should be commended for taking part in, fair play to you. My question to you:

    Some of the questions thus far have been great ones, others, not so much. One for example asking about why some travellers felt it ok to abuse the social welfare system, to me seemed to omit the fact that many settled people abuse the social welfare system, undoubtedly for the same reason some traveller folk do. For me, such thinking represents the focal point of why there is discrimination and stereotyping of the traveller community, and probably equally why some travellers have similar disdain for the settled community. It's a clash of sides, with each side sticking to their guns. How do you feel as a society, we might overcome the current stalemate?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,664 ✭✭✭MrWalsh


    No they consider themselves settled and traveller. Their kids areboth too.

    I suppose this means that going forward there will be far more integration as their children will mix with both settled and traveller cousins. Do you think that this kind of integration is a good thing?


  • Registered Users Posts: 114 ✭✭TravellerGirl


    I really enjoyed the recent Norah Casey series where she gave traveller girls with talents a chance to work on their talents where they might not ordinarily have gotten to. Just ordinary girls that happened to grow up in different communities as far as I could see. The artist girl was amazing.

    Do you have any particular talents that you feel your background as a traveller has prevented you from pursuing?

    I think that was a good program and a chance for the girls to make something of themselves. No matter what I would want to do I would regardless.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,630 ✭✭✭✭El_Duderino 09


    I dont think so. I don't vote. The guards will not help you at all.

    In which ways do the guards not help?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,131 ✭✭✭✭Kermit.de.frog


    In GENERAL, how do travellers get their income?

    Same question.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 9,464 ✭✭✭Celly Smunt


    Hi op,How come travellers tend to have large cashflows and drive big new cars,designer clothes etc without being employed? Is there that much of a return in scrap metal collection?

    How come travellers also tend to feel oppressed by the state though in reality it is the traveller who chooses to live that way, i.e lets refer to child mortality rates due to living conditions.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,169 ✭✭✭The Peanut


    Hi there and thank you for providing this opportunity for people to engage.

    I have very strong memories of a boy who spent a lot of time in my class in primary school. He and I became very good friends and I was always very sad when he moved on. These happened on and off over a 3-4 year period until his family eventually stopped coming to our school.

    It must have been very hard for many young children to have this transient lifestyle. Did you experience this much as a child and would you be comfortable moving around with your own children?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,981 ✭✭✭minikin


    Do you think Norah Casey's programme is more concerned with genuinely helping the ladies (why no men?) or with showcasing her own company's services?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,488 ✭✭✭TheChizler


    Have you ever heard of cases of arranged or forced marriage? Or even cases where either partner wasn't fully on board?

    It never occurred to me before today when I heard someone mention it on the radio.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 36 Elly_Welly


    Have you ever met someone who married their cousin? If so, was the topic of genetic issues raised?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    Fair play to you for coming on and doing this. It's properly sticking your neck out as has already been evidenced in this thread is leaving yourself open to some seriously misguided opinions. Some of your answers have also been quite insightful into the overall traveller culture and why some attitudes are the way they are. It doesn't mean they're right, but they're not unreasonably held attitudes either.

    The kinds of prejudices that exist in the settled community about travellers are likewise reflected in the traveller community about settled people, such as not trusting a settled man to stay, not trusting Gardai, etc etc.

    What do you think are the biggest barriers at present preventing travellers and settled people from having some form of harmony instead of the constant tension and dislike on both sides of the fence?

    What could travellers do to improve the situation and what could settled people do?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,664 ✭✭✭MrWalsh


    Elly_Welly wrote: »
    Have you ever met someone who married their cousin? If so, was the issue of genetic issues raised?

    Settled people marry their cousins. There is no legal or medical restriction on people marrying first cousins in Ireland.

    There is information on consanguinity rules here:
    http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/birth_family_relationships/getting_married/legal_prerequisites_for_marriage.html

    The rules are no different for travellers!


  • Registered Users Posts: 5 mchubes


    Do you have friends or family who move around? how often would it be normal for people to move? When people do move would one family do it at a time or would it be a case of a larger extended family moving at once? Did the school ever do anything about you being bullied?

    Thanks for all the answers by the way.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 36 Elly_Welly


    MrWalsh wrote: »
    Settled people marry their cousins. There is no legal or medical restriction on people marrying first cousins in Ireland.

    There is information on consanguinity rules here:

    The rules are no different for travellers!

    Yes, but marriage between cousins is a more prevalent phenomenon among travellers than the settled community in Ireland. Also, I'm not talking about it from a legal perspective, but want to know if anyone raised concerns regarding possible genetic repercussions


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  • Registered Users Posts: 5 mchubes


    How come travellers also tend to feel oppressed by the state though in reality it is the traveller who chooses to live that way, i.e lets refer to child mortality rates due to living conditions.

    Yeah but the state can't really operate on an 'our way or the highway' kind of basis


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 9,464 ✭✭✭Celly Smunt


    mchubes wrote: »
    Yeah but the state can't really operate on an 'our way or the highway' kind of basis

    Not really,the state puts in the general requirements for a standard level of living,if the travelling community choose to live below those conditions then they cant complain as the wont avail of what's offered to society as a whole.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5 mchubes


    Not really,the state puts in the general requirements for a standard level of living,if the travelling community choose to live below those conditions then they cant complain as the wont avail of what's offered to society as a whole.

    But its a standard level for settled people and fits into the settled way of living, there were travellers long before there was an irish state, I don't know enough about whats currently in place but there should be a sub department for healthcare, education and so on with travellers in mind as different things are required for a different lifestyle. Now this might already be the case I dont know.


  • Registered Users Posts: 114 ✭✭TravellerGirl


    In which ways do the guards not help?

    We were entry to a pub before and we called the guards and when they came they took sides with the owner not us. When we went to speak to the guards they got ignorant and asked us what do we want.


  • Registered Users Posts: 114 ✭✭TravellerGirl


    The Peanut wrote: »
    Hi there and thank you for providing this opportunity for people to engage.

    I have very strong memories of a boy who spent a lot of time in my class in primary school. He and I became very good friends and I was always very sad when he moved on. These happened on and off over a 3-4 year period until his family eventually stopped coming to our school.

    It must have been very hard for many young children to have this transient lifestyle. Did you experience this much as a child and would you be comfortable moving around with your own children?

    I like moving around myself but woth my owns I would only move around in the summer holidays.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 114 ✭✭TravellerGirl


    TheChizler wrote: »
    Have you ever heard of cases of arranged or forced marriage? Or even cases where either partner wasn't fully on board?

    It never occurred to me before today when I heard someone mention it on the radio.

    I dont think that happens anymore. I havent heard of it anyways.


  • Registered Users Posts: 114 ✭✭TravellerGirl


    Elly_Welly wrote: »
    Have you ever met someone who married their cousin? If so, was the topic of genetic issues raised?

    Yes an awful lot of my cousins are related and married. No their children was born perfectly healthy.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,923 ✭✭✭To Elland Back


    Hi Traveller Girl, fair play to you for coming on here, it is giving real insight on your community. It's very easy miss one question out of all the ones put to you but can I ask again how, generally, do most travellers earn an income?


  • Registered Users Posts: 114 ✭✭TravellerGirl


    mchubes wrote: »
    Do you have friends or family who move around? how often would it be normal for people to move? When people do move would one family do it at a time or would it be a case of a larger extended family moving at once? Did the school ever do anything about you being bullied?

    Thanks for all the answers by the way.

    No they generally leave it to the summer. They usually go in groups.
    No they didnt . I was the only traveller in the school so it was bad.


  • Registered Users Posts: 114 ✭✭TravellerGirl


    Hi Traveller Girl, fair play to you for coming on here, it is giving real insight on your community. It's very easy miss one question out of all the ones put to you but can I ask again how, generally, do most travellers earn an income?

    I don't know because I don't ask. Thats private business


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 600 ✭✭✭SMJSF


    (this isn't about me, someone I know of).
    what do you think of a settled girl purposely getting themselves pregnant with a traveller she was never in a relationship with "just for the money" and with hopes of getting a traveller title? Is it accepted or do you find it disrespectful?


  • Registered Users Posts: 114 ✭✭TravellerGirl


    MrWalsh wrote: »
    I suppose this means that going forward there will be far more integration as their children will mix with both settled and traveller cousins. Do you think that this kind of integration is a good thing?

    Yes thats true. I think it is because iits giving an insight to both worlds


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,664 ✭✭✭MrWalsh


    What kinds of things do you like to do to relax?

    I like to go to the gym, go for walks, read a book, mess around on the internet, go to cinema/theatre, out for dinner, watch telly etc... What kinds of things do you like to do?


  • Registered Users Posts: 114 ✭✭TravellerGirl


    SMJSF wrote: »
    (this isn't about me, someone I know of).
    what do you think of a settled girl purposely getting themselves pregnant with a traveller she was never in a relationship with "just for the money" and with hopes of getting a traveller title? Is it accepted or do you find it disrespectful?

    I find that disrespectful to be honest. Shes not gonna be accepted, if the child is his then it will be..

    I dont know why anyone will do that. She won't get no traveller title


  • Registered Users Posts: 114 ✭✭TravellerGirl


    MrWalsh wrote: »
    What kinds of things do you like to do to relax?

    I like to go to the gym, go for walks, read a book, mess around on the internet, go to cinema/theatre, out for dinner, watch telly etc... What kinds of things do you like to do?

    I like walking, I use to be a big reader.
    I use the internet all day everyday its my life haha.
    I like going cinemas but my fiance don't like them. I like relaxing watching a film with a chinese and a load of snacks with my fiance.
    I like going for dinner too.

    We are all the same just too different communities.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 114 ✭✭TravellerGirl


    sasta le wrote: »
    Could I become a traveller?

    No. Your parents, grandparents etc have to be travellers.


  • Registered Users Posts: 703 ✭✭✭Honey Monster


    How can some travellers afford €100,000 cars without actually having employment? How do travellers make their money, I know that's a general question but I've never worked with one and I've had a lot of varying jobs.

    Thank you.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,664 ✭✭✭MrWalsh


    I like walking, I use to be a big reader.
    I use the internet all day everyday its my life haha.
    I like going cinemas but my fiance don't like them. I like relaxing watching a film with a chinese and a load of snacks with my fiance.
    I like going for dinner too.

    We are all the same just too different communities.

    Very similar alright!! Actually the internet has squashed some of my reading, its very easy to just lose time to the internet.

    Do you drink alcohol much? What about nightclubs/discos - do you go?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 666 ✭✭✭DeltaWhite


    Hi Traveller Girl :)

    How do you feel about TV3 station? Do you feel that they create negative/positive attention towards travellers?

    Would you watch their programmes about Travellers?

    Thank you!


  • Registered Users Posts: 114 ✭✭TravellerGirl


    nibtrix wrote: »
    What age did you get married at? Do you think travellers in general marry too young?

    Your writing is very clear and coherent, do you mind me asking what level of education did you receive (up to junior cert, leaving cert etc.)? In your opinion is it difficult for travellers to stay in school past a certain level or age?

    I'm not married yet, I'm living with my fiance. Some do andsome wait.

    I only went as far as first year but I then attended yyouthreachfrom tthe age of 17 to 19. I was always good at school a proper scholar haha.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,657 ✭✭✭✭_Brian


    Really enjoying this thread.
    Thanks for answering questions.

    What do you think stops the well behaved travellers from reporting the criminal element among the community.
    I feel this would go a good way towards increasing acceptance that not all travellers are criminals.


  • Registered Users Posts: 114 ✭✭TravellerGirl


    DeltaWhite wrote: »
    Hi Traveller Girl :)

    How do you feel about TV3 station? Do you feel that they create negative/positive attention towards travellers?

    Would you watch their programmes about Travellers?

    Thank you!

    I don't watch it because I haven't got the channel lol. I don't watch tv.


  • Registered Users Posts: 114 ✭✭TravellerGirl


    _Brian wrote: »
    Really enjoying this thread.
    Thanks for answering questions.

    What do you think stops the well behaved travellers from reporting the criminal element among the community.
    I feel this would go a good way towards increasing acceptance that not all travellers are criminals.

    Because you don't want to get involved in other peoples business. There would be very big feuds if that happened.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,664 ✭✭✭MrWalsh


    I don't watch it because I haven't got the channel lol. I don't watch tv.

    I just found recently that TV3 have a live player on the internet, so I watch it there now!


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  • Registered Users Posts: 114 ✭✭TravellerGirl


    MrWalsh wrote: »
    Very similar alright!! Actually the internet has squashed some of my reading, its very easy to just lose time to the internet.

    Do you drink alcohol much? What about nightclubs/discos - do you go?

    Oh tell me about it I'm on it all day. I don't drink it much I don't like it. It causes too much trouble and health problems. I dont go to them at all too much trouble.


  • Registered Users Posts: 114 ✭✭TravellerGirl


    How can some travellers afford €100,000 cars without actually having employment? How do travellers make their money, I know that's a general question but I've never worked with one and I've had a lot of varying jobs.

    Thank you.

    This goes to the Travellers who have it - please give me some of it haha. I don't know where they get it but not all Travellers are rich. I'm one who ain't and I'm happy as I am.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,664 ✭✭✭MrWalsh


    What do you think about the videos on YouTube where young (and not so young) traveller men "call each other out" and there seems to be a lot of threatening and bad language etc.. Ive often wondered how serious these videos are?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,704 ✭✭✭Cheensbo


    Hi, thanks for doing AMA,

    On the high suicide rate:
    I recently stopped a young male traveller from committing suicide, he'd hanged himself but we got him down before the damage was done.

    He was 23, he was having trouble with his wife and this was not his first attempt.

    He was clearly having problems and when He came around while waiting for the ambulance he confided in us that he was unable to speak about it to anyone, and for him to be seen to seek professional help would have him shunned by his family and friends. He had tried to speak to his friends and he had just been told to cop on and man up...

    What would you say to this young man?

    And do you think that open speaking about mental health & other personal problems will ever be accepted in the traveller community?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,923 ✭✭✭To Elland Back


    I don't know because I don't ask. Thats private business

    I'd agree that it would be private business if I asked how much a person earned. I just asked about 'how'. I'd be interested to see what sector travellers were engaged in (construction, scrap, property, livestock etc)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,009 ✭✭✭Firedance


    Cheensbo wrote: »
    Hi, thanks for doing AMA,

    On the high suicide rate:
    I recently stopped a young male traveller from committing suicide, he'd hanged himself but we got him down before the damage was done.

    He was 23, he was having trouble with his wife and this was not his first attempt.

    He was clearly having problems and when He came around while waiting for the ambulance he confided in us that he was unable to speak about it to anyone, and for him to be seen to seek help would have him shunned by his family and friends. He had tried to speak to his friends and he had just been told to cop on and man up...

    What would you say to this young man?

    And do you think that open speaking about mental health & other personal problems will ever be accepted in the traveller community?

    This is a great thread, thanks for your honesty Traveller Girl. Just on the post above for anyone reading this who might feel they can't openly seek help Samaritans have a free to call number 116 123 or you can text them 087 2 60 90 90 and this allows you to talk in complete confidence.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 703 ✭✭✭Honey Monster


    This goes to the Travellers who have it - please give me some of it haha. I don't know where they get it but not all Travellers are rich. I'm one who ain't and I'm happy as I am.

    It's just something I've always wondered. Oh well. Thanks, you're doing a great job. :)


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    How do you/and your community feel about Irish Water and the water protests?


  • Registered Users Posts: 73 ✭✭Scruffy...The Janitor


    If someone (in dublin anyway) does something disgusting, it would be quite common for them to be called "a knacker" do you think this is a sign of how casual discrimination against travellers has become?

    Also would you be personally offended if you heard someone being called that even though it wasnt directed at you or anyone in the travelling community?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31,958 ✭✭✭✭Mars Bar


    Hi TravellerGirl. I live on a street renowned for it's traveller population and it has a bad rep. Our road almost splits in two with private houses like ours and our neighbours and the houses rented out by the council to the travellers.

    Apart from perhaps 5-10 houses, a lot of the others are terribly kept and have been vandalised by the travelling community who have moved in to caravans elsewhere or in the driveways. Loads of houses have been boarded up and the gardens left to overgrow (I think 27 was the last count). Why does there appear to be a lack of respect among the community for housing and property?

    Also, why don''t travellers park properly and not out in the middle of the road?!!!


  • Registered Users Posts: 106 ✭✭Tina82


    Hi TG,

    Great idea for a thread. I myself am a settled woman in a relationship wit a traveller. I can honestly say I never experienced discrimination until I became involved in this relationship and unfortunately the discrimination came from my own people (settled community). I had a very close friend that was getting married and invited all our friends and their partners to her wedding however I was invited on my own incase my partner would cause trouble. I will never forget the hurt and embarrassment I felt. I remember when we first met and we wanted to go out for a drink together he would be very nervous going to a pub door incase he was refused and he didn't want to embarrass me. I will admit that their is a lot of cultural differences between us but 6 years later we're still together and its working for us.


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