If you are talking about thieves please just say thieves.There is no need for all this.

Would you all please stop this holier than thou PC crap!!! "Oh I'm so better than you." <BR> <BR>As you guys saw from Mike's post, one of the accepted definitions of Gypsies is Vagabond Etc.... <BR> <BR>If you are SO worried about being PC (SHEILA) than for god's sake use their official term "Romani" or any of its various derivitives. <BR> <BR>You fucks are so annoying.

Whew, Lem! I bet you're glad you brought this up! <BR>Let me tell you about my non-experiences with Gyps...er, uh, Roma...er, uh, vagabonds in Rome. <BR>We were there in May and kept waiting to get hit by them, but it never happened. I don't know if the Italian police have cleaned them out or what. <BR>We outfitted ourselves with a handy money belt that fits inside inside the front of your slacks and is hooked onto your belt. It fits nicely and is comfortable. I wish I could tell you where I got it, but all I can remember is that I ordered it from one of those specialty travel catalogs. <BR>By the way, there are Watcha-Call-Its in the U.S. Their special scams: <BR>Fake home repair, including blacktopping driveways with ordinaey paint -- they prey on the elderly, and <BR>Causing a ruckus in stores or supermarkets to distract security and then making off with the goods. <BR>Their origin is India, not Europe.

I am Romish. I come to seal your driveway, roof your house, and steal your money. HAHAHA

I'm staying out of this one ...

Here is a little number I performed about Gypsies, er, Romish: <BR>GYPSIES, TRAMPS AND THIEVES <BR> <BR>written by Bob Stone <BR> <BR>performed by Cher and others <BR> <BR>I was born in the wagon of a traveling show <BR>My momma used to dance for the money they'd throw <BR>Papa would do whatever he could <BR>Preach a little Gospel <BR>Sell a couple bottles of Dr. Good(1) <BR> <BR> <BR>Chorus: <BR>Gypsies, tramps and thieves <BR>We'd hear it from the people of the town <BR>They'd call us <BR>Gypsies, tramps and thieves <BR>But every night all the men would come around <BR>And lay their money down <BR> <BR> <BR>Picked up a boy just south of Mobile(2) <BR>Gave him a ride, filled him with a hot meal <BR>I was 16, he was 21 <BR>Rode with us to Memphis(3) <BR>And Papa woulda shot 'im if he knew what he'd done <BR> <BR> <BR>Chorus <BR> <BR> <BR>I never had schoolin' but he taught me well <BR>With his smooth, Southern style <BR>Three months later I'm a gal in trouble(4) <BR>And I haven't seen him for a while <BR>I haven't seen him for a while <BR> <BR> <BR>She was born in the wagon of a traveling show <BR>Her momma used to dance for the money they'd throw <BR>Grandpa would do whatever he could <BR>Preach a little Gospel <BR>Sell a couple bottles of Dr. Good <BR> <BR> <BR>Repeat Chorus <BR> <BR> <BR>(1) Traveling shows often sold medicines with imaginative names. Some contained opium or other narcotics or cocaine. It's not surprising that they were quite popular. <BR>(2) a city in Alabama <BR>(3) a city in Tennessee, more than 500 miles (800 kilometers) from Mobile, a long way in a wagon pulled by horses <BR>(4) "in trouble" when describing a young women usually means she's pregnant <BR>

This is a good reason to always pack some heat so you can blow these suckers away when they come around. I recommend a 45 as a good all around general purpose anti-Gypsy device. However, if the gang is all children than a nice chrome plated 22 will work very nicely. In that case the 45 would be a case of overkill. <BR> <BR>Thank you, and God bless George Bush (and his Daddy).

I had a "gypsy" hand me a carnation then proceed to read my palm in Seville...when I said not interested and refused to pay her, she swiped back the flower. Isn't that INDIAN giving???? <BR> <BR>I'm so confused.

SO ANYWAY, Lem....back to your question. If you must have a wallet, don't carry it in your back pocket. That's the first place the thieves feel up. Also, keep your reflexes quick--my brother was pretty fast in pinning a gypsy girl to a train door, forcing her partner to return his wallet or be separated or caught. Money belts are worth the discomfort, let me tell you.

Also watch for groups of these people trying to encircle you or just getting too close. If you keep them at a distance, your chances of a confrontation are less.

Thank you everyone that responded to my message. I apoligize to those that I offended. It was not my intention to single out any race or particular group. Many of the travel books that I have read specifically warn of gypsie thieves. For those that were offended perhaps you should no longer use this web site since they too refer to the "Gypsie Thieves" It is unfortunate that we now live in an age whereas a simple question is now percieved to be an insult and you cannot get an answer without all the political posturing. The U.S. Presidential election has clearly illustrated that.... of course, that is another topic altogether. Many thanks to those that answered a simple question from a simple man.

You're "simple" alright Lem! Why don't you take your own advice and stay off this site.

Actually Lem, I wouldn't want to be categorised with those who had a go at you and I feel a bit guilty for having started it, but I do feel strongly about racial generalisation and I was only trying to guide you quietly in avoiding what, in some circles, would ne a solecism. I think you got two sets of information from the question and if we all just ignore those who managed to be rude about it I guess we'll live longer!!

Do the Fodor's publications also spell gypsy in that most unusual way ("gypsie"). I've never seen that before. <BR> <BR>I think Sheila was absolutely right in content and tone every time she said anything on this thread.

Looks like Fedup and Schoolmarm are still mad over the election. Typical Gore voters, all action and no thought. At least Schoolmarm can spell.

BJ get a life. Gore or Bush has nothing to do with Lem's racist troll posting. And what's spelled wrong in my posting. You suck.

Experts agree that the United States of America has the world's most racially, ethnically, economically, sexually, generationally heterogeneous pickpocket force in the world, so why do you come to Europe expected us to be all the same?

Where exactly does the Fodors lit refer to gypsy thieves or "gypsie [sic] thieves")?

Gypsies, tramps, and thieves.

To Charlton Heston (ha ha) Very funny but this particular chat group seems a bit touchy and I am afraid might take you up on your suggestions.<BR>To Sharon who lost her bloom...I mean rose. "Indian giver"? Not India. You do know don't you that "pale faces" "speaking with forked tongues" called Native Americans that.Rather ironic when one considers all the broken treaties and stolen lands perpetrated by "non-Indians".