'Back in my day, we had standards. We worked hard, cut our own hearts out, and then we maybe had a chance to get our button' Jaded old timer 2015

'Crew leaders just automatically hand out buttons these days' Recently returned Wise Guy

'Chris_Vaughn is a terrible trash talker' Ragnarok; 2015

'We need to bring back standards and honor across the world. Things are falling apart, we have to make a change, and make a change now' Random voices across the cities.

These are just a few thoughts and opinions we've all heard over the recent weeks. Everyone has an opinion on how things should run, on how they would operate things. Well that got me to thinking, why not get together and discuss our thoughts and feelings on standards and practices. How I would run a crew would most likely differ from how someone else would run a crew, but I would be willing to listen to their thoughts.  I like to take a little bit from everyone that I have worked for, and then use it in creating my own standards. It doesn't hurt to come forward and share your opinions on this matter.

To those of you without bold suits, what would you like to see done differently? Are there some standards you would like to see followed more? Are there traditions in place that you wish would go away? Speak up, let your voice be heard. I can't promise that some changes, if any changes at all will occur, but it doesn't hurt to be up front and honest. Just remember to be respectful of others when expressing your opinions and thoughts. Also, keep in mind that no everyone will agree with how you see things.

Hopefully this discussion will open things up a bit and allow those who don't voice their opinion much a chance to voice them.

Senka had been wandering the streets. It was only natural for her to wander around checking out the local businesses when she stumbled upon a man speaking about standards. Slightly nodding along as she listened.

Thank you for bringing this up. I am going to use it as it's meant to and speak up.

For awhile my line has noticed an unnecessary practice, double speeches for the same thing. When a leader is authed there tends to be one too many speeches in my opinion. I cannot understand why there needs to be two when the upcoming leader could easily speak right after their leader or Godfather introduces them. Seems essentially just like trying to receive double the congratulations. Is this just so people could repeat themselves? I just honestly do not see the logic in this practice.

Another thing that has been written about is the new coffee shops in the global area of the world. The gun talk is getting extremely more common. Do leaders no longer value omerta? I do not ask to be rude but merely curious. But on top of that are the people that resort to personal attacks in these coffee shops that do not have anything to do with the topic at hand. Do we so easily brush aside these people without so much of a bat of a lash?

The last thing I can think of is what I call the rank pull. I get it that people want respect for the bones that they made. However, does that mean that those under Made Man should be silent? I should hope not. Sometimes it is nice to get a different point of view and that view may not come from a high rank but rather a low rank. Perhaps people need to open up their eyes to the lower ranks and just how useful they can be as well as those high ranks. It takes all people of different walks of life to come up with ideas that could make interesting contests, conversations or just innovative ways to conduct business.

Those are just a few things off the top of my head. I wish I knew a way that would correct some of the things I feel are slightly wrong with our world because I would surely speak them up now. Perhaps a bit more time to think about it may help.

Senka slips back into the shadows of the businesses.

Louis is strolling down the street when he stumbled across a man actually bringing up an interesting and intriguing topic. He jumps in eagerly to add a thought to the conversation.

Personally I've always wondered and hoped that other families of the world really think about the Associates they take on. I really feel it is important to grow the amount of successful criminals of our world. I dream of a day when more cities of the nation will be populated by crime families. We are a long way from this at the moment as we already have vacant cities awaiting a population. Nevertheless, I truly believe it starts with actively engaging new bloodlines and making people feel important and wanted by simply showing them the way. When taking on Associates I really hope that leaders of families go out of the way to guide them to the ways of our world. This life of ours is difficult to learn without proper guidance from the people privileged to have a long list of bloodlines and experience in their family tree. It falls mostly on our shoulders to make this happen. City hall can only do so much to guide these youngsters.

I'm not calling anybody out or saying many don't do this already. I am only pointing out that I feel it is extremely important to help the young mobsters grow and learn the way we conduct business. Just something to think about.

Tips his hat and lights a cigar... 

The Rock doesn't see the choice of associate as the issue. Its what's done with those associates that's the issue. Crew leaders need to take a long hard look at who they hand out buttons to. When it comes time to open the books and promote people to your family proper, think about who you are offering that button too, and what it means and represents.

There should be less 'crew leaders' and more families... that in itself is the root of the issue. Its one the powers that be I'm sure have on their radar.

There should be less 'crew leaders' and more families... that in itself is the root of the issue. Its one the powers that be I'm sure have on their radar.

This is a very interesting statement. And it is one I would like to see broken down and discussed more honestly. I don't want to put any words into your mouth, so I shall not speculate on things. But I do hope that you offer up a bit more explanation on this, and how you would like to see some form of change come about.

I think the most important thing that would happen if I was bold would be to step down so Ragnarok could take over and show everyone how it's done like the mother hugging boss he is!

Indeed standards have slipped somewhat, I myself have been niggled over the last couple of months by people of no rank or influence coming out here to these very streets to disrespect people of a higher standing, unfortunantly we have seen an increase in this in recent times, I will not stand for anyone of my members to come out here and blatantly abuse people they would soon find themselves fitted with a wooden overcoat if they did so, I do however encourage street speaking provided it is done in the right manner.

We could indeed all come together and discuss certain idea's, however I believe variety is the spice of life if all crewleaders ran the same way things would become dull very quickly, we need varied opinions and different ways of doing things we cant all be the same, as a crewleader first and foremost my job is to nurture and protect my family and to try and preach the right things behind closed doors so that when these people come out here they come out here with the right mindset and do so in a respectful manner.

We can all sit idle and moan about this and that but lets cut the bullshit and put it simply, "Every crew member is a direct representation of their crewleader", so for me the answer is right there, If you don't teach them properly they will undoubtedly land you in the shit sooner or later, standards have dropped because crewleaders standards have dropped simple as that, associates don't make the rules they just follow the ones we set out.

It was a sunny, but really cold morning when Socrates took a walk in the streets. It has been long time, since his last walk. Some trouble with his business didn't let him spend time as he wished. Not far from his  favorite barber shop in a small cafe he heard some fellows mafioso expressing their opinions about how a family should be run. He recognized an old friend, Ragnarok. Weaved, and waited for people who were speaking to end, so he could take his turn in the discussion

Good day my friends,

I hear people talking about the good ol' times.

We can't compare the old times with the new times. Back then, the cities were different, smaller, less people on business, easier to run.

A group of 20 people was enough to control everything. Things changed. We have bigger cities now, business gets bigger and bigger. You need to have people working for you. But everyone who joins a crew, has a dream to become a member of this family one day. If you don't let him, he'll quit. He will stop bringing cash to your business. You loose money.

I can have one family run with only 10 people. It will work perfect, but it will not last.  Not to mention that in time of war, we'll be all dead in no time. You need to open your business to new people, hoping they won't bring trouble to your door. It's a risk you have to take. Of course the risk is not so big as you have some time before the associate becomes family, to help him understand, and train him to be what you want him to be.

Some people outside from the family will not understand. They will think you gave that button for no reason. Of course not all the leaders are able to train. If you are not, and you are in a position to know that you cant train your new members, you'll need another member of your family to do that.  But if you are not in a position, as a leader, to understand if you are good, or not in training the new associates, then your life will not last long, and probably the lives of the people who vouch for you.

Thats all i had to say, Good day gentlemen.

Socrates put his hat on and continue his way to his barber shop