Who are these people, anyway?

The Romani people of Greece are called Arlije/Erlides, Tsiganoi or the more derogatory term Gyftoi (Gypsies). The number of Roma in Greece is currently estimated to be between 200,000 and 300,000 people.

The history of Roma in Greece goes back to the 15th century. The name Gypsy sometimes used for the Romani people was first given to them by the Greeks, who supposed them to be Egyptian in origin. Due to their nomadic nature, they are not concentrated in a specific geographical area, but are dispersed all over the country. The majority of the Greek Roma are Orthodox Christians who speak the Romani language in addition to Greek. Most of the Roma who live in Western Thrace are Muslims and speak a dialect of the same language.[1]

The Roma in Greece live scattered on the whole territory of the country, mainly in the suburbs. Notable centres of Romani life in Greece are Agia Varvara which has a very successful Romani community and Ano Liosia where conditions are less well. However, between 1998-2002, 502 Albanian Roma children disappeared from the Greek Foundation for children Agia Varvara. These cases were not investigated by the Greek authorities until the European Union forced an investigation, which only led to the recovering of 4 children. The children who were sold by the state were presumably sold to human traffickers for sexual slavery or organ harvesting, according to a report submitted by the Greek government to the European Commission.

Roma largely maintain their own customs and traditions. Although a large number of Roma has adopted a sedentary and urban way of living, there are still settlements in some areas. The nomads at the settlements often differentiate themselves from the rest of the population. They number 200,000 according to the Greek government. According to the National Commission for Human Rights that number is closer to 250,000 and according to the Greek Helsinki Watch group to 300,000. As a result of neglect by the state, among other factors, the Romani communities in Greece face several problems including high instances of child labour and abuse, low school attendance, police discrimination and drug trafficking. The most serious issue is the housing problem since many Roma in Greece still live in tents, on properties they do not own, making them subject to eviction. In the past decade these issues have received wider attention and some state funding. On two occasions, the European Committee of Social Rights found Greece to violate the European Social Charter by its policy towards Roma in the field of housing.

The majority of the Greek Roma are Orthodox Christian and have taken a Greek identity (language, names) while a small part of them, the Muslim Roma, (may be) concentrated in Thrace. ~wiki

this man is not a Gypsy, but from Jamaica -
this man, and more like him, will tie those bracelets on your wrist faster than you can say no thank you.
They will also say something about you under their breath if you don't want to buy their mass-manufactured
friendship bracelets. Thankfully, they target younger people, so we don't get bothered much by them.

ATHENS, Mar 24 - Two women sit on a bench outside an Orthodox Church, their children running around them, in the Agi Varvara neighbourhood of Piraeus, close to the Greek capital. The women are Greek Gypsy, or Roma. They are in all likelihood illiterate and likely to remain that way for the rest of their lives. What this means is that should their children beat the odds and enter the school system, the mothers will be unable to help with the homework. Agia Varvara is the most affluent Gypsy community in Greece, yet not one Gypsy woman here is on record as having completed secondary school. ~source

they always wear skirts with many patterns and colors, socks and slip-on house slippers;
these women are 'giving' away 'free' flowers,
and one of them is selling candles for the Saturday night Easter celebration

Above is a group of Gypsy women that I recognize, as they approach me every time I am in this area of  the Plaka. They approach and grandly offer a rose proclaiming it to be "free" - which is totally not the case. If a person takes the offered flower, they then insist you pay them, usually a euro. They are very insistent and you have to be downright rude to get them to stop pestering you. Some of them, upon  refusal, will  say something under their breath in a foreign tongue (which I always equate to a curse or insult of some sort).

The older women trade in their roses for tablecloths. Holding it out for you to examine and touch, they call you from several steps away, trying to attract your attention. They are also insistent, and it takes some ignoring to make them stop following you. Who in the world needs a tablecloth when they are traveling? They are trying to sell these for 5 euros - at least they are not saying they are free.

The children are the worst for me, though. They are as young as 5 on up, they 'play' the accordion and sometimes sing. It is not unusual for a young child to be outright begging - with no parent or older sibling in sight. They are very insistent, and will mock you to your face for refusal, or treat you to the curse/insult business. I have never gotten a good feel from any of them.

Lastly are the men. They are the least offensive offering selfie-sticks, umbrellas (if it is raining), or flowers. At least they take no for an answer.

I feel bad for these people. The tourists have no idea of the situation, only that they are highly irritating and difficult to deal with. Along with them, there are many street beggars and disabled needy who are also asking for a hand-out. It is difficult for a non-Athenian to know what to do. If you did want to give, you could be out a lot of cash in a hurry giving to all the needy just along Ermou Street. There have been some incidents of attacks of tourists by these Roma, as well as pick-pockets, but it is rare. The smart traveler is aware of their surroundings at all times, and doesn't make themselves a target due to distraction.

I have picked out a couple of needy who are my favorites that we regularly give to. We also have supported the local street vendors and small business owners, purchasing from them instead of mass-produced souvenir shops. At least they have hand-crafted items and they are not in-your-face insistent. The bottom line for me is that I use my intuition about someone asking for money, and give (or not) accordingly.

READ MORE ABOUT THE ROMA HERE