I see. It's even deeper than what I thought.
Any trader From Italy?
- Thread starter Big_M_Surfer
- Start date
I see. It's even deeper than what I thought.
I tell you this as an Italian: Mafia does exist.
I went to Sicily and saw this myself; I couldn't figure before.
You can't run a business unless you pay your dues. You can't have water unless you pay your dues.
Don't expect to see "picciotti" (mobsters) running the streets with their shotguns; but everywhere there is a successful business then the owner is paying his dues.
But this goes beyond the scope of this thread.
Hello:
I agree that Mafia exists. My great grandfather came from Napoli to the United States a long time ago, but as a child he told us many stories of the way things were when he was young. I remember clearly his stories of the "black hand" (mafiosi who wore black leather gloves and carried shotguns) who were enforcers for the families. I still have a photo of a sicilian laborer near the docks. His shirt is off and on his chest the words "viva la malavita". Yes they existed once, and in some places, they exist to this day.
Steve
I agree that Mafia exists. My great grandfather came from Napoli to the United States a long time ago, but as a child he told us many stories of the way things were when he was young. I remember clearly his stories of the "black hand" (mafiosi who wore black leather gloves and carried shotguns) who were enforcers for the families. I still have a photo of a sicilian laborer near the docks. His shirt is off and on his chest the words "viva la malavita". Yes they existed once, and in some places, they exist to this day.
Steve
I tell you this as a Swiss : mafia exists in Switzerland too... and in the US, and in Russia, and in Thailand, and etc.... if you think this kind of thing just happen in Italy, it means you are whatever blind or deaf.
This epinal image of SICILY=MAFIA is just typical, stupid and insulting to sicilian people.
I disagree with you: I run a business in southern France and I have no evidence of mafia existing there. The same business in Sicily would not be possible unless dues were paid to local mafia "don".
I know what I am saying.
It is also a sad fact that sicilian people are ready to confirm that mafia exists and strognly affects their lives. So, why would truth be insulting to them? Obviously, if you go to Sicily as a tourist you'll find the friendliest people in the world. It is a also almost everywhere a safe place, perhaps even more than most other Italian cities. But try to open any business there and you'll learn a different aspect, and a less pleasant one, of Sicily.
As you say, you live in south of France...and have not YET heard of the local mafia.
So you live in Sicily ? You are Sicilian ?
No, I am not. But I was there long enough to learn for myself.
I know your next reply...
BTW. In Italy those who most strongly contend against existance and power of the mafia are usually those who have the strongest interest in its existance, i.e. those belonging to a family or those supporting it...
