s. Because of the open prejudice which has always existed against Gypsies, the group as a whole suffers from such factors as "higher illiteracy rates, shorter life expectancy, and higher rates of infant mortality" ("The Next Great Trek" 42). At the same time, it may be noted that the Gypsies themselves reject assimilation into the societies that surround them. As a general rule, Gypsies are strongly distrustful of non-Gypsy outsiders, whom they label as payo or gadje. Although they have had numerous opportunities to settle down, the Gypsies have resisted this urge and have retained their own unique cultural identity instead. Even the persecutions suffered by the Gypsies have contributed to this persistence of identity. As noted by one source, "such persecution has always fortified the cultural solidarity of the Gypsies rather than weakened it and perhaps explains why many Gypsy groups have endured to the present day as distinct ethnic minorities in different parts of the world" ("Gypsies" 775).
While remaining on the fringes of society, the Gypsies have nonetheless found it necessary to seek occupations which connect them with other groups. The Gypsies generally maintain a strict division of labor in which "men are the artisans while women offer services, such as fortune-telling, and sell what the men produce" (Greenfeld 39). Gypsy men have developed a number of special trades for themselves, including metalworking and music-making. In some cases, Gypsy families will set up a storefront operation for fortune-telling. This type of operation is known as an ofisa. In almost all cases, however, Gypsies are unwilling to submit themselves to the routines and demands of "salaried workers" (Charlemagne 12). When work is unobtainable, Gypsies are known to turn to stealing and other petty crimes. According to the enculturated view of the Gypsies, there is nothing immoral about stealing from outsiders. Picking pockets is one way...