Watching Panorama's documentary on Dale Farm one cant help but wonder where all the male traveller's are. One other question that wasn't asked was why are they so against breaking tradition and moving into council provided homes?

They never do. In C4's My BFG wedding, the groom never appeared because 'it may jeopardise their career as a scrap metal dealer'. I am not sure whether it was said tongue in cheek, but was said during several of the weddings that happened on the programme.

Do any of these 'travellers' actually like travelling?

Good point - they seem to prefer staying put!

Eluard Havant wrote:
Do any of these 'travellers' actually like travelling?

This question has been answered so many times that I'm surprised it's emerging here.

The term 'Traveller' is an ethnic term used to describe formerly travelling people ethnically Irish in origin. That's how I understand it anyway- the fact that many no longer travel is irrelevant- that's just how they are still referred to, for want of a better term.

But there are peoples throughout Europe who do not fit in with what we call 'society', and have not done for many centuries. It's not just in the UK.

People such as the Sámi (Lapps) the traditionally (tho no longer) nomadic people of northern Finland, Norway, Sweden and Russia. I know quite a bit about the Sámi and have spent time up there. Unfortunately, the Finns are just as hostile to them as we are to the travellers here.

I've met many "gypsies" (why did that word become non PC?) and always liked them. Indeed I've even loved a few.

JK2006 wrote:
I've met many "gypsies" (why did that word become non PC?) and always liked them. Indeed I've even loved a few.

Indeed, when did 'gypsy' become non-PC? There is nothing shameful about being who you are.

I have so often seen people here and on other sites confuse the idea of 'Roma', 'Gypsy' and 'Traveller' as if they were the same thing. That's either lazy thinking, racism or reading the Daily Mail (or any combination of the above).

david wrote:


The term 'Traveller' is an ethnic term used to describe formerly travelling people ethnically Irish in origin.

That's a bit dubious. Even if it was true, shouldn't they be called 'Former travellers'? In fact, why shouldn't we ALL be called former travellers? None of us started out sedentry. I'm sure my ancestors - many of whom are Irish - got about a bit. It doesn't help when I squat down, usually outside Eaton Square, and say 'MINE!'

You don't hear the word tinker anymore either.

I know a lot of gypsies from my time in Bucharest,love those huge hats and mustaches,and the long flowing skirts of the ladies.I believe David will know these from Budapest.

david wrote:
Eluard Havant wrote:
Do any of these 'travellers' actually like travelling?

This question has been answered so many times that I'm surprised it's emerging here.

The term 'Traveller' is an ethnic term used to describe formerly travelling people ethnically Irish in origin. That's how I understand it anyway- the fact that many no longer travel is irrelevant- that's just how they are still referred to, for want of a better term.

But there are peoples throughout Europe who do not fit in with what we call 'society', and have not done for many centuries. It's not just in the UK.

People such as the Sámi (Lapps) the traditionally (tho no longer) nomadic people of northern Finland, Norway, Sweden and Russia. I know quite a bit about the Sámi and have spent time up there. Unfortunately, the Finns are just as hostile to them as we are to the travellers here.

don't tell In The Know...Gypsy / Travellers / Romanies /Poles /Greeks/ single mums/unemployed/Labour voters/disabled pensioners/ rioters..there all one big ethnic group rolled into one who whinge and scrounge

now he's even including Margaret Thatcher ..and he calls me loony !

veritas wrote:
david wrote:
Eluard Havant wrote:
Do any of these 'travellers' actually like travelling?

This question has been answered so many times that I'm surprised it's emerging here.

The term 'Traveller' is an ethnic term used to describe formerly travelling people ethnically Irish in origin. That's how I understand it anyway- the fact that many no longer travel is irrelevant- that's just how they are still referred to, for want of a better term.

But there are peoples throughout Europe who do not fit in with what we call 'society', and have not done for many centuries. It's not just in the UK.

People such as the Sámi (Lapps) the traditionally (tho no longer) nomadic people of northern Finland, Norway, Sweden and Russia. I know quite a bit about the Sámi and have spent time up there. Unfortunately, the Finns are just as hostile to them as we are to the travellers here.

don't tell In The Know...Gypsy / Travellers / Romanies /Poles /Greeks/ single mums/unemployed/Labour voters/disabled pensioners/ rioters..there all one big ethnic group rolled into one who whinge and scrounge

now he's even including Margaret Thatcher ..and he calls me loony !

I'd be very shocked if you were a traveling Polish Gypsy,who was an unemployed labour voting rioting single parent claiming Maggie's allowances!

On the other hand give these people the oxygen of publicity....

Innocent Accused wrote:
You don't hear the word tinker anymore either.

I know a lot of gypsies from my time in Bucharest,love those huge hats and mustaches,and the long flowing skirts of the ladies.I believe David will know these from Budapest.

Interestingly, the Roma I knew and saw about town in Budapest were largely in urban city clothes. There were a few women wearing those amazing skirts/ dresses, but most of the people I knew were discriminated for their skin colour.

When I moved to a flat in the 8th District of Budapest a few people said to me 'are you sure? you're moving to a very Roma part of the city?' I actually felt very safe in that area, gypsy kids playing in the street, no one bothering me and generally feeling very safe. I was there for 3 years.

Of course the Travellers and Roma are not the same, but are often lumped together as if they were.

angel wrote:
Watching Panorama's documentary on Dale Farm one cant help but wonder where all the male traveller's are. One other question that wasn't asked was why are they so against breaking tradition and moving into council provided homes?

Most travellers have stopped travelling because society has made it too hard for them to do so.Silly questions like this just show how little society really understands.

And vice-versa.

CanterburyDave wrote:

Most travellers have stopped travelling because society has made it too hard for them to do so.Silly questions like this just show how little society really understands.

Surely, historically, the rest of us stopped travelling for the same reason. You're in society whether you like it or not. There's nothing 'silly' about acknowledging the incoherence of the 'alternative' position.

CanterburyDave wrote:
angel wrote:
Watching Panorama's documentary on Dale Farm one cant help but wonder where all the male traveller's are. One other question that wasn't asked was why are they so against breaking tradition and moving into council provided homes?

Most travellers have stopped travelling because society has made it too hard for them to do so.Silly questions like this just show how little society really understands.

Your comment has absolutely nothing to do with the points I raised.

Whitstable Pete wrote:
CanterburyDave wrote:

Most travellers have stopped travelling because society has made it too hard for them to do so.Silly questions like this just show how little society really understands.

Surely, historically, the rest of us stopped travelling for the same reason. You're in society whether you like it or not. There's nothing 'silly' about acknowledging the incoherence of the 'alternative' position.

The hunter gatherer stopped quite a long time before today's traveller.I think Dave has a valid point.

Whitstable Pete wrote:
CanterburyDave wrote:

Most travellers have stopped travelling because society has made it too hard for them to do so.Silly questions like this just show how little society really understands.

Surely, historically, the rest of us stopped travelling for the same reason. You're in society whether you like it or not. There's nothing 'silly' about acknowledging the incoherence of the 'alternative' position.

In society whether we like it or not is surely right.

But as it's hardly a civilized one it should be resisted at all times.

I think 'travelers' whether stationery or on the go should be encouraged.

I note Private Eye has a piece explaining how the private balliffs have been paid well over 2 million pounds for their efforts and are largely made up of Polish workers.

everything is a scam.

Pattaya wrote:
Whitstable Pete wrote:
CanterburyDave wrote:

Most travellers have stopped travelling because society has made it too hard for them to do so.Silly questions like this just show how little society really understands.

Surely, historically, the rest of us stopped travelling for the same reason. You're in society whether you like it or not. There's nothing 'silly' about acknowledging the incoherence of the 'alternative' position.

The hunter gatherer stopped quite a long time before today's traveller.I think Dave has a valid point.

Ah, so it's all about timing!

Prunella Minge wrote:
Pattaya wrote:
Whitstable Pete wrote:
CanterburyDave wrote:

Most travellers have stopped travelling because society has made it too hard for them to do so.Silly questions like this just show how little society really understands.

Surely, historically, the rest of us stopped travelling for the same reason. You're in society whether you like it or not. There's nothing 'silly' about acknowledging the incoherence of the 'alternative' position.

The hunter gatherer stopped quite a long time before today's traveller.I think Dave has a valid point.

Ah, so it's all about timing!

looks like it Pru