TRAVELLER TRUTHS
I’m a traveller and there’s loads of things women aren’t allowed to do – we can’t even drink before we’re married
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AN IRISH traveller has shared a list of things girls in her community are not allowed to do.
Zoey revealed women aren't allowed to drink alcohol until they are married, and are banned from sleepovers with non-travellers.
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Sharing an insight into her life as an Irish traveller on TikTok, Zoey said: "Before we get married, we aren't allowed to drink, and we're not allowed to smoke."
Even though she is now married, she said there is no way she would ever smoke as it's "disgusting".
Another thing Zoey was not allowed to do growing up was mix with people from outside the traveller community.
"You can mix with them in school, but outside school you're not allowed," she said.
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When Zoey was younger, she said she would never even bother asking her parents if she could have a sleepover at a non-traveller's house, as she knew the answer would be no.
"That would never happen in a million years," she said.
Another cultural difference between travellers and non-travellers is that travellers drop out of school when they are very young.
Zoey explained that some children in her community don't even go to secondary school whilst others drop out at 13.
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She herself stopped going to school when she was around 13 or 14.
"What's the point of going to school?", she said.
I'm a proud Gypsy Queen - people think we're 'dirty' thieves, I'm even judged when I get fish and chips, I'm sick of it
"Because being a traveller, you're never going to be able to get a job."
Zoey's video, which was posted under the username , has gone viral, racking up over 312,000 views.
TikTok users raced to the comments section to share their thoughts.
One person said: "My best friend in primary school was a traveller and we lost contact as she didn't go to secondary school.
"She was such an amazing friend."
Another person said: "This is really interesting, I'd love to hear more."
A third added: "I know so many traveller girls with so many talents and skills.
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"There's always someone that will hire you."
Facts on Gypsy and Traveller communities
Typically, Gypsies is a term used to describe Romani people, who migrated to Europe from India.
Meanwhile, traveller refers to a group of people who usually have either Irish, Scottish or English heritage.
It's though that around 300,000 Gypsy Roma and Irish Travellers live in the UK.
Both groups come from nomadic ways of life, however, as it is increasingly difficult to find land to live on many are moving into permanent housing.
They place high value on family life and often live close together even after reaching adult years and getting married.
Often the men are the breadwinners of the family while the women stay home.
While many English gypsy girls are allowed to drink alcohol and go on holiday with their friends before they get married, many Irish traveller girls are not allowed to do this.
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