(no subject)

[kamomil]

I'm going to see Pavee Lackeen with my parents... my dad grew up in Ireland and he's familiar with the Traveller community - or "tinkers" as they were called. I saw it in eye magazine, my dad is all excited about seeing it, he was "where did you find out about it?" etc. etc. I'm excited that my dad is excited! He's not much one for movies or getting out.

OMG I just read this page and it makes me want to cry. "No, I wouldn't want to live in Venice. Eight euro for a cup of tea. I couldn't wait to come home."

Comments

[gabbytheguy.livejournal.com]

I'm sure with everything it's a case of the minority giving the majority a bad name, but every time I've come into contact with travelling folk it's never been a nice experience...

[kamomil.livejournal.com]

well my dad tells some interesting stories about them. My grandmother used to have to deal with them begging at the door, and of course, no one would turn them away because their situation was so terrible. However last time I visited, my aunt had her purse stolen from the kitchen counter (guess they've never heard of keeping the front door locked?) and the tinkers were blamed.

[gabbytheguy.livejournal.com]

My parents used to have travellers pitch their caravans at the end of their road where there was a nice big grassy area for the horses. Eventually the council had to build a huge mound of dirt around it to stop them from going on the land.

In the UK there are designated places for these people to go - they are provided for, but still choose not to do it. That's the irksome part is the taxpayer is paying for non-taxpayers to use something that they don't even care or bother to use...and then the travellers wonder why they get given a hard time!

[kamomil.livejournal.com]

Are these Irish travellers in England? I had no idea. I wonder if they couldn't be deported back to Ireland? That sounds like an annoying situation.

I imagine it's tough for them to settle down and change their lives, even with all the government help. I get mad at Newfoundlanders a bit when they move away for a job, then quit and move home because they can't hack living somewhere else. But people can have a hard time adjusting, and if given the choice, will choose the familiar, which is not always good. I guess they're living in the moment, instead of seeing the big picture.

My dad speaks about them with pity one moment, and mischievous caution the next. :P

[(Anonymous)]

Yeah, your last sentence sounds about right...

[gabbytheguy.livejournal.com]

Sorry that was me!