Getting up from her milk crate, she heads towards the front.  It wasn't often that she had the time or urge to announce her thoughts in public, let alone make an entire speech about something.  But she figured what the hell, people would either pay attention, or completely ignore her, it didn't matter either way.  She was content rambling to herself.  She looks around and begins to chatter about something that she had been recently contemplating.

This is the mafia, and mobsters aren't always known for their politeness or manners.  But in recent years, there are some that have taken on an attitude of pleasantness.  I'm not talking about being friendly to acquaintances or having some respect towards the people around you.  Some people have developed a type of mafia etiquette, and I really don't know how to feel about it, or what is expected of me.

The other day I included a few mobsters in my criminal activities, I needed some help robbing that local art gallery.  When we completed the job, a few of them made it a point to come up and say "Thanks for including me."  On an act of kindness, I will occasionally bust a random stranger out of jail.  No one wants to be stuck with Bubba, so I did them a favor.  As they were being shoved out the front door to freedom, they caught up and said "Hey, thanks for helping me out."

Now, I can't really complain that fellow mafioso are being down right friendly.  But after many of these situations, I have become curious as to what is expected.  Is it necessary to tell every criminal partner or jail break buddy thank you?  When someone gives their thanks to you, are you supposed to reply with a "your welcome", or "no problem"?  Or do you just nod and move on, forgetting the small pleasantries? 

What should one do in these situations?  Is it rude of me to not say thank you each time, or not respond because I already have so much other correspondence to attend to?  How do you feel about this mafia etiquette?  What do you do in these situations?

Sits back down on her crate and lights up a cigarette.

I have read in my forefather's journal that he used to thank people for busting him out, before he got tired of doing it so often. I think it's just people that want to express that they appreciate your help. I don't think they think it's expected of them to thank you, but rather people want to be nice in return for you helping them. I still always respond to those who show their gratitude, of course.

In all honesty, I think it's an attempt to make contacts. Someone in a position of power such as yourself and Sovereign may intimidate others from engaging in conversation out of the blue. They will take the opportunity presented from being busted out, or a job, to engage in friendly conversation and get to know some of the big dogs in this thing of ours. 

Generally when it concerns the jail, I only thank people for busting me out if I was awake at the time of incarceration, which is very rarely the case nowadays. However, I feel it is the proper etiquette and behavior to thank a person if they invite you to do a job together.

Vito takes a seat in the conversation and starts listening to the other people responding to the question. He deeply thinked what he was going to say before opening his mouth and saying anything.

''I have to agree with introducing yourself to bigger and more respected people part, most of the people do it because of that in-fact. We or I can not erase or deny facts. But some people still do it because they feel the need to thank you in return of your favor to them, because they can not sleep if they do not thank you, because they will feel guilty if they do not thank you. Being a human is a matter of chance, being a Man/Woman is a matter of growing up but being Gentleman or being a Lady is a matter of choice, and that choice is yours to make for yourself because in this world you do not represent only yourself but your city, your leader, your family and your friends.''

"Interesting topic Hayley. I agree with all that have spoken before me. It's a combination of being thankful and also making contacts. Hell, you could've let me rot in jail and not invited me to that nicely paying job that you put together. I may have certain hard and cold ways about me given certain situations, namely if someone crosses me or my business affairs, but I wouldn't consider myself smug and arrogant. I may engage in certain types of business but I consider myself a mostly peaceful individual."

"I can't speak for others, but I also don't care what you have to say in return. Not because I'm being rude, but because I mainly just care for my own expression and pay attention to acting in line with my own principles. I will say this though, you can really gauge someone's character through these small interactions, as fleeting as they are. This alone makes it worth me extending myself, to get to know the personalities of those I work with. It's feel it's valuable to me and my business to know people on a personal level."

The sound of heels clicking upon the ground are clear and crisp in announcement before she is seen, and Katharina smiles within her approach. This discussion had piqued her particular interest as respect is among the top priority for herself and those among her immediate family. It is with no consequence that they find her here today among them at this exact moment, nor does it go without saying she has personal experience with what Hayley has spoken of.

There are still positions avaiable to sit, with which she does to listen and hear what the others say. Once a quiet moment approaches, Kat takes the opportunity to lift her own voice.

"Common courtesy is one thing. Respect is another. Dignity... It is a matter of personal opinion and choice. It is not a question of thanking someone for doing you a favor. That should be a given, in my humble opinion. Never burn a bridge... However, should you always have to respond back? Hm... No. Not every little favor deems worthy of recognition on the giver's part. Not when you are in the higher ranks. The deed done is enough recognition. Being thanked is a courtesy on the receiver's end. That being said... Again, it is all a matter of choice. There is no right or wrong in this."

A coy expression slowly spreads across her pretty features.

"Unless you want to piss someone off."

"I think more highly of someone that thanks me for breaking them out of jail or inviting them to a crime. It show respect!  It is also respectful to respond especially with the OC thank you messages because without a large posse of fellow gangsters many a crime would fail, so the persons help is required.  You should thank them for accepting.  All the cash earn't also goes towards achievements and thus experience and cash.  Granted when you are busy it is sometimes a pain to reply to everyone who thank you messages sometimes.

I shall take this opportunity to thank all who have accompanied me to the many art galleries over the last few months, it's been a pleasure"

Bespoke takes out his hip flask, salutes with it and takes a healthy slug of some Irish blended Whiskey before returning it to his inside jacket pocket.

Seraphyna had been listening. She counted the times she had thanked people or felt it was implied.

"I have thanked a few people here and there. I do not do it at all the time as things do get busy and there are other things to respond to. Do I appreciate being thanked? Sure. Do I think less of people if they do not reply to my giving them thanks? Certainly not. At least not for organized crimes or jail breaking.

I think a little less of those that have requested that I take time out of whatever it is I am doing and want me to check with the local drug dealers if they do not say a thank you. Is that weird? Perhaps, but so many people will ask others to take time out. A lot do not, but if the off chance I get the moment to do so, a thank you, would be nice every once in awhile."

Smiling at how short she managed to keep her reply, Seraphyna stepped out of the way.

Some great responses, you have given me some new insight to this subject, and ideas that I hadn't considered.  Pops, that is not something that I had thought about.  I suppose it is a great to way meet people, and I do remember random conversations being created out of a simple thank you. 

Seraphyna, I would have to agree about the local drugs.  Taking time to find specific prices for fellow mafioso is quite different than simply helping one another with crimes.  I too think a thank you is appropriate in this situation.

I guess it does all depend on how one judges the degree of politeness needed.  You opinions have definitely changed my view a bit, and I feel that I may change the way I do things in the future.  While I don't think that I will offer thanks for minor occurrences, I will try to improve at responding to these niceties and getting to know those around me.