Big Fat Gypsy Weddings? How?

[Theland1]

My own hard working children could never afford the lifestyle of the travellers depicted in the programme, yet it is politically incorrect to assume the beneficiaries of the travelling lifestyle are in any way dishonest. So, what gives? Do you have any informed comments to make on the gypsy financial fluidity?

[sherrardk]

Just watching at week's edition - they spend a fortune on clothes and make up. Makes me wonder how they do it too.

[Theland1]

My experience of travellers over many years is one of theft and dishonesty, but to say as much attracts accusations of political incorrectness.

[sherrardk]

There's one family of 'settled' travellers at our local primary. He deals with scrap (but I am 'friends' with them over another issue - it doesn't harm to have them on your side rather than against you). The children are dressed a certain way though - I can't work out where they get their clothes from though.

[Captin Kirk]

Funny how many of the men folk have their faces blurred out.

[firewatch]

i have no idea how they afford it, we have a settled family up the road but the definatley do not keep the side up on looking good!

[Theland1]

To use an over used analogy, but apt I believe, the question of their income is, "The Elephant In The Room." We see it but dare not mention it. If only Panorama or Dispatches would do some investigative reporting on this.

[pusskin]

They dont want you to recognise any of their men, as it will spoil their work options ---ripping people off. They have to hide their faces!

[barney15c]

Obviously Tarmacing and Scrap Metal Dealing are booming businesses if the big luxury cars and 4x4's they seem able to afford are anything to go by.....

[Zhukov]

They appear to know every Scam going.A lot of them will nick anything,that"s not nailed down.My experiences of "Travellers",is that if they want something from you,they will ask,and ask,until they have pestered the life out of you..under those circumstances,many people would succumb...And most of these "Gypsies",pay no taxes..small wonder that most are awash with cash!

[barney15c]

These weddings don't come cheap how do they afford them, wouldn't be at all suprised if a few of these gypsies are cash millionaires.

[NOX]

Do any of you realise that if you simply knock for scrap you can easily earn a grand a day?
If it's a gypsy doing it it's appalling, disgraceful, shouldn't be allowed, if some middle class twit whose never done a hard days work in their lives does it it's called recycling.
People's abilities to jump to conclusions, assume the worst and otherwsie show their ignorance never ceases to amaze me.

[Zhukov]

..yes we know NOX.You were fortunate enough to know a few good "uns,who wintered on your land.Lucky you!

Almost all that I have met,were bad "uns..not so Lucky me!

[NOX]

Just try and be a bit more fair minded, you can't generalise in the way people seem happy to do about travellers. Since you're clearly so good at remembering my posts you might also remember that I've had physical fights with two travellers and run ins with others as well over the years. The point of this post however was not ' Are they good, are they bad?' but rather where do they get their money from and I was simply pointing out that you can EARN ( not steal EARN) a grand a day by simply knocking for scrap. Doesn't take a genius to work out how much that could amount to in a very short space of time.

[Postdog]

I gave gypsies a chance once! Never again!

[starone]

All their work is cash in hand. No taxes or other bills to pay. There is one around here somewhere - you won't find him - who employs some of the young lads and they have said that when he pays them, which to be fair he does every day they work, he pulls out a huge roll of notes. Nuff said!!

[welshlibranr]

that's just them!....thy used to come camp in a layby near us, make a huge mess, kill the geese from the lake and eat them, and when the mess got really bad they left for pastures new!......I have no time for them!.......parasites!...

[Theland1]

Nox is right to point out that tarring them all with the same brush is wrong, but I think he misses the point of all of the anecdotal evidence to suggest scamming and dishonesty.
Too many people have negative experiences of their contacts with travellers, so like I said earlier, some investigative reporting would be welcome.

[jomifl]

I have lived amongst them and employed them, there are a few good'uns but on the whole they are thieving, dishonest, devious, etc.

[ummmm]

Like NOX says....I got £70 by scrapping my old boiler. I used to work for a plumber....he always used gypsies to take away his scrap.

[tamborine]

Gipsies are opportunists. They will flood an area to tarmac/roofing & chop trees; all for nil 'paper trail' payment.

We all have the same choice if we weren't open to redress by fixed addresses.