Blimey...My little comment has caused a bit of a shit storm! Wasn't my intention. But, it's a fact that an ancient Romany word has been adapted and applied to a branch of British youth, that don't work, live on benefits, have loads of children, drink amazing amounts of alcohol, and fight into the night! (Sounds like typical Daily Mail readers to me!) I wasn't saying that the bastardisation of the word "Chav" was a good/bad thing....It has just happened. I didn't make it happen. There are some wonderful Gypsy/Romany musicians from all over Europe. Long may they continue to thrive/sing/play.... The word "Chav" has been stolen from them and applied to an underclass of feckless british youth. And, that is a real shame. But, getting back the OP's point. The chavs I see are certainly not poor, looking at the amount of bling they wear, and what they can afford for drinking...and I doubt very much if most of them could read the Daily Mail!
An example. A few years ago, my band played Wimborne Festival (Lovely market town in the South of England)..We had Saturday night off, and thought that a nice Italian meal would be a good idea.....It was like a bloody war zone in town, and it was only eight thirty at night! Pissed kids throwing cans and bottles around..Fights...good grief, We gave up, and went back to our digs. I have never felt so sad as I did that day. So, Sorry. peoples, there is an underclass in the UK society, (Sadly it's got the name "Chav") but it exists whatever the name. And the UK government will never address the problem....Why should they? Chavs wouldn't know a voting form if it slapped them in the face! Most of them can't write, or indeed spell!
Rant over, I rest my case....Romanies good....Chavs bad!