There is something I would like to address, because frankly, I have seen it over and over again. 

Some things in this world is just taken with a grain of salt. Some rules seem to apply to some, and not to others. The problem with that, is in my eye's it really shows a  broken system. 

What am I speaking of? 

Funny you may ask. Now first let me state, as annoying as it may be, as minimal as you may think it is, this has had many witness's to how it creates issues that affect more then just victims or the aggressors. I'm referring to pick pocketing. 

Yes the annoying aspect that many feel has no value. 

If this is the case, if pick pocketing isn't something that should be considered a threat, then why are their rules regarding it?

What's the point in having "not pick pocket friendly" if someone can do it anyhow, then it just gets written off to no big deal. 

My father had issues with the art of thievery in his time of running a family. It really is a thin line to try to address. Most people blow it off as no big deal. Probably no Crew Leader would punish a family member for breaking the rule. Maybe some do, but I have yet to see it. 

The problem with having a rule and not really upholding risk, reward sort of speak, is that it creates confusion. Those new to this world, or those who aren't very familiar to this way of life, may see the rules and then react harshly if it happens to them. They get upset, I have seen it first hand. It's hard to deal with as a Crew Leader for one, because you can't really demand anything be done. Usually the aggressor laughs in your face and goes about their way. 

To the newer Mafioso's, the ones who we preach to read sign rules, the ones we tell to abide those rules at all cost. When pick pocketing is unwarranted much like shooting a tagged Mafioso for 4 hours or less the 48 hours of walking the streets and with no distinguishing difference in the rules I would assume they would feel it's no different then being shot at themselves. 

So my question is, are we really setting a bad example to those fresh to the shores with the blurry lines of what rules are followed and which aren't?

You may not think it's a big deal, but ask those who have been involved in the situation in which it has turned into something minor to something drastic. History shows issues derive from it more often then you think. 

Punishment fits the crime, PP is not a huge deal on the large scale. Mugging is an appropriate retaliation, if any further action needed to be taken I'd assume the mafiaso is specifically targeting a certain family and even then, killing would have to be a very rare instance. 

Yes mugging is a consideration, but what if mugging causes even more issues as it has shown to have happened on numerous occasions? 

People used to complain about PP all the time, even going so far as to killing people who were taking mere pennies from their pockets, the Gods did not enjoy this and now allow us to mug people who have wronged us. The rules now, which I may be wrong on, all indicate that if you break the rules on PPing then you will be mugged, which is fair enough and very few complain about this from as far as I can tell. 

So where exactly is the problem? Just because one man took to playing his role a bit too seriously, does not mean we must take a step back and look at pick pocketing. It isn't broke, and so I see no reason to fix it.

Honestly, if it were up to me then having a stance on the matter should be illegal and pick pocketing should be allowed for all, and mugging should be the accepted means of retaliation. This way there is no gray area like there is now, and nobody can complain or push for anything more severe. But, I am naught but a lowly gangster and nothing I say matters anyways, so uh, I'll just stop talking now. 

For most cities, the rule is obey the target's stance. If you PP a man who is not friendly, he will likely mug you back if possible. If you complain about being mugged, tough toenails. Should have payed attention, and thats what their CL should tell them. Now if they decide to shot because of the mugging, then he just went rogue, and no one else should have to step in and his/her CL should set up a shooting for said rogue. 

In all fairness, a person holding a sign stating "Not pick pocket friendly" just makes me want to pick pocket them even more. I always return the cash, plus an extra $1 just so they can go wild. If a person mugs me because I pick pocketed them when they stated they were not friendly to it, then so be it. It's all water off a ducks back for me.

Well it may be mere pennies to some, and rules should be upheld, but for those who really don't mind being mugged then there's really nothing you can do about it.  I personally don't like to be mugged, so i abide by the rules set forth, and pay attention to those I'm pick pocketing.  If there PP friendly i go for it, if not I leave them alone, as they've requested.  I also believe the district heads should enforce the rule if they've got it stated in there city rules that your not to be PP'd unless you've got it stated in your profile that your PP friendly.  Or else why the hell would you even make the district/family Rule?   Then again maybe leaders should just be rid of the PickPocketing rules, and let each member decide whether to mug there assailant or not. 

Yes mugging is a consideration, but what if mugging causes even more issues as it has shown to have happened on numerous occasions? 

Then the person is a dick. Nothing more, nothing less. I don't care who they are. If you pick a pocket, you do so with the risk of being mugged when/if caught. If you then bitch and moan because you think your better than someone else and shouldn't be mugged, then you are a coward and a prick in my eyes. 

Anna smiles to Phobia

Alright fella? An interesting topic you've revived for us here, one that usually generates an insane amount of controversy. Indeed, it's an insane amount of arguing, bitching, crying, tense conversations, stupid threats, sometimes backed by stupid actions... over $5000 tops.

Now, I get that to some, it's a respect issue.

If you want to be pickpocket unfriendly, that's fine. If that isn't respected, mug if you can. If you can't... is $5000 really breaking you so hard? If you're going to claim to be PP unfriendly and not act on it, there's really no point claiming you are PP unfriendly in the first place.

To say that you ARE pickpocket friendly and mug is, in my opinion, a nasty trick, however, at the end of the day, it is high time in my opinion that we all started to accept that with pickpocketing comes a risk, and that our crew leader is not our Mommy, and that they aren't going to come yell at the nasty mean kid in the playground who got you. I accept that while some crew leaders are still willing to do that, people are still going to keep crying about it, but in my opinion, this should never be an issue on a crew leader level.

It's hard to deal with as a Crew Leader for one, because you can't really demand anything be done.

When my line has ran crews, were I ever to run a crew, and I'm sure were my children ever to run crews, the rule we would have in regard to pickpocketing would basically be: Pickpocket at your own risk. Do not come crying to me if you get mugged. I will not be causing problems with other leaders over this.

So in all honesty, the only thing I would try to do as a crew leader, is stop this being an issue I have to deal with in the first place. It doesn't have to be.

I'll be honest though. I've never really understood why we allow people to be pickpocket unfriendly to the extent that we take them so seriously that it becomes an issue for crew leaders. If somebody walked around stating that they were wack unfriendly, I'm pretty sure we'd all sit and piss ourselves laughing at them. It's just another part of this thing of ours. It is what it is.

So my question is, are we really setting a bad example to those fresh to the shores with the blurry lines of what rules are followed and which aren't?

I don't think that those newer to our shores are actually the problem here, in general. Most of the issues that my bloodline has had to deal with over pickpocketing have come from self-entitled old timer bloodlines, who, in all honesty, probably should know better.