What is a gypsy?

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romani_people

Gypsy refers to nomadic groups of people, and is also often used as an unpreferred term for the Roma ethnic group, like "Negro" is to "black people". The reason why it is used in a derogatory way is because they are very targeted in Europe since they are often associated with crime and poverty.

Romani travellers, although the term is sometimes used to refer to all travellers.

The son of a bitches that tried to steal my horse >:|...Tried.

A widely despised ethnic group, commonly found across Europe, thought to have their roots in India.

Scam artist/free loader.

on this site? it means a mystical sailor

A bum.

The word gypsy is a racist way of addressing them. The non racism way is Roma. Most Roma men have jobs but the woman are stuck at home cleaning and watching the kids. The traditions are what confuse people into thinking Romas are bad people. For example the "Grabbing" is when guys act scary and the girl plays along. He intimidates her until she gives in a kiss, but if she refuses(which is perfectly fine) then he looks for other girls to make his girlfriend. During the "Grabbing" the girl pretends to act scared and screams but she's not in any real danger. Other traditions where banned due to racist governments horse racings in public is one of them. The woman dress like to show a lot of skin but they still respect their bodies(no public nudity). A stripper Roma woman would be left out of the group and ignored because its disrespectfully to her body. Prostitution as well. In many relationships world wide their may be abusive. Roma's have much more problems due to racist governments. Roma's are just normal people with culture.

Bums are gypsies from what I've seen. There are some more polite than others but most I've seen/heard of were really obnoxious in your face white trash people. Not trying to stereotype but that's just what I've seen. They usually have these vans that are all decked out with rhinestones or painted with prints/carpet inside. It's intense.

I was pick pocketed by a gypsy at the Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise, FL.
:-(

It's hard to say, I don't think most people have a clear idea of who they really are. It's Brad Pitt from the movie Snatch. Or Eddie Izzard in The Riches. I think most people view them negatively. Which is a shame because they are just people with a bad reputation. Perhaps it is deserved. Or perhaps they are misunderstood and people tend to hate what they don't understand.

Being a gypsy is a way of life that is deeply rooted in their sense of place. And that place is about wandering. This is probably a complicated concept for most.

Roma.

Mythological creatures who steal your pixie dust, and butterfly crumpets. Although whimsical they are quite cynical.

I will refrain from repeating much of the others. This is briefly what I have learned both the general and from those I am close to whom have relations- to the ones of the last century, not the todays youth.

In modern day the term 'gypsy' is renown in a negatively light and are associated as being thieves and crafty ones at that. By trade they are entertainers, fortunetelling being one of their known popular attractions of all time. The gypsies will, essentially, perform a variety of roles or odd jobs as they go about their way travelling. They become jack of all trades, really. How could they afford not to be?

They live, or the majority use to, with a strict set of code/ belief/ values of their own. They have this philosophy behind owning accessories and other luxurious things to be kept at a bare minimum. An example being makeup on a woman or there lack of. There is little care for riches if any at all. Another rule is not to tell outsiders of their ways. I have seen little to no evidence that they have broken that rule. Or rather evidence to support that they have. But that does not and has not stopped anyone from their stereotyping nor understanding. More over it is often only the behavior of few(er).

Once on television I saw a program of supposed gypsies with fanciful clothing and makeup... I do not at all know where they were picked up at but those people were not authentic and their ways would without doubt be considered offensive. Just living, walking stereotypes. Concerning the thievery I will not say any one group of travelers do or have not stolen goods, only that it is not true of the lot of them.

It is a part of their culture to keep it (the culture) to themselves, there are modest, crafty and they are a proud people.

like a travelling squatter with the thieving skills of a ninja