Replies

Well, isn't antisemitism back in style?

I am honestly not antagonistic. I find the Rom interesting. They are uniquely a Cryptic Culture. But I know enough about them to find your political correctness naive. Jews do not have at the heart of their culture a tradition of swindling, whatever the stereotypes.

Yes, I was testing you about the cats. They are filthy to to Rom. As a matter of fact, they would use the image of a cat as a Patteran (graphic image carved or drawn to alert oncoming "hoboes" as to what to expect on the road ahead. I saw this once in a catalog, and the writers of the catalog interpreted the image of a cat to mean "nice lady who'll offer you food." Had to laugh. It could well be that that is what some Gyspy told whoever wrote the copy for the catalog.

Any dealings with Gypsies should be approached with caution, however.

There are stories in the south of itinerant house painters who would go to all the trouble to paint a house, but always switch out the paint for something watered down and inferior. They would work hard and go to elaborate lengths just to cheat for a small amount of money.

Well, isn't antisemitism back in style? I am honestly not antagonistic. I find the Rom interesting. They are uniquely a Cryptic Culture. But I know enough about them to find your political correctness naive. Jews do not have at the heart of their culture a tradition of swindling, whatever the stereotypes.

Romnia are experiencing 70%, 80%, and even 90% unemployment in areas that otherwise have rates of 7-8%. Who wouldn't resort to theft under those conditions? They are denied housing - they are denied medical care. Who wouldn't be bitter and distrustful of outsiders under those conditions? It's not that I'm trying to be PC - its that they are in very real danger of pogroms and massacres again.

Yes, I was testing you about the cats. They are filthy to to Rom. As a matter of fact, they would use the image of a cat as a Patteran (graphic image carved or drawn to alert oncoming "hoboes" as to what to expect on the road ahead. I saw this once in a catalog, and the writers of the catalog interpreted the image of a cat to mean "nice lady who'll offer you food." Had to laugh. It could well be that that is what some Gyspy told whoever wrote the copy for the catalog.

It could also be that the person was confusing it with North American hobo code. I think they use many similar marks but they also have different meanings for some of the same marks. American hobos weren't organized around ethnicity so cultural marks like cats being unclean could drift away over time.