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Romanians are Smart or How to Change the Google Autocomplete Suggestions

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Re: Romanians are Smart or How to Change the Google Autocomplete Suggestions

#61
post #30
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The problem with Romanians (imo) is low self esteem and negative self image. Like you said, after many years of psychological abuse it's hardly any surprise. If they could only see their potential ... unfortunately, most times you have to be unplugged from negativity to see the positives.

> The problem with Romanians (imo) is low self esteem and negative self image Hmm interesting. I always thought them to be smart and persistent, rather than having "low self esteem". Romanian programmers are one of the best out there. But they also create some of the worst viruses as well. Maybe years of being bullied and managed by everyone creates a distrust of any laws or authority. But I still don't see the negat…

My comment was about the population in general. They focus on the negatives (perceived poverty, perceived lack of culture, perceived mediocrity, etc) while ignoring the positives. Similar to how an above-average looking girl beats herself down because her nose is not perfect, or something else trivial, while ignoring and downplaying anything nice or even extraordinary she may have. Programmers, working usually in a global market, are more aware of their standing, and hence have a better self image.

Re: Romanians are Smart or How to Change the Google Autocomplete Suggestions

#62
post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd say that in my experience, the Roma don't beg and steal particularly worse than any other marginalised or impoverished group. There may be a culture of theft among some of the poorer groups, but that is hardly unique, a culture of theft is extremely common in a lot of widely varied communities around the world, from energy companies to impoverished slums.

My experience contradicts with yours. First of all I'm not trying to paint all gypsies with the same brush. I actually know a couple that are very educated, very honest and very hard-working human beings. But within all the "Roma" minorities, there are sub-groups and not all of them are created equal. In general in Romania there are many gypsies that are definitely not marginalized and impoverished. Some of their cul…

My experience is it varies site by site, family by family and individual by individual. Stereotypyes can fit cultures but they become fairly destructive (and sometimes even self-fulfilling) when you start applying them to individuals or treating them as rules.

I know quite a few travellers, roma and irish gypsies and the one thing I do know is all three groups are tight and fairly insular, especially from each other. And like any tight groups they are very good at reflecting the attitudes they percieve to be directed towards them.

For the record, I am not from any of these groups and have had relatively few problems with them, when compared to other groups I have interacted with. Drunk anglo-saxon football fans, for instance.

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