This made me think of MTV's depiction of the Jersey shore. Yikes.

ETA: The "yikes" is aimed at MTV and not Jersey shore people.

I swear it's like night and day around here. One minute I'm being slammed because I DO provide sources (apparently that is "pathetic", the next minute I'm being slammed because I haven't provided sources. Make up your minds.

At any rate, I'm actually in shock that no one else heard about the family connections to the mob. You can even read about it if you do a simple google search. In fact that you probably be better because then you can pick your own sources. All the stuff you all mention in relation to why people might think they are mob is stuff that I don't know anything about. I haven't seen The View, I haven't seen any commercials with slogans or anything of the like.


On another note, I am upset that I forgot to watch this week's episode. Hopefully I will be able to catch a repeat.

Okay maybe that is YOUR sterepotype. Most people I know don't use those things you mentioned as a "guideline" for saying someone is Mob. They typically base it on information such as occupation, family and friend associations, knowledge of dealings with "members" of mob families. Things like that. Your NJ-accent-Italian "thing" is just...baffling.

lol to learn about a culture and have questions is one thing. I've learned A LOT on Greekchat and I try to understand. I think I've "grown up" a lot on here in terms of my opinions.

Ok just re-read the link that was posted in the first post. I thought Teresa was part of the family too somehow?

I have never been involved in any thread or discussion with you where this has been a problem, if I had done this I wouldn't ask, but I did, and you don't want to provide them. I could do a google search, but you're the one making statements and I want to see what you've come up with, if I wanted to support myself I can do that as I previously stated I've done coursework on the history of organized crime in America. You have the opportunity to provide me with information I don't have, if you don't want to do that be Bobby Brown as it is your prerogative. I also haven't watched The View. I am asking YOU because YOU made statements.

Yes, I did make statements. However, one thing I have always done is to find sources of information for myself. I'm not sure why you refuse to do that. The information is available...and it isn't just some gossipy rag type of stuff either.

And the fact that you have done coursework on organized crime in American means what exactly? I don't really know where you are going with that. Even the most extensive research on organized crime in America won't turn up every single name of every mobster or everyone who was associated with them. I have a friend whose dad was definitely involved in mob activity, but I doubt you would find information about him in doing your research. Typically organized crime in America just focuses on the bigger names and most well-known families.

I lived in Short Hills, NJ for years when I was younger, and trust me, I never ran across anyone who would dress in tight leopard print, talk like a truck driver, or carry around $100,000 in cash.

Last month, I spent a week racing in a regatta at NYYC in Newport, RI, and stayed with a couple from NJ who are members and own a cottage by the club. They were extremely genteel and well mannered, and dressed in a way that (according to GC) could be considered "southern," complete with VV, Polo, khaki slacks, needlepoint belts, topsiders, etc. They would have fit right in had they dropped into Mississippi :)

So, I guess some "northern old money" is different than others, just as it is anywhere.

I like the people on this show, they are fun to watch, and perhaps they are completely the norm in the area of northern NJ that is heavily populated with Italians, but they are not the norm for all northern old money.

And, not all southern monied folks are "prim and proper" - that's why they get cut. ;)

But you essentially overrode all of that understanding when you went on that soapbox.

You're right. I should have added that that was my opinion now, and not when I was a young, uninformed GCer back then. (it doesn't just come with years on GC, it comes with age. I was young back then)

Srmom: that was my point. That not everyone who has money... or who doesn't... acts the same. You just can't assume things about people from the way they look or act. This comment:

makes me even MORE glad that I was raised up here. I know the comment was meant to be light-hearted, but many Southerners do feel that way. (and I learned that on GC) I'm so glad that I could join an organization and be myself and I didn't have to worry about impressing everyone under the sun. And that I could wear jeans and a tshirt to football games. Splinters wouldn't feel so great on those wooden benches.

Thank You! That's what I was trying to say. I've lived in Ct all my life and spend my summer on Nantucket. What you see on this show is not "northern old money" not by a long shot.

Thanks for the entertainment. I could have found them myself but you claim I'd only support my ideas with my research. If you went back many posts I mentioned my coursework as I was going to use it to back up what I said. The annotated bibliography and sources from my papers and course actually show that the stereotypes and much of anything related to Italian organized crime wasn't true, and isn't true. I would still like to know how these people are connected (according to YOU).

You won't provide any supplementing information because you don't have any, if it does exist post it, but since you refuse to, you know how it makes your statements look. I won't ask again for any supporting evidence or documentation because you don't have it, and honestly I never thought you did.

Are you talking about Italian organized crime, in general, or just this show?

If you're talking in general, I want to know the names of these researchers and the specific research methodologies.

It was four years ago this summer, I'll work on digging out what I've got that isn't my own research. Mostly it was that Italian organized crime, and the stereotypes that come with it, are not in the majority of organized crime in America. The class spanned the origins in Europe with Black Hand and how the traditional Italian groups are being edged out by Russian, Asian, and groups from Central and South America. We repeatedly discussed Mafia Myths and how things from the 20s still permeate today, especially with popular culture and the media.

When I learned of that episode, my friends and I were so excited that they were running something about us. Within 5 minutes, we realized that MTV seems to think Jersey Shore Girls live in North Jersey. Uhm, no. There are actually people who DO live here year round with more interesting lives than that. But I digress. :p

Actually, one of my personal favorites [on an Italian note] is the "I'm getting married." ... "I WILL GUT YOU LIKE A FISH!"

Has anyone else made the 'real' connection to The Sopranos? Danielle worked at Satin Dolls, the shooting location of Bada Bing.

Haha the "I'm getting married" one was my favorite. As crazy as he was, they were my favorite couple.

I caught the book episode last night. Danielle is crazy! I fear for Jacqueline sticking around. I really like her. She seems so down to earth. And I loved her comment about getting plastic surgery on her ovaries so the sperm would like them more.