Anyone been to San Francisco lately? The "traveler" population is out of control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do they afford the tattoos?

I have witnessed them self-administer tattoos. Or they tattoo each other. At one time, there was a way to use to the motor from an 8-track tape player to make your own home made gun for tattoos. Any kind of ink is used (some more toxic than others).

Even in prison, people tattoo each other; that method I think involves a sewing needle, a part of a ball point pen, thread, and black shoe polish.

When you have the will and unlimited time to waste, many things are possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do they afford the tattoos?

I have witnessed them self-administer tattoos. Or they tattoo each other. At one time, there was a way to use to the motor from an 8-track tape player to make your own home made gun for tattoos. Any kind of ink is used (some more toxic than others).

Even in prison, people tattoo each other; that method I think involves a sewing needle, a part of a ball point pen, thread, and black shoe polish.

When you have the will and unlimited time to waste, many things are possible.

It also seems to be a cooperative and gifting culture, sort of a spin off from burning man, so someone who tattoos might do one in trade or as a gift to someone for a milestone etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Travelers are gypsies. We're these people gypsies? Or were they just middle class white homeless kids?

"Travelers" is a British euphemism for what we Americans called "crusties." And yes, the term is a spin-off from the New Age and Roma Travelers that live in the UK and Ireland.

Obviously, the name Crustie is derogatory so it's no surprise that they self-identify as "travelers."

And no, I'd venture to say that most of the Crusties are NOT middle class white kids. Many are from poor families, children of prostitutes or addicts, running away from a broken home, scarred by abuse (physical or sexual), or are a product of the foster home system. Or, most likely, a combination of those listed factors. They are literally the children that "fell through the cracks."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Saw the exact same thing the minute I got out of a cab in Austin, 2007.

Has nobody bothered to point out that this is absolutely the result of failed liberal policies?

In Texas, that bastion of liberalism?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Travelers are gypsies. We're these people gypsies? Or were they just middle class white homeless kids?

"Travelers" is a British euphemism for what we Americans called "crusties." And yes, the term is a spin-off from the New Age and Roma Travelers that live in the UK and Ireland.

Obviously, the name Crustie is derogatory so it's no surprise that they self-identify as "travelers."

And no, I'd venture to say that most of the Crusties are NOT middle class white kids. Many are from poor families, children of prostitutes or addicts, running away from a broken home, scarred by abuse (physical or sexual), or are a product of the foster home system. Or, most likely, a combination of those listed factors. They are literally the children that "fell through the cracks."

Crusty isn't derogatory. They call themselves "crusty punks" and "gutter punks". And yes, they are mostly middle class white kids. I'm sure there is the odd few that fell through the cracks, but for the most part no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was in Seattle about 18 months ago and was shocked by the large number of aggressive, young panhandlers. It was really different from the panhandler situations I normally see.

Its a manipulative game that they do. They guilt people into giving more cash. Let's hope that they are saving it to buy a house! Watch this video based on a a Tenderloin resident's encounter living among these people:

http://youtu.be/LiWgDyvmGh0

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Travelers are gypsies. We're these people gypsies? Or were they just middle class white homeless kids?

"Travelers" is a British euphemism for what we Americans called "crusties." And yes, the term is a spin-off from the New Age and Roma Travelers that live in the UK and Ireland.

Obviously, the name Crustie is derogatory so it's no surprise that they self-identify as "travelers."

And no, I'd venture to say that most of the Crusties are NOT middle class white kids. Many are from poor families, children of prostitutes or addicts, running away from a broken home, scarred by abuse (physical or sexual), or are a product of the foster home system. Or, most likely, a combination of those listed factors. They are literally the children that "fell through the cracks."

Crusty isn't derogatory. They call themselves "crusty punks" and "gutter punks". And yes, they are mostly middle class white kids. I'm sure there is the odd few that fell through the cracks, but for the most part no.

Middle class means what exactly? Last I checked families who make $20K to over $250K are all considered middle class in America.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Saw the exact same thing the minute I got out of a cab in Austin, 2007.

Has nobody bothered to point out that this is absolutely the result of failed liberal policies?

In Texas, that bastion of liberalism?

Austin is an anomaly in Texas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Travelers are gypsies. We're these people gypsies? Or were they just middle class white homeless kids?

"Travelers" is a British euphemism for what we Americans called "crusties." And yes, the term is a spin-off from the New Age and Roma Travelers that live in the UK and Ireland.

Obviously, the name Crustie is derogatory so it's no surprise that they self-identify as "travelers."

And no, I'd venture to say that most of the Crusties are NOT middle class white kids. Many are from poor families, children of prostitutes or addicts, running away from a broken home, scarred by abuse (physical or sexual), or are a product of the foster home system. Or, most likely, a combination of those listed factors. They are literally the children that "fell through the cracks."

Crusty isn't derogatory. They call themselves "crusty punks" and "gutter punks". And yes, they are mostly middle class white kids. I'm sure there is the odd few that fell through the cracks, but for the most part no.

Middle class means what exactly? Last I checked families who make $20K to over $250K are all considered middle class in America.

You are splitting semantics now. Most of these "kids" are travelers by choice. As a few who live in the area attested to, most could easily head back to their middle class homes, if their drug fog ever lifted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Crusty Punks good read....crustypunks.blogspot.com

Oh, god. I want to un-see and un-read this.

Check out the courthouse confessions blog...hysterical in the cray-cray is out kind of way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Travelers are gypsies. We're these people gypsies? Or were they just middle class white homeless kids?

"Travelers" is a British euphemism for what we Americans called "crusties." And yes, the term is a spin-off from the New Age and Roma Travelers that live in the UK and Ireland.

Obviously, the name Crustie is derogatory so it's no surprise that they self-identify as "travelers."

And no, I'd venture to say that most of the Crusties are NOT middle class white kids. Many are from poor families, children of prostitutes or addicts, running away from a broken home, scarred by abuse (physical or sexual), or are a product of the foster home system. Or, most likely, a combination of those listed factors. They are literally the children that "fell through the cracks."

Crusty isn't derogatory. They call themselves "crusty punks" and "gutter punks". And yes, they are mostly middle class white kids. I'm sure there is the odd few that fell through the cracks, but for the most part no.

Middle class means what exactly? Last I checked families who make $20K to over $250K are all considered middle class in America.

You are splitting semantics now. Most of these "kids" are travelers by choice. As a few who live in the area attested to, most could easily head back to their middle class homes, if their drug fog ever lifted.

I think you are severely discounting the degree trauma people in this sub-culture have experienced and rampant mental illness.

If they had somewhere positive they could go (i.e. a normal, health middle class home & family), most of them wouldn't be out traveling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Travelers are gypsies. We're these people gypsies? Or were they just middle class white homeless kids?

"Travelers" is a British euphemism for what we Americans called "crusties." And yes, the term is a spin-off from the New Age and Roma Travelers that live in the UK and Ireland.

Obviously, the name Crustie is derogatory so it's no surprise that they self-identify as "travelers."

And no, I'd venture to say that most of the Crusties are NOT middle class white kids. Many are from poor families, children of prostitutes or addicts, running away from a broken home, scarred by abuse (physical or sexual), or are a product of the foster home system. Or, most likely, a combination of those listed factors. They are literally the children that "fell through the cracks."

Crusty isn't derogatory. They call themselves "crusty punks" and "gutter punks". And yes, they are mostly middle class white kids. I'm sure there is the odd few that fell through the cracks, but for the most part no.

Middle class means what exactly? Last I checked families who make $20K to over $250K are all considered middle class in America.

You are splitting semantics now. Most of these "kids" are travelers by choice. As a few who live in the area attested to, most could easily head back to their middle class homes, if their drug fog ever lifted.

I think you are severely discounting the degree trauma people in this sub-culture have experienced and rampant mental illness.

If they had somewhere positive they could go (i.e. a normal, health middle class home & family), most of them wouldn't be out traveling.

Actually, that is a very good point that is often overlooked in the discussion about these kids, plus so-called gay kids, transgendered kids, etc. How many of them were sexually abused? I huge majority, I'm willing to bet. Or in some other way traumatized in their early years.

[Anonymous]

I know/knew a few of these kids (I was their age at the time and we hung out) and their parents very much wanted them home. The drugs and freedom were a big draw. These kids did eventually come home 5-7 years later worse for the wear but somewhat acclimated back to "regular" middle class life. Just one big adventure I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Travelers are gypsies. We're these people gypsies? Or were they just middle class white homeless kids?

"Travelers" is a British euphemism for what we Americans called "crusties." And yes, the term is a spin-off from the New Age and Roma Travelers that live in the UK and Ireland.

Obviously, the name Crustie is derogatory so it's no surprise that they self-identify as "travelers."

And no, I'd venture to say that most of the Crusties are NOT middle class white kids. Many are from poor families, children of prostitutes or addicts, running away from a broken home, scarred by abuse (physical or sexual), or are a product of the foster home system. Or, most likely, a combination of those listed factors. They are literally the children that "fell through the cracks."

Crusty isn't derogatory. They call themselves "crusty punks" and "gutter punks". And yes, they are mostly middle class white kids. I'm sure there is the odd few that fell through the cracks, but for the most part no.

Middle class means what exactly? Last I checked families who make $20K to over $250K are all considered middle class in America.

You are splitting semantics now. Most of these "kids" are travelers by choice. As a few who live in the area attested to, most could easily head back to their middle class homes, if their drug fog ever lifted.

I think you are severely discounting the degree trauma people in this sub-culture have experienced and rampant mental illness.

If they had somewhere positive they could go (i.e. a normal, health middle class home & family), most of them wouldn't be out traveling.

Um traveling is like a thing with some millennials. Chris McCandless is their god/hero.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know/knew a few of these kids (I was their age at the time and we hung out) and their parents very much wanted them home. The drugs and freedom were a big draw. These kids did eventually come home 5-7 years later worse for the wear but somewhat acclimated back to "regular" middle class life. Just one big adventure I guess.

This. Its a cultural/social movement. No one is talking about the mentally ill/abused that wind up on the streets - that is a tragedy.