There have been a few front page posts about "gypsies" (I use quotes because I don't really know what this term mean) and they have elicited many anecdotes about bad experiences with "travelers" and people whom I imagine are Roma around Europe.

I have a vague idea about how Roma have been mistreated in France and around Europe since World War II, but I am thin on details and don't know if my impression is close to reality.

Maybe someone could give a bit of background on this situation and important things to know before we declare these people amoral con artists by nature. Unless they are, and I will accept that.