Irish Traveler Culture????

[portseven]

Wen't out for a meal yesterday with wife and kids for mothers day

On the tables near us there were what is seemed several families, must admit they did look quite 'rough' but thought nothing of it.

As time went on and their food came, I noticed all of them (even the kids) kept calling over the waiting staff, and pointing at the food (although they carried on tucking in),food was taken away and brought back, so they were complaining about the food.

As more and more staff got involved, some of the men of the group were going face to face with the managers. Eventually being escorted off the premises, driving off in a bunch of rather decent looking motors.

When they left, a few of us were asking the staff what was going on. Seems they were 'Irish Travelers' and they were refusing to pay for food, and this is a common thing. They come in order food, eat about 1/3 and they refuse to pay, complaining it's cold or not cooked right. Sometimes they physically abuse the staff.

The Irish Travelers moan about their 'culture' being given a hard time, but f**k me if this is how they behave their 'culture' is wrong!

[MyUserName]

A friend works on the military surplus markets and he mentioned that some of the markets are popular with 'travellers'. When he first started working there he was confused at how many of them were carrying planks of wood and asked his manager. Apparently they love tap dancing and would randomly throw the planks down and start dancing on them, other guys would come over and add their planks and dance with them. It was absolutely bizarre.

They did it once and blocked his stall so he asked the manager if he should tell them to move, the manager replied that that would be a VERY bad idea as the only thing they love more than tap dancing was bare knuckle boxing.

I would love to have been there, it sounds seriously weird.

[Sausage Surprise]

Always remember the Viz cartoon "The Thieving ...... ...... "

Later followed up (as a form of an apology) with "Those lovely Romany People"..

[Sysman]

When they left, a few of us were asking the staff what was going on. Seems they were 'Irish Travelers' and they were refusing to pay for food, and this is a common thing. They come in order food, eat about 1/3 and they refuse to pay, complaining it's cold or not cooked right.

I saw a yuppie foursome do that in an Indian restaurant in London once.

They had ordered a whole pile of dishes so probably had consumed a decent amount apiece.

[deanosity]

Wen't out for a meal yesterday with wife and kids for mothers day

On the tables near us there were what is seemed several families, must admit they did look quite 'rough' but thought nothing of it.

As time went on and their food came, I noticed all of them (even the kids) kept calling over the waiting staff, and pointing at the food (although they carried on tucking in),food was taken away and brought back, so they were complaining about the food.

As more and more staff got involved, some of the men of the group were going face to face with the managers. Eventually being escorted off the premises, driving off in a bunch of rather decent looking motors.

When they left, a few of us were asking the staff what was going on. Seems they were 'Irish Travelers' and they were refusing to pay for food, and this is a common thing. They come in order food, eat about 1/3 and they refuse to pay, complaining it's cold or not cooked right. Sometimes they physically abuse the staff.

The Irish Travelers moan about their 'culture' being given a hard time, but f**k me if this is how they behave their 'culture' is wrong!

From my experience of working in a restaurant kitchen, this is not unheard of.
The other thing to note is that they often would have difficulty with reading the menu and would just ask for steak.

Also when they would stay in the hotel, they would have a habit of spitting on there hands before opening doors and generally leaving there rooms in quite a state, often with lots of discarded price tags of newly acquired clothes.

It's hard not to be prejudiced towards them after dealing with them, I wonder if they behave they way they do because we expect them to be scum; Or if it because they are scum to begin with.

[DodgyAgent]

I saw a yuppie foursome do that in an Indian restaurant in London once.

They had ordered a whole pile of dishes so probably had consumed a decent amount apiece.

I took my staff out for a treat

[EternalOptimist]

I took my staff out for a treat

he said yuppy, not guppy

[Sysman]

I took my staff out for a treat

Bloddy typical.

[original PM]

they are just pikey scum

[petergriffin]

Having travelled and lived in the continent, it is the norm there for the host to refuse serving scruffy or questionable guests. Recently in Austria an Italian restaurant (but run by Middle Easterns) refused to serve a couple because they were making out in public. They complained to the authorities and they were told that the host has the right to remove clients if he/she thinks are not suitable to the establishment.

I am not sure what the English law is about this matter but this should be the attitude. And it's not about racism, it's about preserving your business.