Alot of these 'gypsy people' are thieves!

I've never witnessed gypsies myself, but my parents used to tell a story...

Both my parents' families owned community grocery/general merchandise stores in the south. One day, when my parents were dating, my father was visiting my mother at her parents' store when a group of Gypsies came in. My mother and her family had never dealt with or even seen any before, but my father and his family had dealt with them extensively at their own store so he knew what they were most likely about and what they were most likely to get up to. He warned my grandparents and a couple of others in the store to 'pick a gypsy' and not take their eyes off them even if another was trying to capture their attention...because that's what they'd do: Come in a group and while the majority of them made a lot of ruckus, ask a million questions, and basically keep your attention, one or two would slip behind the counter or office and steal you blind. Sure enough, my dad caught one of the men trying to open the cash register and while my grandfather threw him out, my father turned to see one of the women slipping into the back room. He grabbed her by the shoulders, took her to the door and, so I've been told, literally KICKED her out of the store. They left and never came back! Now I'm sure that not all gypsies are like that and stereotypes, in general, don't speak for all people of a particular group...but in this case, it's a good thing my dad did stereotype them because this particular group certainly lived up to it.


The bee hunts in pairs....and other fruits...

Lol, I've always adored camping! And I'm determined to someday realize my dream of living a nomadic life on the road, with some sort of trailer/recreational vehicle. As attached as I am to the place I grew up in and still live (but not for too much longer...), I do believe that I could eventually give up ties to any particular location for a life of travel, freedom, and adventure.

I have a travel trailer that my family has used extensively for many years. The dear old thing has certainly seen better days, and we'll probably end up getting something new within a couple of years. But the notion that having/using a bathroom AND cooking inside the same trailer is unsanitary, sounds silly to me, personally. It's always best when you can hook it up, but even when you can't, it's always been manageable (e.g., with a porta-potty.) Our trailer's bathroom has a sunroof with a powerful little fan attached. The worst part has always been the odor of the blue liquid you have to put in the toilet. But it's never been like using the bathroom in the kitchen, lol.

To answer someone else's question, yes, a bathroomless trailer (which were more commonly made in the past) would indeed just use the extra space for the other areas (like a bathroomless house or apartment would xD), or possibly even to add in some other desired feature(s.)

I'm not surprised to read that travellers such as the ones appearing on this show use outhouses/communal outdoor facilities. Heh, I mean...there are some times and places when you can get away with just the great outdoors, buuut...you do kinda need some type of plan if you're not gonna utilize trailer bathrooms. xD But it's true, ya know...seems as though these girls would find a place for bathing, toiletries, freshening and dressing up, etc., very useful. :/ So it's quite surprising...

I'm a really big fan of all types of recreational vehicles and mobile homes. :3 I have several books on the subject, and some include chapters on gypsy caravans. The ones featured in those books are truly awesome and beautiful (but indeed, don't typically have bathroom facilities.)

Anyway, I caught one episode of this the other day and can definitely tell that the word "documentary" does not describe it. Have to admit that on first glance the word "gypsy" conjured up somewhat romanticized notions of the Gypsies (though I knew not to expect Esmeralda, exactly.) From skimming around online, I see that lots of other people were disturbed or appalled by much of the seemingly "backward" behaviors displayed on the show. I was aware of the unfortunate negative stereotypes of the Roma and their culture, as well as that of the travellers in general, but a program like this is doing more to generate further distaste than to help anyone. According to another message, what we're seeing is an unfair and inaccurate representation of a small portion of the Irish Traveller group--and the rest of the people affected by the more undesirable depictions and labeling of this show's "gypsies" are rather riled up about it. And rightly so, I should think. I respect differing cultures and detest undeserved stereotypes and prejudices as much as any sensible person.

Everyone's also wondering about their income sources to cover the elaborate ceremonies, dresses, and whatnot. Certainly would be interesting to find out. I don't want to assume that "they're thieves and they steal, scam, run away endlessly to escape debt, etc." Prefer to think that they honestly earn it--and maybe, given their reduced expenses, they're able to use a good bit of it on those extravagant, pricey-looking things they evidently love so much, lol!

I like you, Um. I like largeness...