I'm from Jersey, from about 3 miles from Elizabeth, where the Decavalcante crime family was (the family that was the basis of the Soprano's).
My friend's Dad was a trucker. The boss..I think his name was something like Big Pete, tried to get him to work for him. This is back in the early 60's or something. So, my friend's Dad just yells at the guy. And he just backs off. Not exactly the way they describe things in the movies. Not that the boss wasn't tough, I think he just respected "civilians" who stood up for themselves.
Anyway, everyone around here has tons of Mafia stories. In real life? Yeah, they are some pretty creepy folks...
Ok....here's one story. I was working with this band guy on some comedy performances. He's Italian. I get invited to his Christmas party. His uncle is there, a mob guy. He starts talking to me. Now, from my experience, when a mob guy starts talking to you, you basically just shut up and listen and hope the conversation ends soon.
So, this guy goes up to me and says, "You know what the %$#@ problem is wit dis society?" I shrugged. He goes, "them %$#@ deer huggers." He was referring to this proposed deer hunt. He thought the animal lovers trying to stop the hunt were "the problem wit society." So, apparently, loansharking, extortion and murder are just fine in his book....but if you try to stop a deer from being killed...well, then you are a ^%$#@ ^%$$@ ^%$#@
True story....