Social pattern of Roma non–Roma relations and prevailing stereotypes and prejudices as derive from the in-depth interviews and opinion survey realized in the region of Bela krajina (Slovenia) Franc Mlinar, MA, ISCOMET Institute for Ethnic and Regional Studies, Maribor, Slovenia

 Bela krajina, Slovenia  81 respondents (41 Roma, 40 non-Roma)  Division by age  Division by gender  Education  Employment  Social-economic strata/class  Economic situation

 Personality characteristics that are subscribed to Roma  Social distance towards the Roma  Position of Roma in the society  Causes for the current position of Roma in the society

 Characteristics on which the two groups agree: - loud, wild, free-minded, stubborn, instinctive, spontaneous, manipulative and clever  Characteristics on which the two groups disagree: - less creative, less beautiful, less sympathetic, less honest, more malicious, more revengeful, more impulsive, less communicative and less musical  Negative image of Roma among non-Roma respondents

 High degree of distance towards different social groups  Distance toward Roma - non-personal contacts are acceptable - personal life not acceptable  Higher distance towards Roma than other national minorities  Not equal, separated areas

 Contribution of Roma to cultural diversity, to cultural richness and to tolerant society  Position: - Discriminated, hate speech, second-level citizens - Roma are satisfied with their position  Collective rights - yes: language, NGO, culture, public media - no: political articulation

 Poor living conditions of Roma in Bela Krajina  Causes for unemployment - poor education - unpreparedness and laziness of Roma - victims of discrimination of the employers  Low educational level - indifference for education - bad knowledge of the Slovenian language  Personal or external reasons

 Roma are privileged social group in Slovenia  Authorities and public services are more indulgent to the Roma than to other inhabitants  Roma very often make a living through thefts, begging and vandalism and the robbery is the predominant way of living of Roma  Do not respect or they even destroy our environment and are less interested for the benefits of the local community  Non-Roma respondents oppose that the local and national authorities should secure more resources for the poverty reduction of Roma