Here we often see open discrimination against the Roma (Gypsies) in everyday life. It's just one of the ways the deep prejudice against them manifests itself. Today was a little different though. As I was riding home on the bus I was checked by the ticket enforcers to see if I had an up-to-date or stamped ticket. This is a common occurrence and there is a hefty fine if you don't. I noticed two Roma, a woman and most likely her 20 something son, got on at one stop and I thought uh-oh, knowing many Roma ride black (the term we use for riding public transportation without a proper ticket). From my seat in the back of the nearly empty bus I did not hear the exchange between the Roma and ticket checker (they sit incognito until the bus starts and then they jump up to check everyone who got on) but could see that it was lively with gestures. An elderly Hungarian woman did overhear and loudly began to chastise the ticket checker for being rude to the Roma woman. She exclaimed several times, "You don't have to be rude and ugly!" I was in shock! I rarely, rarely witness a Hungarian defending a Roma in public. It made me smile.
I wish that was the end of the story. I feel like I need to report the whole episode though. The elderly Hungarian woman got off a few stops later and took one more swipe at the ticket checker. (I was the only one cheering, "You Go Girl!") Unfortunately the Roma woman and young man continued to yell at the ticket checker who began to yell back after the Hungarian woman exited the bus. I could not understand what was being said but I did understand the bus driver when he spoke over the intercom. He told them to be quiet or they would ALL have to get off! Just another cultural moment.....
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