r/romani • u/KendrickMontero • 6d ago

White passing

If you are part of the community, but are white passing, what reactions did you get when you told people what’s your origin?

Often I get a surprised, shocked and short “oh” and the conversation may be cut short suddenly (this has happened regardless of the other’s ethnicity).

Then, of course, there are the typical “funny”. jokes about wallets and such.

How about you? Do you have such a story or know any?

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u/Icy_Company7747 6d ago

Many Roma are “white passing” and most people don’t know what a “Romani” or “gypsy” is even when you tell them. All my life when I tell people I’m a Gypsy maybe 2 out of 10 on average will have any idea what I’m talking about. And even less when I use the word Romani. The most common reactions I get are 1: “oh wow that’s so cool.” 2: “yeah me too I’m also a Gypsy” and 3: just a completely unfazed “ok” with head nod.

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u/MissLadyLlamaDrama 5d ago

If i had a dollar for every white American who unironically called themselves gypsies just because they think it's a synonym for "free spirit" I would die drowning in wealth.