Pick pockets and Gypsies
Jan 2nd, 2014, 07:15 AM
#41
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Poisson Rouge - here is the text in the link that fails to work:
"Comedian Ben Miller said the BBC tried to stop him using the word "gypsy" in his new sketch series with Alexander Armstrong because it could be seen as racist.
The pair wanted to use the term in their BBC1 show to ridicule attitudes held in the 1970s.
Speaking to November's issue of FHM magazine, Miller said: "We're having a debate at the moment with the BBC over whether we can say gypsies, because they say gypsies is a racist term, and you think 'Yes it is, but that's the point that we're making, that we were more racist in the 70s than we are now'."
"Comedian Ben Miller said the BBC tried to stop him using the word "gypsy" in his new sketch series with Alexander Armstrong because it could be seen as racist.
The pair wanted to use the term in their BBC1 show to ridicule attitudes held in the 1970s.
Speaking to November's issue of FHM magazine, Miller said: "We're having a debate at the moment with the BBC over whether we can say gypsies, because they say gypsies is a racist term, and you think 'Yes it is, but that's the point that we're making, that we were more racist in the 70s than we are now'."
Jan 2nd, 2014, 07:20 AM
#42
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flpab lives in Florida but says:
"Just reading the UK papers and there are thousands of Romanians coming into the UK today without jobs. Bad situation and they have no place to even sleep or go to the bathroom."
Well this is simply not true according to an article in today's NYTimes which says that it is simply not true and that Romanians have been for months going to other European countries they feel are more welcoming and ofer better opportunities - indeed the airlines report a 3% decrease in Bulgarians coming to Britain for travel in the first 3 months of 2014 over the same period in 2013.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/02/wo...ians.html?_r=0
"Just reading the UK papers and there are thousands of Romanians coming into the UK today without jobs. Bad situation and they have no place to even sleep or go to the bathroom."
Well this is simply not true according to an article in today's NYTimes which says that it is simply not true and that Romanians have been for months going to other European countries they feel are more welcoming and ofer better opportunities - indeed the airlines report a 3% decrease in Bulgarians coming to Britain for travel in the first 3 months of 2014 over the same period in 2013.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/02/wo...ians.html?_r=0
Jan 3rd, 2014, 12:39 PM
#44
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RedFish: I was saying many and the BBC consider gypsy to be a pejorative terms and the article proves that - that some - some folk, including 'gypsies' themselves consider it derogatory - perhaps because the word gypsy has come to mean "thieve", robber, etc - being 'gipped' etc.
Just like our use of Indian Summer is now not PC.
I guess you'd have to ask a gypsy why their deign the term pejorative.
Just like our use of Indian Summer is now not PC.
I guess you'd have to ask a gypsy why their deign the term pejorative.
Jan 3rd, 2014, 12:56 PM
#45
Just reading the UK papers and there are thousands of Romanians coming into the UK today without jobs>>
well if you will read the Daily Mail, you deserve not to come to the UK. The fact is that no-one knows how many Romanians or bulgarians will come to the UK, but the betting is that the vast majority who do come will be hardworking and keen to contribute to society, just like the poles, czechs, germans, french, italians, spanish etc etc, who are already here. it is ironic that in one and the same breath, people who read papers like the Mail will grumble that Poles take their jobs, and claim benefits at the same time.
well if you will read the Daily Mail, you deserve not to come to the UK. The fact is that no-one knows how many Romanians or bulgarians will come to the UK, but the betting is that the vast majority who do come will be hardworking and keen to contribute to society, just like the poles, czechs, germans, french, italians, spanish etc etc, who are already here. it is ironic that in one and the same breath, people who read papers like the Mail will grumble that Poles take their jobs, and claim benefits at the same time.
Jan 3rd, 2014, 12:59 PM
#46
poisson rouge - there is a scam that is prevalent in Italy which I haven't seen mentioned here yet which is the people who walk up and down the trains, handing out very well written cards of pieces of paper, claiming that they have fallen on hard times etc. I've never seen them steal anything, but they can be quite an intimidating presence, and when they are around, i keep a good eye on my luggage.
Jan 3rd, 2014, 01:41 PM
#47
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Annhig, I've seen these people handing out pieces of paper on trains and returning to collect money all over the world, including in the US. In fact, over 20 years ago, when I lived there, there was a scandal involving deaf Mexican children whose parents enrolled them in what they thought were education programs in the US. Instead, the children were brought to New York, where they were kept in squalid conditions and made to do this begging on the subway.
Jan 3rd, 2014, 01:49 PM
#48
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The Paris Metro is infamous for such downtrodden looking and often 'gypsy' folk coming thru cars with handwritten notes in French and English begging for money. They seem harmless and just move on if you say no but like annhig says keep an eye on your belongings if they try to distract you or are working in pairs.
Accordion players also are a plague of the Paris metro.
Accordion players also are a plague of the Paris metro.
Jan 4th, 2014, 01:52 AM
#49
Annhig, I've seen these people handing out pieces of paper on trains and returning to collect money all over the world, including in the US. >>
bvlenci - really? I'm not doubting you at all but they have always struck me as being a uniquely italian phenomenon; I always wonder where they get the cards from, as they are so neatly written [or typed] in such good english. I remain very suspicious of them - I have very rarely seen anyone give them any money so the activity seems pointless if all they are doing is begging. If, OTOH, they are using it as a cover for more nefarious activities, the investment of time makes more sense.
bvlenci - really? I'm not doubting you at all but they have always struck me as being a uniquely italian phenomenon; I always wonder where they get the cards from, as they are so neatly written [or typed] in such good english. I remain very suspicious of them - I have very rarely seen anyone give them any money so the activity seems pointless if all they are doing is begging. If, OTOH, they are using it as a cover for more nefarious activities, the investment of time makes more sense.
Jan 4th, 2014, 04:03 AM
#50
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annhig - they have been a mainstay of the Paris metro system since I've been riding it - from the dark ages but have not seen them on trains - any trains even in Italy - metros yes but never trains - have you seen them on Trenitalia trains or are you talking about the metro?
Jan 4th, 2014, 05:04 AM
#51
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im a magnet when it comes to the roaming folk
in paris was accosted by flower bearing man who followed me despite me being with a male and a crowd of fellow travellers
in italy in florence was approached and cursed by a woman who had a laminated pic of a girl allegedly suffering from leukaemia...she spat at me when i shook my head but missed
i did get a cold later though lol
i was approached by drug selling dude in prague..should be flattered that he thought i was young and hip
was accosted by a gang of boys whilst trying to get through a turnstile in prague...they were walking towards us then started to jog and one put his hand out towards my big shoulder bag but my raincoat obscured his view...nonetheless it shook me up
i also get stopped by airport security ...sniffer dogs..lol
one day someone will stop me for an autograph...thatd be a nice change ..sigh...
oh the sniffer dog...that was funny..
the beaqle at hobart airport went for my bag...it was the packet of fruit flavoured mentos i had in there..makes for a good premise for a mentos ad.. LOL
in paris was accosted by flower bearing man who followed me despite me being with a male and a crowd of fellow travellers
in italy in florence was approached and cursed by a woman who had a laminated pic of a girl allegedly suffering from leukaemia...she spat at me when i shook my head but missed
i did get a cold later though lol
i was approached by drug selling dude in prague..should be flattered that he thought i was young and hip
was accosted by a gang of boys whilst trying to get through a turnstile in prague...they were walking towards us then started to jog and one put his hand out towards my big shoulder bag but my raincoat obscured his view...nonetheless it shook me up
i also get stopped by airport security ...sniffer dogs..lol
one day someone will stop me for an autograph...thatd be a nice change ..sigh...
oh the sniffer dog...that was funny..
the beaqle at hobart airport went for my bag...it was the packet of fruit flavoured mentos i had in there..makes for a good premise for a mentos ad.. LOL
Jan 4th, 2014, 05:13 AM
#52
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oh heres another potential situation
new years eve OH and i went into town...sydney...walking along george st which was closed to traffic
suddenly hear a thud/slap and groan..turn to see a young man staggering and clutching his nose ...stumbling round and then collapsing near the street light he ran into
immediately im thinking of rendering first aid..the guy is now lying on his back still clutching his nose..and rolling in agony moaning\
suddenly he starts to jerk and lies still legs akimbo
a small crowd begins to converge..noones getting close
another young man sprints over and grabs the prone form and starts to drag him to his feet ..much to my horror
it is all a prank...the young man who supposedly ran into the pole obviously slapped it hard with his hand or foot before falling down feigning injury
but i thought: clever ploy..great distraction for a team of pickpockets
another ploy...an old lady falls over your luggage at a station...you go to pick her up and someone swipes your luggage
happened to a guy who was travelling through china
new years eve OH and i went into town...sydney...walking along george st which was closed to traffic
suddenly hear a thud/slap and groan..turn to see a young man staggering and clutching his nose ...stumbling round and then collapsing near the street light he ran into
immediately im thinking of rendering first aid..the guy is now lying on his back still clutching his nose..and rolling in agony moaning\
suddenly he starts to jerk and lies still legs akimbo
a small crowd begins to converge..noones getting close
another young man sprints over and grabs the prone form and starts to drag him to his feet ..much to my horror
it is all a prank...the young man who supposedly ran into the pole obviously slapped it hard with his hand or foot before falling down feigning injury
but i thought: clever ploy..great distraction for a team of pickpockets
another ploy...an old lady falls over your luggage at a station...you go to pick her up and someone swipes your luggage
happened to a guy who was travelling through china
Jan 4th, 2014, 07:22 AM
#53
annhig - they have been a mainstay of the Paris metro system since I've been riding it - from the dark ages but have not seen them on trains - any trains even in Italy - metros yes but never trains - have you seen them on Trenitalia trains or are you talking about the metro?>>
lol, Pal, we must get on different trains! I can't remember ever seeing them on the Paris metro, and only recall seeing them on Trenitalia or the suburban lines in Rome eg going out to Ostia.
lol, Pal, we must get on different trains! I can't remember ever seeing them on the Paris metro, and only recall seeing them on Trenitalia or the suburban lines in Rome eg going out to Ostia.
Jan 4th, 2014, 07:44 AM
#54
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lanejohann, I don't want to be ugly, but I would have like to see someone with legs akimbo: Akimbo is a human body position in which the hands are on the hips and the elbows are bowed outward, or bent or bowed in a more general sense. From Wikipedia. Great mental picture!
Jan 4th, 2014, 07:56 AM
#55
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Ok, this is from the Independent, so sorry to have posted a daily mail link, it did pop up on yahoo, they do have some juicy tibets though :0
Mr Davis and Ms Sills suggested many in Romania were put off moving to the UK because of its increasingly racist rhetoric.
“Romanians notice the vitriol they hear coming out of Britain,” said Ms Sills. “What really gets on their nerves is being seen as interchangeable with gypsies. That’s why a lot of people don’t want to go to Britain, because they think it will be racist.
“That kind of attitude drives away the well-educated English-speaking Romanians. The people that come anyway will then be those who don’t speak English and don’t care. But I don’t think that many people will leave for Britain.
<Accordion players also are a plague of the Paris metro.>
We had one recently at 7:30 am. He was up and down the aisle.
Mr Davis and Ms Sills suggested many in Romania were put off moving to the UK because of its increasingly racist rhetoric.
“Romanians notice the vitriol they hear coming out of Britain,” said Ms Sills. “What really gets on their nerves is being seen as interchangeable with gypsies. That’s why a lot of people don’t want to go to Britain, because they think it will be racist.
“That kind of attitude drives away the well-educated English-speaking Romanians. The people that come anyway will then be those who don’t speak English and don’t care. But I don’t think that many people will leave for Britain.
<Accordion players also are a plague of the Paris metro.>
We had one recently at 7:30 am. He was up and down the aisle.
Jan 4th, 2014, 08:07 AM
#56
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Mr Davis and Ms Sills suggested many in Romania were put off moving to the UK because of its increasingly racist rhetoric.>
Well partly but also because the UK economy is in the dumps - plenty more opportunities to work legally or illegally in more prosperous EU countries - according to NYTimes article anyway.
Well partly but also because the UK economy is in the dumps - plenty more opportunities to work legally or illegally in more prosperous EU countries - according to NYTimes article anyway.
Jan 4th, 2014, 01:07 PM
#58
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Even though Britain IME has more than its share of racists it is relatively few - not nearly as much in the U.S. or even France IME (the xenophobic National Front was runner-up in the first round of Presidential elections not long ago - beating out the
Socialist candidate and now Madame Le Pen, titular head of the NP is running I believe at or above the current President in polls.
But to consider a racist attitude permeates the UK is IME simply false though there are probably pockets of it like everywhere.
Socialist candidate and now Madame Le Pen, titular head of the NP is running I believe at or above the current President in polls.
But to consider a racist attitude permeates the UK is IME simply false though there are probably pockets of it like everywhere.
Jan 4th, 2014, 01:20 PM
#59
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annhig on Jan 4, 14 at 12:08pm
<so now, flpab, you're not coming to london 'cos we're all racists?
heaven help us!>
Excuse me but I did not say that, it was from an article in a UK newspaper. I have been to London and will come again. Please read the whole post. I agree PalenQ, their economy is improving and they are better off staying in their own country. Many are even leaving Ireland and going back home. I just thought it interesting that they have a problem being put in the same box as gypsies. The Romanians in Key West that have been brought in to work hospitality are not gypsies but are working their butts off for small wages in horrid living arrangements. Sort of hot racking!
<so now, flpab, you're not coming to london 'cos we're all racists?
heaven help us!>
Excuse me but I did not say that, it was from an article in a UK newspaper. I have been to London and will come again. Please read the whole post. I agree PalenQ, their economy is improving and they are better off staying in their own country. Many are even leaving Ireland and going back home. I just thought it interesting that they have a problem being put in the same box as gypsies. The Romanians in Key West that have been brought in to work hospitality are not gypsies but are working their butts off for small wages in horrid living arrangements. Sort of hot racking!
Jan 4th, 2014, 01:45 PM
#60
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Havent read the whole thread but we dont get harrassed when we travel anymore. We never make eye contact, we dont accept anything anyone gives us, we walk by anyone trying to get us to sign anything, and if they are on a train and give us a sheet with something written on it we completely ignore it. We just dont engage at all. No problem what so ever!
