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| Of Contrivers and Connivers. | Started by: LordofBiscuitTins on Oct 09, '08 18:00 |
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An apology. This is not, perhaps, the most original topic of conversational debate; in fact I even recall one of my forebears making a speech on a similar topic not many months ago. Nevertheless, I do full it is an apt topic to be addressed under the current climate. Of course, the art of contrived speeches has always been practised in our thing; but recently an increase, as I see it, and a more public awareness of it, has led me to hopefully spark a debate on the matter. For those of you who are still slightly unsure of what I'm alluding to, it is the art of making speeches not in the interest of increased community activity or in the pursuit of initiating discussion, but to solely boost one's credibility to receive Made Man or the nod to start your own family; the two most solemn honours in my book. Many old comrades and colleagues have dropped me a mail or sought me out in the coffeeshops recently, to see what I thought of so and so doing this to try and get auth, or what's his face doing that in a desperate bid to receive Made Man. (Bear in mind I get sought out by everyone for my opinions - I'm dead great me). But back to the topic at hand; these personal correspondences, along with Zoey's mention in her poster, have inspired me to bring the issue before my peers in an effort to garner your opinions (I actually care what you think - amazing for such an egotistical cunt, right?!?!?!). Again, I'm digressing. It's fairly easy to get caught up in my ego though, so not a major ball drop on my part. Though I'm generalising a tad here, it always seems from my perspective that those 'guilty' of making these arguably artificial threads are vilified by the masses, and I don't really see a reason why. At the very worst there is an increase in street activity; at best there is a candidate for a hallowed position who proves that they are willing to put in the graft required for such a prestigious honour. Conversely, mind you, I could accept that someone who boosts their presence only at Wise Guy is maybe not the ideal figurehead, and that it is perhaps indicative of a selfish nature. But what do you think? Are contrived speeches to be tolerated, encouraged even? Or should they be damned and nothing more? Are they even essential, or would a steady public presence throughout the ranks prove more beneficial to personal advancement? Voice your opinions folks; or at least fill me with custard creams, I'm running low! |
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| Chicken! | |
| Reply by: The_Black_Preacher at Oct 09, '08 18:11 | |
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It all depends on what you really want from street activity as an individual. Personally, I like to embark on a crusade of randomness that makes me giggle. Is this in the true mafia spirit? Maybe not, but it makes me happy. There are few, if actually any subjects/moot points that would be seen as original to those of us who've life a fair few years. Ergo the newcomer trying to make his presence felt will be disadvantaged. What annoys me is the usually mute part of the community who immediately spit vitriol onto someones poster/speech no matter how much effort has gone into it with remarks like 'seen this before' or 'rip off' or things to that effect. They, in my opinion are the cancer that upsets and discourages the young/shy/sexually unsure to get out and do their thing. I think we can get a little too 'precious' about this thing of ours. Many a time, i've heard the self same people slagging off a writer for not knowing unwritten rules which are NOT in any of the handbooks and wouldn't be known unless you had been around for the amount of time these self same people profess to have been. It really grips my shit for want of a better phrase. If it were up to me, the gods would mute any family line from the streets and actually allow the new blood to flourish. Thats all I have to say on the matter. *slyly touches up the biscuit tin* |
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| Reply by: Superjerk at Oct 09, '08 18:13 | |
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Im the quiet type who sits in the back of the bar sippin whiskey playin cards..I stick to my close friends mostly..reading the street posters and responding when its something I personally feel I want to get involved in.. Slams a shot glass on the table and I wont change that for anyone just to impress them, or change how I conduct my business just to gain a criminal family or friends. A lot of mafioso now a days hear and are pressed to go out there and make threads to get auth, to move up in this world and to make connections. Some of the information they are told is right, but there are many different ways to get yourself known - just be sure to find the one thats right for you because the public can see when your being fake.. |
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| Reply by: StripheCorelli at Oct 09, '08 18:17 | |
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*superjerks Striphe* what? |
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| Reply by: Superjerk at Oct 09, '08 18:18 | |
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Looks at Superjark and passes the bottle over to him.. Just take a drink or two and play some cards and it will be ok friend. Mumbles to himself about some boing stuff he had a nightmare about |
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| Reply by: StripheCorelli at Oct 09, '08 18:22 | |
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*nods as he's shite at the italics thing, takes a swig and wonders where he'll end up* Good to see you bro :D |
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| Reply by: Superjerk at Oct 09, '08 18:24 | |
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You could argue that everything someone does is contrived or conniving if they are trying to boost themselves or elevate their own position. Take you for example. You've said yourself a late ancestor of yours made a very similar speech not too long ago and here you are putting it out to us again. Is this really in a bid to offer this topic up to the masses or merely an attempt to get your own name out on the streets? I don't believe that anybody does anything that isn't a partly for their own advancement or benefit. Therefore, I really don't care whether someone is doing something to get auth or a promotion. The fact they are bothering to speak in the streets at all is something worth encouraging. |
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| Reply by: WindowsVista at Oct 09, '08 19:01 | |
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Personally, I don't much care about people's motives in a street speech. All I care about is that A). they have something to say and 2). that they say it well. If they have something inteligent or amusing to say, and it is comprehensible, Bravo. What I do have a problem with is when speeches are made that have very little thought put into them. We are all busy mafiosi. There are dozens of things we could be doing such as robbing a convenience store, gettting to know other associates, busting those unfortunate enough to have run afoul of the police out of jail, or selling drugs etc. etc. Why in the world should we stop and waste our time listening to someone ramble on and on about nothing? My time is too valuable for such nonsense. |
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| Reply by: Azuela at Oct 09, '08 19:42 | |
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I don't think the practice itself is the main issue. It's inevitable, it will always happen and always has, and everyone knows that. Rather, I think, the aspect that draws the comments (aside from those which are determined general naysayers, as someone else mentioned) is a virtue which is treasured in many areas of our business: Subtlety. It's common knowledge that we all rob, swindle and kill day in, day out. But we do try to keep it out of the New York Times headlines. We refrain, for the most part, from introducing ourselves as mass murderers at nice dinner gatherings. Any gangster proclaiming himself a big bad Mobster to every rube he comes across would surely cause trouble for someone down the line, and so the risk would be dealt with. Really, how hard is it to rent a shitty storefront in the ghetto, put a few busted washing machines in it, and call yourself a businessman? In much the same way, we all know that everyone whores themselves for recognition from time to time. Just look at the entire process of gaining acceptance to a Family-- at the very least, it's a toned down sales pitch on yourself, and at most something comparable to the job of a first-rate prostitute, and often with the same culmination. So yeah, it's a fact of life that people will shamelessly promote themselves. It's just preferred if one can go about it in a less than obvious manner. Meaning, in this case, that they not begin the parade as soon as their name gets on someone's upward mobility list, and that they genuinely offer their insight and personality and not deliver a sad cardboard performance. Or something, I don't know. I'm no expert on the subject, I'm only... *RonMexico* [<---- LOOK THERE] |
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| Reply by: RonMexico at Oct 09, '08 19:47 | |
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See now this is something that has gotten me thinking over the past few days. Before the war I was pretty much a nameless face in Iris's family, I kept myself to myself and there were enough people there to be just another wiseguy. But with the war happening I found myself in a position of being one of the few wiseguys left. This to be honest was a little unnerving, not that I thought people would be taking notice of me or anything. But with the need for crews to be set up, it was obvious that those who were ranked wiseguy or above were going to be looked at a little closer. I toiled with myself about whether I should make a poster or not. Thinking it over I decided that I wouldn't come out here that way. I did however choose to comment on posters which was my choice. As I'm sure many of you will have been keeping track who is in a position to set up and who isn't. I was given the honour of being Made by cab yesterday. This however does not mean I will change who I am. I will still walk these streets the way I do and will comment when I choose to comment. |
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| Reply by: Dante_Balboni at Oct 09, '08 19:54 | |
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A good topic. RonMexico, I think, has made some good points. In our line of work, from the moment we step off the boat, some part of us needs to be working to impress someone. It's essential to the structure of this thing of ours. The idea that people appreciate subtly in that sort of act, and also demand the presence of substance, are excellent points that need no further elaboration. In addition to these points, I don't necessarily think it is a bad thing for circumstances to spur a greater street presence. There are certainly some Wise Guys who throw out a cursory, trite speech for their own selfish goals. But there can be other motivations as well. Perhaps a young man or woman, upon reaching the rank of Wise Guy, realizes that their boss is asking them to become a more complete, dedicated mafioso for the future. I don't see this person getting a wake up call as a bad thing, as long as they put the effort into their discussion. |
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| Reply by: ThesaurusRex at Oct 09, '08 20:00 | |
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| Any activity is good activity. If it is only shallow speeches to help get their button even better. That means they are coming out of their comfort zone to try and make an effort. Albeit if they are just talking out of their ass they should be properly blasted for being such an asshat. I for one however, would consider someone who has from the start been active for made before letting someone who just started as a Wise guy. But then again I can be quite the asshole...ah well. | |
| Reply by: Thomas at Oct 09, '08 23:59 | |
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I guess there are only so many things you can come to the street to talk about at the end of the day. So therefore the same things come along time after time and the same blood lines say the same things. You can however see from street speaking when someone has made the decision to try and get auth'd by the heads of the families into a new city. They suddenly come to the streets to talk about stuff and are more active in discussions. Gianlica wanders off to find an old topic to talk about again |
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| Reply by: Gianluca at Oct 10, '08 07:08 | |
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| The main concern should be whether a speak is good or not. The motivation should make no difference if the act is relevant and worth while. | |
| Reply by: VagInATube at Oct 10, '08 07:55 | |
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| *speach | |
| Reply by: VagInATube at Oct 10, '08 08:19 | |
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How embarrassing for me: *speech |
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| Reply by: VagInATube at Oct 10, '08 08:19 | |
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Zoey noticed Striphe and SuperJerk having a drink on the streets. Oh my God! I can't believe you guys didn't invite me to drink with you. You're so mean. I'm never ever going to get over this. The young dramatic woman turned towards the other people who recently spoke. Personally I don't think it takes strong street presence to get promoted to Made Man or authorization to set up a family, but that's an entirely different topic. Although I'm a fan of activity on the streets it makes me very very sad to hear people talk just to get a promotion or permission to start their own family. When I hear them talk all I hear is, "blah blah blah. I'm only talking to get what I want. blah blah blah. When I get it I'm going to be a mute again. blah blah blah." It breaks my heart into a million little pieces because they don't appreciate the streets all the time. They use it like a cheap whore. They get what they want then leave. That's so rude! |
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| Reply by: Zoey at Oct 10, '08 14:34 | |
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