Good evening my fellow mobsters.

I come to you tonight to ask a simple question of etiquette. So that I don't get slammed with responses from the peanut gallery about who or where I should direct this question, let me make it perfectly clear that I'm not asking for the RIGHT answer, I am asking what YOUR answer is.

You see, my mother raised me by herself while my father was making his bones in this world and while my father wrote letters and stayed in contact, it was indeed my mother who taught me many of my life's lessons and one of those things she taught me was etiquette. Some of those lessons have since been lost, but the heart of soul of it sticks with me forever. But, I come to you tonight for a few reasons. Obviously, mother did not expect nor desire me to follow in my father's footsteps, but... shit happens. However, her lessons didn't translate very well into this world and so I ask you, perhaps more experienced mobsters, what your etiquette is. Sure, we're all crime loving, gun-happy sons of bitches, but surely there has to be some form of etiquette. How else can you define respect?

And thus, I ask you, what do you do to pay respect to your fellow mobsters, without seeming like a suck-up little bitch? Obviously there's a fine line. Or perhaps, a thick line. But where is that line? Where does a conversation go from "it's just what I do" to getting a bullet in your head? How much can you get away with because it is our lifestyle before someone breaks every bone in your body? Why do some people seem able to get away with more than others?

Do you go the passive-aggressive route and pay no attention to those that disrespect you in a minor way. Sure, put them on your shit list, but is it actually better to do nothing? To sit and watch some unknown associate steal your hard earned cash? To stare blankly as someone busts out some prissy fairy bastard from jail on a crack down you paid for? To wander aimlessly in an scramble of thoughts after when someone shoots the MIA that you discovered? What about when someone disrespects you in the streets? It seems like a good idea to do something about it, doesn't it? But what can you do? What can be done when someone breaches your etiquette. And what can you do to ensure you don't become that asshole and breach theirs?

I leave the floor open while you ponder this ideal.

But where is that line? Where does a conversation go from "it's just what I do" to getting a bullet in your head? How much can you get away with because it is our lifestyle before someone breaks every bone in your body? Why do some people seem able to get away with more than others?

One answer for them all, Power. Power dictates how much you can get away with and it also decides why some people get away with things more than others, as these people hold more sway/power.

With regard to your second string of questions; The situation itself would determine the response it merits. If someone is blatantly disrespectful to you in the street, then you have two choices. Respond to the disrespect and stand your ground, or seek assistance from your family to use any power they have to ensure the disrespectful comments are met with a much heavier response (War/Demand for Apology; all relevant to the disrespect itself and the person in questions public status - i.e. a CL couldn't sit there and accept respect from someone else in the community without making some form of response.)

I wonder if you would mind me throwing in another query for yourself and even the masses to ponder? Say you saw some no name c walking down the street and stealing some purses, at a glance you see this person sporting a (very long - this is the short version) tattoo on their person that states "If you Pick my pocket and don't return the money then this gives me permission to shoot you" - Now this person has no power. He's no-one. Does he have the right to make such statements? How does he expect his words to hold any weight?

I recently encountered an individual like this, and of course being the argumentative little bastard that I am, I picked this pocket. So my question to you folks out there is; Should this person now have the right to fire a bullet in my direction without any repercussion? Or does the fact that he bore that statement on his body hold zero weight in our world?

(Please don't let this enter into a Pick Pocket discussion, my point is related purely to the tattoo on his body and the power it holds. I feel this slides into the etitquette scenario posed by BigDaddy)

I will of course offer my own opinion on the matter, I feel anyone that asks such a loaded question should clearly show what side of the fence they are on; I believe that as the warning was available prior to my actions and was very clear on the repercussions of my actions, then this person should be able to commit to the warning and exact his revenge. Whay say everyone else?

First and foremost, I follow the rules set by the Godfather or City Head in whatever city I happen to be in.

Secondly, I follow My own Godfather's rules in the City I call home.

Thirdly, and this may be where the line comes in to play, anything that does not fall into either of those sets of rules remains to my own discretion. I think this is where the etiquette of which you speak comes into play. I choose the golden rule for everything else. I treat people like I would want to be treated in the same scenarios. 

If you feel you are being disrespected, I would suggest taking it to your direct superiors, if it really bothers you. I would not suggest taking it into your own hands, since even if you do have the 'power' to do something about it, the repercussions of said action could lead to a war that easily could have been prevented.

When there is no clear line, ask. You hold more than just your own future in your hands when you act in haste.

As for Tyrion's question, he has every right to make the statement. (Definition of a fool: A person lacking in judgement or prudence)

Whether he has the right to back that statement up is another thing. I would think that would be something you should take up with his or her superiors, since they are definitely representing a Crew Leader, and said CL may not wish to go to war over something so petty.

As BigDaddy said though, this is MY answer, it may not be the right one.

Secondly, I follow My own Godfather's rules in the City I call home.

 

"City" was meant to be "HeadQuarters" by the way. City rules had already been covered by my first statement.

I rarely suck up so to speak. However, when someone in a position that demands respect actually deserves it, I have no problem coming out and showing it, even to the point of seeming to suck up. But even in a case like that, its just my own gratitude, not a play for more power or higher rank. For me it is a clearly discernible line.

With regards to getting away with stuff I think it really matters what you say, how you say it, and more importantly who is backing you up. If you're well spoken. in some cases the person just doesn't realize they have been disrespected. Sometimes I think they may sense a little disrespect but are too unsure to act or say anything about it for fear of looking stupid. That is not to say that I try and disrespect people, however many times the things they say out here leave them open to a certain amount. I feel those with the power to kill for disrespect normally wont take that option if they can see that someone stepped into some shit on their own, as long as the words aren't too blatant.

Personally I listen very closely to everything said. I wont allow any disrespect to get past me if there is any way to make the disrespectful pay for it. You cant stop every action or act on every word.  But usually, you can engage the person and bring them to the point of outing themselves enough that they then turn to being disrespectful with words, which is the easiest way to find death around here. Tyrion's example is a good one. I feel threatening to shoot someone with a tattoo is worthy of a bullet, it rarely happens though. So, much like him, I would find it appealing to push that persons buttons until they managed to get themselves killed. Same result. While the tat may hold little weight, actions and reactions hold plenty.