Travellers are a tribe with exceptional privileges. They’re routinely forgiven for breaking rules, speaking weirdly and wearing unacceptably little clothing. Even when the rest of us might be penalised for similar actions, travellers get away with them because of their social status as a subculture that is simultaneously feared and fetishised by wider society. In some cases, this special treatment comes from travellers acknowledging their unique position as societal outsiders who enjoy weird privileges and benefits as a result of this outsider-status. However, in other instances travellers have adopted these practices as habits without questioning why they are granted these liberties.
Travellers as a feared subculture
Travellers are a feared subculture, and this is both the source of and an explanation for their special treatment. For example, it’s a common misconception that travellers in the UK who live in caravans are all Romani people, but this has led to widespread discrimination and hostility against all travellers. This is why travellers are so reluctant to disclose their ethnicity. Travellers’ unusual habits, dress and language is often assumed to be a symptom of mental illness, due to their heavy representation within institutionalised care. This fear also makes it difficult for travellers to access support, such as finding work. They can be shunned or blacklisted by employers who fear they’re hiring a potentially violent or unstable person.
The “welcome” response to travellers
The “welcome” response to travellers is a phenomenon in which people are unusually welcoming to travellers, as if they’re expected to be shunned or feared. This may be an unconscious response to travellers being feared, either actively or subconsciously, meaning most people don’t even realise they’re doing it. The most common example is when people offer travellers a place to stay even though they don’t know them or have any reason to expect them to stay. This phenomenon is likely to do with the fact that travellers are often assumed to be poor, meaning hosts might want to offer them a place to stay for financial reasons. Alternatively, this may simply be a way to make up for society’s hostility toward travellers, an act of kindness toward a group that’s feared.
Travellers are excused for respecting their own culture
It’s common for travellers to be excused for respecting their own culture, even if it’s not a culture that’s respected by the wider society. For example, travellers frequently wear heavy, dark clothing during cold weather, even in the middle of summer, even though most of us are expected to wear lighter clothing at this time of year. However, travellers wear heavy clothing all year round, which is excused due to the fact that they’re following their own cultural rules regarding clothing. Similarly, travellers often sit on the floor, even in restaurants and cafes, despite chairs being provided. This is also excused due to the travellers’ desire to maintain a certain appearance.
Travellers are given a free pass for breaking the law
Travellers are given a free pass for breaking the law, even when others would be penalised for the same action. For example, travellers often park on pavements or in disabled spots, which would be illegal for everyone else. However, this is excused because it’s seen as a “cultural thing,” even though it really isn’t. This is probably because it’s seen as respectful toward travellers, as if they’re expected to be penalised for it. However, it’s also probably because of the romanticisation of travellers and the “anything goes” approach toward them.
Travellers get away with wearing whatever they want
Travellers frequently wear clothes that are unusually skimpy, even in public, even though most of us are expected to wear more covering outfits. As with the two examples above, this is excused because travellers are following their own social rules. However, it’s also probably due to the romanticisation of travellers and the “anything goes” approach toward them. This is probably a combination of the two, with the “welcome” response also playing a role. People are more likely to excuse travellers for wearing unusual clothing if they’re welcoming toward them.
Travellers are excused for speaking weirdly
Travellers frequently speak in a strange, often ungrammatical way. However, this is excused because it’s assumed to be a feature of the travellers’ language and culture. This is probably because travellers are regularly given a free pass for breaking the rules, and this extends to their speech patterns. Again, this is probably due to the “welcome” response and the “anything goes” approach toward travellers.
The takeaway
Travellers are a feared subculture, and this is both the source of and an explanation for their special treatment. It’s common for travellers to be excused for following their own rules, even when those rules wouldn’t be excused for others. This is likely a result of the “welcome” response to travellers, the “anything goes” approach toward them and the romanticisation of travellers.
