Well I've been sitting here contemplating for some time now. Everyday we see people either telling stories about their adventures or we see people shit stirring and starting debates in the streets between fellow mobsters. I could sit here and rattle away about why I haven't been around lately (not that anybody would have noticed) or I could start a friendly debate here in the streets. I finally come to the conclusion of choosing the latter. Lets have a nice friendly debate shall we?

So what do you think is better; coming to the streets and posing a question, or coming to the streets to regale about some recent adventures you've had? Does one make you respect one more than the other, or do you appreciate the fact that both can come to the streets and show themselves and make themselves known?

Croccifixio leans against a lamp post and waits for whoever was listening to offer some insight on his question.

Alfonse hears the New Orleans Boss speaking out and offers up some insight. "Croccifixio, we have never met before, though I think I can see what you are referring to here. Is it better one way or another? No, I don't beleive so. When I first arrived here, the streets were solely a venue for debates and discussions. Since that time, stories have been told in addition to the various debates which have been born and have helped to advance our way of life.

I for one think they co-exist quite well. On the other hand, it is now necessary for them to with the recent changes made by the gods. This change allows us to see each other better rewarding more people who approach the streets and speak."

By no means, Anything can be better than a good quality and well thought speech Either a story or a question that will lead to debate. If it is a story, it must be interesting, good storyline, it must be relevant in what we do mafia specifically and most of all an impact to the audience by making a good climax and ending. If it is a debate, then the propostion must be interesting, time driven, related to the operations of Cosa Nostra and most importantly it must be stated clearly.

To summarize all my blabbering, Streets welcomes speeches, either story or debate. The best one and mafiosos like me are looking forward to are those speeches that is well thought and good quality

It depends. As you pointed out, there are generally two different types of street appearances - Which I suppose include the "Lots of people died - here's what happened" accounts, and the unmentioned, often rare but present gambling operations that come and go. To answer the original question - No, one does not make me respect a speech over another. So long as it's well thought out and filled with some meaning, I'm content.

Marco listens to what his friend has to say, an interesting point he thought to himself as he fumbles in his pocket for his packet of smokes, lighting one up Marco begins to speak...

"The streets are a good place to voice one's opinions and to debate certain things but its also nice to read stories here and there adds a bit of fun to things so for me none of them are better than the other, we need them both to co exist"

I think neither is better then the other, the wide variety of posts is what makes the streets, unique, and therefore as Marco stated, both should co exist.

A grinning Sylvestro steps out onto the stoop. I can tell you I like both, but even better in my book is the story about an adventure that stirs shit and creates controversial debates. A cornucopia of street action, that's the ticket.

Mnirem nods to himself and thinks back far.

"Yes, both are rather entertaining and important, and the streets are the streets. No one person has control over them, we all have the rights to them. There is one thing that I never seem to see anywhere now, though. You never see all those fellers talking on in a group about adventures they had together. All of the people getting together. Just not common anymore. Hm."

I like people that start shit. Nothings better than seeing a GF come to the streets and say the famous, "When you talk about someone from my city, you talk about me", and than seeing red pop up everywhere.  Shortly after, the leader of the mobster who started the shit talking speech comes out and kisses the ass of the GF whose just killed 4 or 5 of their members (who've all responded to that speech) just to save his own ass.

Ow how I love to see this. One should be coming around soon, we haven't had one lately.

Marley smiles, lites a joint, and remembers past instances as he waits for some jackass to make this mistake

Pepper listens to Croccifixio and mulls the question over a short while before responding. 

I think too much of either is kind of a bore after a while, especially when the story isn't very original, just the same old shoot em up kind of thing or if the argument isn't very compelling. It's nice to be able to listen to a good story and then debate over something with fellow mobsters. 

Zeus was walking down the Street when he heard a debate about whether it would be better to start a debate or tell a story and he decided to add his own two cents to it.

Well, While I agree it is better to start a debate rather than tell a story.I also feel that those who are low ranked, like me. it could be rather scary to stand up and start a debate in the presence of Dons and Godfathers.I hope that is also taken into consideration before we make any judgements about the lack of proper debate in the Streets.

ZEUS

Ok 1) It's rare that I introduce myself to a lower rank unless I knew your father and 2) if you want people to "notice" that you haven't been on then talk to people more often and become friends. 

Now as for telling a story or starting a debate, eh, that's a tough one I suppose because I love interesting stories and debating (at times) can be fun.  So I would have to go with telling a story or my own 3rd option...reading a story to my beloved Teddy at night tucked away in bed with my gun under my pillow while eating a can of beans with a bit of CheeseGremlin sprinkled on top.

I have accounts of when the streets where full of people talking and gossiping about this thing of ours.

I know that personally I would rather there be more topics of debate than stories, but a good story can sometimes keep me goin on a bad day. So its really more about the quality of what you are saying to me.

Champ decides to speak his view.

Some people come to the streets and speak all day others not enough.

As mafia we should not be worried about talking in the streets money and guns talk.

Talking gets you killed someetimes take it from me I should know.

Deciding to throw yet another opinion on the mound, Tyrion steps forward discarding his cigarette along with his concern.

Personally, I don't listen to stories in our streets. In fact, as soon as I have heard enough words to see that the speaker intends to deliver a story, I just move along. I have yet to stand and listen to an entire story in my entire life. To quote a popular singer "It says nothing to me about my life".

He looks around and see's a few ruffled feathers. The gentle hearted darlings clearly needed some reassurance.

Look, I have absolutely no issue with anyone telling a story. I think there is great deal of benefit stories can have and they provide some escape on the more mundane days. People can give valuable lessons and make many useful points. I have nothing against them at all. I will just never read one. That's a personal choice not a suggested view for all.

To me the street's real value is in current affairs. Be that debate, policy changes, recent war accounts or whatever. I come here to get a feel for current events and keep abreast of emerging faces. Like all shoe-shine boys and bent cops, its a way to get information, to hear the latest, to keep a finger firmly on the pulse. It's also a tool and a measure, a sounding board against which all ideas and mobsters can be measured. Yes it takes a little more bravery to speak about something topical or ask the community a question but it also shows balls and initiative. Two very desirable qualities in an ascending mobster.

As I said it's just a personal view. I don't wish to cause offence to the more theatrical among you.

Lets face it, debates are more popular because people pefer to complain.  Speaches drawing attention to pickpocketing, or wacking, or whatever else the common mafioso is unhappy with at the time will always have a larger audience.  People will feel the need to throw their two cents in, (except the people getting pickpocketed as two cents seems like too much for them) which in turn draws the response of people disagreeing.

Stories, however interesting they are leave not a lot of room for replies and such.  Therefore, to draw attention to yourself and speaches make sure you rehash and old argument that has no conclusion.

Debates are not people complaining. There are speeches that are whining children moaning their little arses off. That is not a debate.

A debate is putting forth your view, why you think you are right, what you think can be done to correct the wrong you see and the pros and cons of such a change are then discussed. You will then either be agreed with or argued with. Not because these people love to complain and throw their 'two cents in'. It's because some people like to improve this world beyond where it currently stands. If you don't ask the question then you won't get an answer.

As for the pickpocketing comment. That whole speech obviously went far far over your head. But nevermind.

I think it's pretty clear that debates generate the most interest.  Just look at the attention that a good debate will bring as opposed to a good story which will often be told to one or two lonely listeners.  And Scandia, I don't think StackBundles has a base understanding of respect and disrespect, so I wouldn't pay it a whole lot of attention.  The day that it's OK for a pubescent little twerp to come after my pockets just because it's "only $5,000" will be a cold day in hell.  But back on topic - an argument in the streets is far more captivating (anyone care to disagree?)

The Streets are a vastly unappreciated commodity within MafiaReturns.

Our society is built upon power; those that have it making the rules for those that don't to follow. The Streets allow everyone, powerful and powerless to step into the 'game'. I'm not referring to our society there, I mean the 'game' that dictates pretty much every event within our lives.

Don't know what am I talking about?

Alright, succeeding in MafiaReturns isn't just about doing your petties, paying your tributes and training your gun. It is about understanding how the game is played and who is playing it. You'll be able to identify most of the power players within MafiaReturns because we address the majority as 'Don' or 'Godfather', which is easy enough. However, why do the same bloodlines rise to the top, regardless of the regime in charge? Why do the same families get recycled as RHM? LHM? Hitsquad leaders?

They understand the game and they know how to play it.

A large majority of this is played out in the Streets, unbeknownst to a lot of the other mobsters paying attention to the same discussion. A lot of the time it isn't what you say, it is how you say it. I was fortunate to have a wonderful grounding in the Mafia and seemed to have a near perfect understanding of it from an early age - lucky me. Anyway, this can be problematic as a young Gangster keen to impress, how do you do it? You play the game. You make the right noises, that get your point across but you do it respectfully. You understand who you can correct and who you can't. You pick and choose what to say and who to say it to. You build a reputation without rubbing too many people who may be important in your rise the wrong way.

Now, I know that you can progress to a certain level without engaging in these sorts of games. However, many people find themselves hitting something of a glass ceiling, they can get the rank, but they can't make the impact and eventually they get outplayed and don't see the pieces on the board being moved.

A lot of this shadow dancing can be seen daily on the streets usually masked behind false smiles, deceptive praise and whole host of naughty little tricks employed to elevate and manipulate. One misstep in this awkward dance however and rather like the puppet show when the audience sees the strings, the illusion is shattered.

I will use a somewhat contemporary example to illustrate one of the finer points of gamesmanship within MafiaReturns. Mux got into a fairly heated argument with a Made Man from Los Angeles. This was being discussed in a coffee shop nearby, wondering what the reaction would be from Los Angeles as Deimne became embroiled within the discussion, as did a RHM from LA. Now, I knew then head of LA, PlumonousJelly was an experienced practitioner of the 'game' and I knew all he would do was to clean up shop and appease the Godfather. He assessed the playing field and saw how unbalanced it was against him, but he acted quickly and decisively - problem solved.

That could quite easily have cost him his city, instead it took 1 bullet, a well constructed speech in the streets and the world continues to spin. This is the finest aspect of the Streets and the most enjoyable game to play.

Scandia I am unsure why you took my comments so personally, but if you felt that I was refering to you when I talked about complaining clearly your too self-conscious.

Also stop promoting your speaches in other peoples threads.  Just because you started a debate about pickpocketing (which Im pretty sure is NOT an orignal debate) does not mean you were who I was speaking about.

But...  since your such a keener to jump on the defend the poor people being pickpocketed band wagon, and clearly are a lil short changed

Your accountant makes note that $1 has been wired to Scandia from your account.

Now you can throw your two cents around a little more liberally...  But dont spend it all in one place :D