Former Hitman Explains the Secret Code of the Mafia | Unspoken Rules | Daily Mail

Former Hitman Explains the Secret Code of the Mafia | Unspoken Rules | Daily Mail
Quizzed ESL Activities

Summary

The Mafia: A World of Respect, Trust, and Discretion

A former enforcer for the Gambino family, John Ali, shares his experiences and the unspoken rules of the mafia, including the golden rule of not talking to law enforcement, and recounts how he learned the ways of the mafia from a young age, emphasizing the importance of respect, trust, and discretion.

Hierarchy and Rules

The Mafia has a strict hierarchy and set of rules, with members showing respect to higher-ranking individuals and following a chain of command. Meetings and gatherings, such as at the Bergen Club, are mandatory and punctuality is expected. Refusing to attend or follow orders can have severe consequences, as seen in the case of Lou DeBono, who was killed for refusing to meet with John Gotti.

  • Members must show respect to higher-ranking individuals
  • Follow a chain of command
  • Attend mandatory meetings and gatherings
  • Punctuality is expected

Upbringing and Values

The speaker grew up around men involved in the mob world, including Andy Riano and his son Albert, and was raised with certain values and expectations. They were taught to carry themselves with class and dignity, dressing like gentlemen, and to protect their neighborhood.

  • Dress like gentlemen
  • Protect their neighborhood

Leadership and Code of Conduct

A leader, referred to as John, had specific rules and preferences for his associates, including dressing conservatively, driving certain cars, and following a strict code of conduct when interacting with him.

  • Dress conservatively
  • Drive certain cars
  • Follow a strict code of conduct when interacting with the leader
  • Respect assigned seating arrangements
  • Wait for the leader to eat before eating themselves

Social Club Setting

In a social club setting, there are unspoken rules to follow, such as not initiating conversation until the leader does, and engaging in small talk about sports, TV, or women. Outside, business discussions take place, often involving lucrative but illicit activities like the numbers game or bookmaking.

  • Do not initiate conversation until the leader does
  • Engage in small talk about sports, TV, or women
  • Business discussions take place outside
  • Illicit activities like the numbers game or bookmaking are common

Changes in the Mafia Code of Conduct

The Mafia code of conduct has changed, with modern members engaging in unacceptable behavior such as using drugs, pimping underage girls, and killing women, without facing consequences. The traditional rules and loyalty have been lost, and the modern Mafia is not what it used to be, with some members exhibiting serial killer-like behavior.

Daily Routine and Camaraderie

Gotti would often ask people to remove their glasses, not because he literally meant it, but because he wanted to see their eyes and gauge their sincerity. The daily routine consisted of meeting at Richie’s Cafe, eating, and socializing with other Gambino family members and associates, often discussing business and making plans.

Importance of Confidence and Swagger

The speaker discusses the importance of carrying oneself with confidence and swagger, particularly in the context of street life and organized crime. They note that true street smarts and success are not about flashy displays of wealth, but rather about demeanor, mannerisms, and humility.

Key Vocabulary

Term Definition Example Usage
Enforcer A person who ensures that rules or laws are obeyed, often in a violent or intimidating manner. John Ali was an enforcer for the Gambino family, responsible for maintaining order and discipline within the organization.
Hierarchy A system of organization in which people or things are ranked in order of importance or status. The Mafia has a strict hierarchy, with members showing respect to higher-ranking individuals and following a chain of command.
Chain of Command A series of ranks or positions in an organization, with each level having authority over the one below it. In the Mafia, members are expected to follow a chain of command, with orders and decisions flowing from the top down.
Punctuality The quality of being on time or arriving at the expected moment. In the Mafia, punctuality is expected, and members who fail to arrive on time may face consequences.
Code of Conduct A set of rules or principles that guide behavior and decision-making. The Mafia has a strict code of conduct, with rules governing behavior, dress, and interactions with others.
Associate A person who is connected or affiliated with a particular group or organization. John Ali was an associate of the Gambino family, working closely with other members and leaders.
Illicit Activities Activities that are illegal or against the law. The Mafia is often involved in illicit activities, such as the numbers game, bookmaking, and other forms of organized crime.
Swagger A confident and stylish way of walking or behaving. In the context of street life and organized crime, carrying oneself with confidence and swagger is seen as important for success and respect.
Street Smarts Practical knowledge and experience of how to survive and succeed in a tough or challenging environment. True street smarts and success are not about flashy displays of wealth, but rather about demeanor, mannerisms, and humility.
Organized Crime Crime that is planned and carried out by a group of people, often with a hierarchical structure and a division of labor. The Mafia is a classic example of organized crime, with a strict hierarchy and a range of illicit activities.

Watch The Video

Former Hitman Explains the Secret Code of the Mafia | Unspoken Rules | Daily Mail

Vocabulary Quiz

1. What is the primary expectation for members in the Mafia hierarchy?

A) To disobey orders from higher-ranking individuals
B) To follow a chain of command and show respect
C) To refuse attendance at mandatory meetings
D) To engage in illicit activities without permission

2. How were the speaker and others like him raised in the mob world?

A) They were taught to be aggressive and violent
B) They were raised with no values or expectations
C) They were taught to carry themselves with class and dignity, dressing like gentlemen, and to protect their neighborhood
D) They were encouraged to cooperate with law enforcement

3. What is a key aspect of interacting with a leader in the Mafia?

A) Initiating conversation without being spoken to
B) Following a strict code of conduct and dressing conservatively
C) Engaging in business discussions during social gatherings
D) Disregarding assigned seating arrangements

4. What has happened to the traditional Mafia code of conduct over time?

A) It has become more strict and traditional
B) It has remained unchanged and is still adhered to
C) It has been lost, with modern members engaging in unacceptable behavior without consequences
D) It has been replaced with a new, more modern code

5. What does the speaker believe is the true measure of street smarts and success?

A) Flashy displays of wealth and material possessions
B) Demeanor, mannerisms, and humility
C) Physical strength and aggression
D) The ability to disobey orders and challenge authority

Answer Key:

1. B
2. C
3. B
4. C
5. B

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: The Use of Gerunds and Infinitives

The use of gerunds and infinitives is a crucial aspect of English grammar, particularly at the CEFR C1 level. Gerunds are verbs ending in -ing that function as nouns, while infinitives are verbs beginning with to that can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. In the context of the provided text, gerunds and infinitives are used to describe the activities and rules of the mafia, such as following a chain of command, attending mandatory meetings, and engaging in small talk. For example, the sentence “Members must show respect to higher-ranking individuals by following a chain of command” uses the gerund following to describe the action of obeying the hierarchy. Similarly, the sentence “A leader had specific rules and preferences for his associates, including driving certain cars” uses the gerund driving to describe the action of operating a vehicle. Infinitives are also used, such as in the sentence “The speaker grew up to carry themselves with class and dignity”, where the infinitive to carry describes the purpose of the speaker’s upbringing. Understanding the correct use of gerunds and infinitives is essential for effective communication at the CEFR C1 level.

Grammar Quiz:

Choose the correct form of the verb in parentheses to complete each sentence.

1. The mafia members were taught (to carry / carrying) themselves with class and dignity from a young age.

A) to carry

B) carrying

C) to be carrying

D) carry

2. The leader’s associates were expected (to follow / following) a strict code of conduct when interacting with him.

A) follow

B) to be following

C) following

D) to follow

3. The speaker grew up (to learn / learning) the ways of the mafia from his family and friends.

A) learning

B) to learn

C) to be learning

D) learn

4. The mafia members were required (to attend / attending) mandatory meetings and gatherings at the Bergen Club.

A) attend

B) to attend

C) attending

D) to be attending

5. The leader’s preference was (to drive / driving) certain cars, such as luxury vehicles.

A) driving

B) to drive

C) to be driving

D) drive

Answer Key:

1. A) to carry

2. D) to follow

3. B) to learn

4. B) to attend

5. B) to drive