How to Spot a Gypsy

Many people think of gypsies as mere travelers selling wares from the back of a horse cart. They have been identified as mystical fortune tellers and are even considered frightening by some. Gypsies are far more complex than popular lore suggest. Most commonly associated with Eastern Europe, gypsies have well-established cultures and traditions.

Instructions

1. Examine the clothing of a person you think is a gypsy. Both male and female gypsies wear vibrant colors and a limited amount of black. Women wear colorful, floor-length skirts, while men wear loose-fitting, colorful shirts and vests. Expect both genders to wear a significant amount of jewelry, such as bracelets, anklets, rings and necklaces.

2. Investigate how long the person you think is a gypsy has lived in the area. Known for their nomadic lifestyle, gypsies travel throughout the country rather than staying in one place too long. Find out where the person has lived during recent years and in the conditions.

3. Find out about the gypsy's occupation. Gypsies shy away from traditional desk jobs, preferring to sell items they have made or purchased. They may go door to door or set up a booth to sell merchandise. Women may engage in fortune telling and men are often employed doing metalwork. Gypsy employment is almost always short-term and relatively isolating.

4. Get a glimpse of the suspected gypsy in the presence of a horse. Gypsies spent many years making their money through horse-trading and still have a special reverence for the animal.