My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding

[DownFanatic]

Anyone watching this? A very interesting insight into the Travelling Community. Shows them in a very good light.

[comethekingdom]

channell?

[Puckoon]

channell?

That was one of the bridesmaids - yes.

[DownFanatic]

Channel 4

[comethekingdom]

channell?

That was one of the bridesmaids - yes.

Chanel ?

[tyrone exile]

was on channel 4 over now

[Puckoon]

channell?

That was one of the bridesmaids - yes.

Chanel ?

You know how people are these days, always trying to be different.

Cheers,
Collinn.

[DownFanatic]

From Channel 4 website:

Gypsies or Gypos, Pavees or Pikeys. But do you know which of these words are insults? Or how Travellers refer to each other amongst themselves?

They have ways that 'settled people' struggle to understand and traditions that still hold as strong today as they did a hundred years ago. Here are a few things you might not know about these pavee people...

Travellers are a group of people who are, or were once, nomadic. Gypsies are similar because of their lifestyle, but they're usually of Romani origin whilst most Travellers are Irish or English.

Travellers didn't mind being called gypsies until the word 'gypo' became a common insult. You're not being politically correct by calling Travellers 'itinerants'; this is a name they despise. They were originally referred to as 'tinkers' because many were skilled tinsmiths; mending the pots, pans and tools of local people as they moved from place to place – however with the influx of plastic and machinery this trade quickly became redundant. They'll call each other 'pavees' amongst themselves but it wouldn't be appreciated if a 'settled person' (someone who has always lived in a house) called them that! So call a Traveller a Traveller.

Origins

The largest groups of Travellers live in Great Britain and Ireland. There is much debate about their origin, some say they came from families who were evicted during famine times in Ireland – with no fixed home they moved from place to place. Other historians claim Travellers were around long before that. Travellers have great pride in their history and culture.

'Settled' Travellers

To be called a Traveller doesn't necessarily mean you move from place to place, in fact most have settled down, hence the term 'settled Traveller'. But some Travellers resent being called 'settled'. They say if you're born a Traveller, that's who you are for life, regardless of whether you live in a caravan or a house. Others shy away from even being identified as a Traveller because of the negative connotations that go with it.

Faith and Beliefs

Mainly they have strong Catholic values with a somewhat conservative view of the world. They're faithful to their own traditions and customs with religion playing a very important part life.

Homosexuality is greatly frowned upon. Honour means a great deal in this community, particularly when it comes to sex outside marriage. A Traveller man will expect his wife to be a virgin when they get married. A woman who has lost her virginity won't have an easy job finding a husband in the Traveller community. That's why young Traveller girls have such a strict upbringing, being closely watched by their families, never left alone with another man to make sure their honour is never called into question.

Looking for a Husband

Most people are familiar with the very distinct fashion of a young Traveller girl; fake tan, hooped earrings, short skirts and belly tops adorn many a Traveller teenager. Some may say their dress is provocative but it's very much a case of 'look but don't touch'. These ladies are proud of their bodies and comfortable in themselves and see no reason to stay covered up, they're looking out for a husband and want to look their best. However many will admit that they marry as teenagers to get more freedom, desperate to move out of the family home and escape the strict influence of their parents.

Arranged marriages are less frequent now but not unheard of, there are still a few matchmakers within the community. Many Travellers have married their first cousins but that's not common practise any more. Large families are still very much the norm, with some couples having over 10 children!

Reputation

The Traveller trouble makers have made the headlines, leaving other decent people to suffer with an unjustified negative reputation.

This is a proud community with great loyalty to their own families and people. Once a very insular community, but as this documentary demonstrates, some Travellers are now ready to open up and speak for themselves.

[Santino]

I thought that girl Joan near the end was smokin hot!
Might take myself off to Appleby for the horse festival this June!

[fitzroyalty]

Certainly changed my perspective on the lady travellers! Would there be much difference between travellers across the water and the ones here, for a start the ones over there all seem to be minted!

[randomtask]

insightful show. very respectful people, the young women have it hard never aloud to do their own thing unless its shopping

[fitzroyalty]

Certainly changed my perspective on the lady travellers! Would there be much difference between travellers across the water and the ones here, for a start the ones over there all seem to be minted!

They are all feckin minted!

I see they have wrecked the houses they had built for them in West Belfast after living in them for a couple of years. Took the manhole covers and all.
This is the 3rd time they have done this.

They f**k the system in almost every possible way - so fair play 

[Rav67]

Interesting programme, demonstrating examples of the incredible prejudice shown against the community in Britain, and we know it's no different in Ireland of course.  It seems to be one of those 'acceptable' bigotries to still have.  The English-born traveller wemen all seem hot by the looks of that programme!

[NAG1]

Whats not to be bigotted about these people?

They are a blight on the landscape where ever they go!
We are paying for their lay about theiving life style dont forget that.

We pay them benefits, we try to build houses (or even areas of cleared land) for them which they repeatedly destroy and theive from.

We pay for an education better than our own kids will recieve in terms of Teacher to Pupil numbers (if you dont believe me check out the school on barrack st in the city)

Its time to stop romanticising these people and does no one see anything wrong with the fact that these kids are getting engaged at 14 and married at 15 16?

[never kickt a ball]

Whats not to be bigotted about these people?

They are a blight on the landscape where ever they go!
We are paying for their lay about theiving life style dont forget that.

We pay them benefits, we try to build houses (or even areas of cleared land) for them which they repeatedly destroy and theive from.

We pay for an education better than our own kids will recieve in terms of Teacher to Pupil numbers (if you dont believe me check out the school on barrack st in the city)

Its time to stop romanticising these people and does no one see anything wrong with the fact that these kids are getting engaged at 14 and married at 15 16?

Knew it wouldn't be long...  And some people think the Irish are nothing but thick, stupid, drunken Paddies.........