My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding

I wouldn't say that the 'Gypsy/Traveller's' culture was a part of my culture but i really fancied watching 'My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding' on Channel 4 this week just to gain a bit of an insight. By the looks of things i wasn't the only one as 4.5million people watched the programme.

I have to say my eyes have been well and truly opened to aspects of the Gypsy/Traveller's culture and to be completely honest, i think we could all take notes form them: the children don't drink, smoke or do drugs and they do not have sex before marriage. These rules are actually stuck to, which really surprises me.

There may be aspects of their culture that i find wierd such as the young ages at which they marry, but it seems to work for them and as divorce is not accepted in their culture; the couples have to work at their marriages and aren't able to take the easy way other through divorce; like people who i'd associate with my culture do.

The only thing i can't quite put my finger on and fully except is the style of clothing the young girls wore and the reason's behind it. I know certain meet-ups were used for the girls to find suitors; but i suppose that not to dress in very little is something so heavily embedded in my family culture; that i will find it hard to accept.

However, i do feel like i'm starting to realise what culture is and how accepting other cultures and embracing aspects of other people's cultures may improve my own.