4 ms·

Well if you ask about or mention organized crime, many Sicilians will just ignore the subject as if it was never spoken of, gaslighting. Eventually they might l

by eecc 7y ago

Well if you ask about or mention organized crime, many Sicilians will just ignore the subject as if it was never spoken of, gaslighting. Eventually they might lose patience and rebut that “the Mafia doesn’t exist”, “it’s just a fantasy of the Continentals”. And act offended, bloody idiots... (before you downvote, it’s family, i can see how this denial has devastated and is still hurting a whole country so rich of potential. I claim my prerogative to be bitter and angry at them.)

ianai 7y ago
I’m sorry it appears you lost someone(s)
- jfengel 7y ago
  I don't want to speak on the OP's behalf, but it sounds as if they're complaining about something more systemic. Corruption throws sand in the gears of an economy. Italy is mentioned in the same breath with Greece as being on the verge of economic collapse. I don't know how much of that can really be pinned on organized crime, but it certainly wouldn't help.
davidw 7y ago
Lived in Padova with Sicilian roomates for a year, and they certainly talked about it. I mean, they kind of roll their eyes if it's the first thing someone mentions, because Sicily is an incredible, beautiful place with great food, beaches and Mt Etna - it's much more than the stereotype from the movies. But it's an undeniable fact of life just the same.
- thefounder 7y ago
  I bet Medellin is such a great place too but who is to blame for its reputation? It's just that the locals got used with the families/cartels so they may not be bothered by the crime syndicates that much.
  - davidw 7y ago
    It's not an easy problem to solve. If you're the only one to speak up - or even a visible person - you or your family might get hurt or killed. These are very nasty, brutal people that run these organizations. I was just trying to make the point that a lot of Sicilians do talk openly about it, but might react poorly if that's like the first thing you blurt out when you speak to them.
- eecc 7y ago
  Wonderful city, what did you do there? University by any chance?

by eecc 7y ago

ianai 7y ago

I’m sorry it appears you lost someone(s)

jfengel 7y ago
I don't want to speak on the OP's behalf, but it sounds as if they're complaining about something more systemic. Corruption throws sand in the gears of an economy. Italy is mentioned in the same breath with Greece as being on the verge of economic collapse. I don't know how much of that can really be pinned on organized crime, but it certainly wouldn't help.

davidw 7y ago

Lived in Padova with Sicilian roomates for a year, and they certainly talked about it. I mean, they kind of roll their eyes if it's the first thing someone mentions, because Sicily is an incredible, beautiful place with great food, beaches and Mt Etna - it's much more than the stereotype from the movies. But it's an undeniable fact of life just the same.

thefounder 7y ago
I bet Medellin is such a great place too but who is to blame for its reputation? It's just that the locals got used with the families/cartels so they may not be bothered by the crime syndicates that much.
- davidw 7y ago
  It's not an easy problem to solve. If you're the only one to speak up - or even a visible person - you or your family might get hurt or killed. These are very nasty, brutal people that run these organizations. I was just trying to make the point that a lot of Sicilians do talk openly about it, but might react poorly if that's like the first thing you blurt out when you speak to them.
eecc 7y ago
Wonderful city, what did you do there? University by any chance?