Wedding in Great Britain. questions!!

[Bruno28]

I think it's the difference between 'being' something and 'choosing' something. You have to accept people's ethnicity, sexual orientation etc. You don't have to like their politics.

I'm Scottish. I like men in skirts - as long as they are tartan.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

And what is not judgmental about a blanket statement of distaste for an entire ethnic/cultural group, the gypsies?
Whether you agree with snap's statement or not, martin's statement is pejorative about ALL gypsies including those he/she has not seen or met, and therefore condemns all in her/his eyes. Snap's comment, and the other posters' I might add, were only about specific people based on their perceptions of those individuals from photos, people who are dressed for a wedding in a western culture for a wedding at a western church. Sorry, but martin's statement is downright nasty criticizing an entire culture based on their heritage, not on their individual merits.
I'm very disappointed that you people don't seem to get the discriminatory nature of his/her remark.

I think there are judgemental elements in BOTH statements.
I was responding to one point that I felt was interesting.
For any of us to claim we are not being judgemental is naive. We are all judgemental to some extent or another. We all have prejudices. As humans, we each naturally judge others based on our own learned perceptions, experiences, and learned values. What we do with those judgements/prejudices is something else again.

I have my own perceptions of 'gypsies'/'travelers' based on my personal upbringing and learned information (whether false or true). I happen to think those dresses are trashy looking, but I also realize that their culture is very different from mine and that they likely feel their dresses are classy and attractive. So what? Everyone's different. You won't find anything in this world that everyone approves of.
I'm not disappointed in 'you people' concerning the discussion here- I think it's fascinating and makes us all really think about how we see others. That's healthy.

[snapdragen]

I'm very disappointed that you people don't seem to get the discriminatory nature of his/her remark.

And this surprises you how?

//I'm outta here

[Biciclista]

If you go to the link that Bruno so kindly shared with us at nearly the beginning of this thread you can download a very informative tome that kind of indicates what it's like to be a "traveller" in Great Britain. They aren't all Roms (who don't speak English as their first language) there are some who apparently are just as british (or Scottish) as everyone else.
They are harassed and discriminated against all over (the world) different parts of Great Britain have slightly different attitudes towards them, in some places they are chased out of town immediately, in others, they are permitted to stay on private property designated for them. There are all kinds of social services apparently ready to help with their children's health and education. It's the same old story; they're different, so they are hated.
When I saw the article that started this thread, I had no idea that they were anything except normal people from great britain, because the code words "Caravan" and "Traveller" do not have the same significance for me, a citizen of the US of A.
I thank everyone for adding to my education. I still think the mother of the bride is inappropriate. but that's my opinion. (Looks like the mother of the groom agrees with me!!)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Interesting, Mimi.
I knew what "Travelers" were/are because of my interest in music.
Margaret Barry (born 1917) was an Irish 'Traveler' (also known as a "Tinker") who was one of the great traveling balladeers of her time. She was tall and imposing and had a powerful soulful voice. She often accompanied herself on her banjo, going from town to town with her husband and singing for a living in taverns and sometimes in homes for private parties. I had often listened to recordings of her ballad singing and banjo playing. Very haunting and beautiful.
Margaret Barry (click on the 'biography' tab) Anyone who loves traditional Irish singing would do well to get a cd of her work.
Bicycle content:
Folklorist Alan Lomax promoted Ms. Barry for a time, and in one of his early interviews with her he noted that her old battered banjo had very rusty strings on it. He speculated that it must be hard to obtain banjo strings in rural Ireland, and asked her how she obtained new strings when her old ones broke. She answered: "Bicycle cables."

[Biciclista]

He speculated that it must be hard to obtain banjo strings in rural Ireland, and asked her how she obtained new strings when her old ones broke. She answered: "Bicycle cables."

wow!

[ClockworkOrange]

I would give my personal view but that might invite a lot of criticism, so, for those that are interested, check out this link, it relates to the county that I live in the UK, then you will get the gist of how most people feel about travellers.

http://www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp?articleid=2572

Then for more of a chuckle, check this link out for yet more photos: http://tackyweddings.com/2008/10/30/...st-dress-ever/

Like any other minority, there are good and bad. Where I work I have come across a lot of youngsters whose background has been a 'traveller'. Most of them are extremely clean and tidy, perhaps this comes from living in such a small area. I have also realised how very close they are, any trouble and all the family appears from nowhere!

Some children in this situation have a home tutor, generally the local council pay for this.

These days big white weddings really are not so common, most youngsters would sooner put the money towards a deposit on a house or flat.

Finally, as for the Mother wearing a bra to the wedding.......nope, cannot answer that one.

Interesting thread Mimi.

Clock

[Biciclista]

cool website Clock, I love the way "officials" answer questions, surprisingly less dry in aspect than similar stuff here.

wow, learning so much. Never knew what "fly-tipping" was before, and i never heard of a CHAV before either!!

[ClockworkOrange]

wow, learning so much. Never knew what "fly-tipping" was before, and i never heard of a CHAV before either!!

This 'Chav Nativity' really does sum up the description of a 'chav' The word has not been around that long, a couple of years maybe. I work with 16-24 year olds that are homeless and even some of those ridicule the chavs. However, the youngsters that do dress and act that way, are quite proud of it but are very involved in anti-social behaviour. On a 1-1 are no different to any other kid, just out to enjoy life and not worry about tomorrow or much else!

Hope this amuses you..........innit!

Clock