Meat Pie said:
They way some people talk about Travellers on here is as if they aren't even human beings and universally 'chaos' causers. I find that very concerning to say the least.
It's one thing to recognise a negative behavioural trend in a section of society, study it's origin and come up with approaches to work towards a harmonious solution. It's quite another to avoid people from these cultures and make broad generalising statements, which perpetuates the problem of people acting the way that their country's culture and media tells them that they do. If people went round acting as though I was some kind of barbarian when they don't even know me, I would probably get sick of society refusing to respect me, no matter how I behaved, so I might as well start behaving like a barbarian.
I've heard homophobes use pretty much the same language used in this topic about gay pride marches 'causing chaos' and was as disgusted with the insinuation with that as I am with this. It seems that the Traveller is the acceptable minority to bully.
They do cause chaos - its a
FACT. Alton Towers is not a pleasant place to go when the travellers are having their weekends up there - Alton know this given the bad reviews on TripAdvisor from families who have had their weekends wrecked by abusive behaviour, physical attacks, noise in the hotels, queue jumping, underage drinking, threats, need I go on? I've been there on several occasions when its been traveller weekends and its not a pleasant atmosphere.
Alton have to spend a lot of money for extra security including metal detectors at the entrances. Do you want to therefore, suggest Alton are being bullies for stereotyping these people in this way. What a stupid thing to say - if they KNOW the travellers cause chaos when they go to the park they will address it in the same way that if police know a certain type of person is going to commit a crime they will be more prone to stopping and searching them. Nothing wrong with identifying a group of people if it is proved they are troublemakers and this can be addressed.
If they want to go to Alton, that's their choice - as it is my choice to not want to go to Alton the same time as them, especially when I'm spending just under £400 to stay in the hotel and don't want my entire weekend spoilt by these disrespectful people who like to run amok and think they are the only ones there.
Broad generalising statement? No, its just general knowledge - well proven general knowledge - just ask anyone who works at Alton Towers and has had to put up with traveller behaviour.