Would you visit someone who was potentially in the mafia?

[PennyRoyleTea]

Say you’re meant to visiting someone next year and staying with them with your DH. Say jokes had been made about this person being in the mafia for a long time but you’d never met them and assumed it was just jokes. Then you realise it may not be entirely fiction. Would you still go?

Yeah I’d go. You don’t know anything for sure.

where are they located?

I would go yeah but only because I would want to bombard them with all sorts of questions about the ins and outs of it lol I would find it fascinating but I suspect that they wouldn't like that very much and I would find myself buried under some concrete somewhere lol.

Southern Italy. It’s not been confirmed but it sounds very much like he is. I’ve been told not to worry because “it’s not like it is in the films” which basically confirms it doesn’t it?!

It could well be that your leg is being pulled, or it could be that this person genuinely has links to organised crime. I’d want to find out for sure, and if the latter I wouldn’t go. There are people in Italy who risk their lives to stand against these organisations. Turning a blind eye, if it is true, is icky.

Definitely go.

Take a horses head as a present. Mafia members really appreciate this.

I would take some cannoli but not any guns.

🐴

I once had dinner with a retired South American <ahem>
"freedom fighter". It happened via a friend of a friend, all South Americans, this was in the 90s and I was a silly and reckless student. But now, as a middle aged mother with life experience and a decade worth of Mumsnetting I am a lot more suspicious and cautious so no I don't recommend you meet a Mafia man.

I'd definitely go. I'd also not give much sway to what has been said. Make your own mind up, try not to be biased against held preconceptions.

Me too!

Would you visit someone you suspect to be involved in organised crime (drug, weapon, people smuggling) murder and extortion in the UK?

I wouldn’t go. People make jokes about horses heads and stuff, but if he is genuinely involved in the mafia then give him a wide berth. Firstly he’s dangerous and any involvement with him carries an element of risk. Secondly, the mafia do lots of damage to other people. In turning blind eye you are part of the corrupt system that allows this damage to happen. This isn’t a laughing matter. These people should be ostracised.

I would go. Their hospitality would be second to none as they have no reason to be cross with you

Just don't say you hate their cooking😂

No, I don't want to spend time around people who have done god knows what to others.

No

I'd not go

No, I wouldn't!

I don’t think most Mafia people make it clear they’re a member lol 🙄

If I were to go I would be incredibly polite and bring a gift ..... eeek!

I'd definitely go. Be thrilling to say the least

When you get there, speak softly, love.

No

With the economy the way it is, I'd be going and subtly hinting I'm available for minor jobs in return for cases full of cash 😂

JK, but I'd definitely go and suss it out. Good family stories for grandchildren if nothing else 😏

Probably, but then I could do with more excitement and adventure in my life.

You know, I'd really, really want to! Curiosity, the expectation of lavishly warm hospitality, gossip potential.

But I wouldn't. What they do is disgusting. Being an appreciative guest would be a mild form of collaboration, and the hospitality's paid for in human blood.

As an aside, I was fascinated by the Italian towns receiving far more efficient lockdown relief from the Mafia than from the government! I had (and still have) no idea what I'd have done in their shoes - it's a blatant PR and recruitment exercise by serious criminals, and it's rarely a good idea to owe anything to such organisations. But they needed the care packages.