This is interesting and I thought it sufficiently significant to be aired in here, particularly as we are seeing quite a number of charedi visitors to the town at the moment:
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/why-i-left-the-ultraorthodox-jewish-community-as-kids-we-were-told-that-the-outside-world-hated-us-9668865.html
Ian,
That article is indeed very interesting.
Although I must be very careful not to generalise, that article strikes a chord with me and explains certain 'behaviours' that I see more and more everyday, in my work. It begins to explain a great deal.
You see, many ultra-orthadox Jewish families are coming into the shops on the pier these days, and by their actions, they are making themselves unpopular to say the least.
Many of the shop owners are exasperated, confused and a sometimes quite upset by the abrupt and even aggressive manner in which (many) of the Cheradi people conduct themselves.
They tend to question everything, demand much, pack the kiosk with disruptive children, stay for a VERY long time,and purchase nothing. I say 'tend' for fear of being branded racist. But this is the experience of many of the pier shopkeepers.
The Punch and Judy man has suffered more acutely than most.... as they fill his audience, but pointedly refuse to donate anything towards the show. How does one get round that issue?
Personally, to reduce my own stress levels, I have found myself having to employ certain strategies to 'curtail' my exposure to this, shall we say.
It really boils down to a lack of respect, and as your article alludes to, a culture of being aloof and deliberately separatist.
The Pier is a private business (not a free public facility), and it is populated by small private businesses.
It can only survive if the visitors to it are of a mind to enjoy and purchase the goods and entertainments on offer.
Sadly, there is now an increasing number of visitors, (of many backgrounds) who refuse to do so, for a variety of cultural reasons.
