Oddly enough, since I started writing about life in Italy, I've only really brushed over the subject of an Italian 'brand' which is as well known to those outside Italy as pizza.This brand, is of course, the Mafia.It is perhaps more correct to say 'mafias' because in Italy there are many, but … [Read more...]
Mafia to the Left of Me, Mafia to the Right
May 23, 2008 By Leave a Comment
I've been pondering this for quite a while, and my Italian other half has more than said as much. When you think about it, it is pretty obvious - the Mafia is divided politically. Well, in a sense.There appear to be Mafia groups which 'sponsor' those politicians and parties who lean to the left, … [Read more...]
The pizzo
September 4, 2007 By 1 Comment
If you did not know, and I'm willing to bet you did not, a 'pizzo' is a payment to Sicilian gentlemen in exchange for their 'protection'.You could view it as being a type of insurance policy, in that if you do pay up, your shop/business will not end up looking rather charred and you will stand … [Read more...]
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