Just Had A Horrible Experience...

[Smowball]

Walked up to our nearest shops to get a few things. I was in the last shop and was only one in there, when this gang of boys came in and started running round causing chaos, grabbing things off shelves etc, laughing and finding whole thing hilarious. One assistant managed to shoo them out and when I got to till the quiet shopkeeper said they were local travellers and they are constantly running in and nicking things when it’s quiet. So anyway I get outside and they are about 50 metres ahead doing exactly the same thing to another shop. Feeling wary I held back but at some point I had to move and even tho they were doing this act along the whole street I ended up level with them. Somehow the tallest one recognised me and said you were in the top shop weren’t you! Yes I said, I saw you. And with that he ordered this Alsatian who had suddenly appeared with them to attack me. The dog leaps for me barking and snarling , all the time the boys were in hysterics. Thank god the dog didn’t go any further but it absolutely terrified me, and with that they all ran off , with the dog. Very shook up I walked home which is where I am now.
What the hell is wrong with some kids!??

[Peter Pedant]

I am sorry this happened
yes I agree - the older you get the more - what the hell do I do?

[lady-janine]

diddy coys. Have very little or no respect for anyone. Think they are immune and above the law.

[Smowball]

I stood my ground for a sec and said do you actually think you’re funny? And the eldest one said yeh I’m hilarious!! Idiot.

[Mamyalynne]

Scary, obviously out of control - bet you were shaken.

[Jackdaw33]

The Viz had it right back in the 80s, when they started a comic strip entitled 'The Thieving Gipsy Bazdads'. They were ordered to drop it on pain of prosecution. No prosecution of the people depicted, though.

[DTCwordfan]

I'd call your local police - and also point out what was happening in the shops....

[chrissa1]

How awful for you Smow. :(

[andy-hughes]

I always feel that the behaviour of travelers is a Catch-22 situation - they feel that are outsiders, unwanted and unloved by mainstream society, and as a result, they behave in a manner that ensures they will remain unwanted and unloved, and the situation perpetuates itself.

There is always a strong feeling of community in traveler groups, and they resent outsiders, regarding themselves as a separate enclave with no responsibility towards other people.

This attitude is then passed on to their children, who adopt a similar attitude to people who are not part of their social group, they display aggressive and disrespectful behaviour, as you have experienced, because that underlines their alienation and increases their bond with each other. Add in the normal attitudes of adolescents, and their approach becomes magnified, again as you have sadly experienced.

Education would be the answer, but that is unlikely. given the inherent distrust of travellers for the community at large, so they remain a challenge to the rest of us, and perversely proud to be so.

[Smowball]

The insults I could cope with - how I looked, everything about me, but the massive dog, who wasn’t on a lead and just running riot........

[Bobbisox1]

That's in itself an offence if they're setting a dog on people, ring the police

[Dagman]

Morons, I'm sure they'll have successful lives...not!

[Nieve]

I agree, phone the ole bill. If they do this on a regular basis, there must be cctv to identify the little ***.

[Smowball]

Ok I’ll ring them x

[Theland]

The wonders of a diverse society enrich us all!

[DTCwordfan]

Well done smow....what would you feel if you didn't take action and they go a step too far next time.... so given the sequence of events you describe, the boys and girls in blue should take this seriously.

[Theland]

Diversity Inclusiveness Equality.
Yup! That's the way to go!

[ToraToraTora]

interesting article here:
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/50-of-travellers-die-before-39-study-1.808703

[davebro]

If only they would die before they breed!