What race/ethnicity do you prefer to date? If you have any!!! Everyone has their own preference.

@BlueMetalChick Always so honest

@marsbar In all seriousness, Jews have shown me some of the most hospitality, and I really appreciate that. When I was making my way through western Europe, a lot of people wanted nothing to do with me because they assumed I was looking to steal from them or harm them in some way, but three different times - twice in Italy and once in France - I was given a room to stay in overnight and food to eat from Jewish families. I was very grateful.

@BlueMetalChick Our experiences shape our perspective of the world & the people in them. That was extremely compassionate of them. I'm glad they looked out for you during your difficult times. :)

@BlueMetalChick it was a time when gypsies would kidnap children , modern day ones are fine

@NervousInCrowds The problems between Gypsies and Europeans all came because of the lack of concept of owning land. And that was in the seventh century.

@BlueMetalChick

I'll presume from the conversation here, that you are a Gypsy, BlueMetalChick.

If this is true, then how would you describe yourself as a Gypsy?

@swirlie Describe myself? Well it's an ethnicity, so I would say I'm ethnically Romani, which means I'm originally Asian but I identify more with Slavic Europe, particularly Serbia because that's where my parents were from.

@BlueMetalChick

OK, so being a Gypsy is centered around ethnicity as you have described. Assuming you are living in the USA, do you dress differently than most, or are you pretty much main-stream?

I have a pre-conceived image in my mind of what a Gypsy might typically look like and I have a feeling that we are not on the same page with my perception of Gypsies.

@swirlie I live in Chicago right now and I dress pretty typical for an urban 20-something female. But when I lived in Europe I did dress differently, I wore a lot of beaded jewelry, necklaces, bracelets, rings, anklets, toe rings, etc. and I often wore headscarves or felt hats with ribbons tied around them, I often didn't wear shoes and would walk around barefoot, and I used to tie coins into the tassels of my skirt.

@BlueMetalChick

OH Shit! I think I'm a Gypsy then! Seriously! I think that's good!

@swirlie Well maybe not ethnically unless you're actually Romani, but you might certainly have a flair for the style of dress lol

@BlueMetalChick

True, I'm not actually Romani... but the dress style seems to come naturally for me. My background is a Scandinavian mix.

Do most people whom are Romani consider themselves to be Gypsies, or is being self-classified as Gypsy more of a personal assessment of oneself?

@swirlie Since we don't have a home country, and we're very far removed from our roots, Romani people usually insert their nationality plus the word "Gypsy" so like "Romanian Gypsy" or "French Gypsy" and so on.

@BlueMetalChick

OH, I get it.. I see what you mean now. Makes perfect sense. I have never heard the term 'Gypsy' put in that context before, but I think that is the most accurate way to describe one's displaced cultural as well as nationalistic roots if I may use that analogy.

Thanks for sharing that perspective of your life with me! I find that aspect of your cultural background most intriguing to learn about! Very cool!