Use Your Instinct Regularly (Mafioso-Askmen.com)

I got a call from my stockbroker. He told me to buy Company X, because it does this and that, and that I shouldn't even care about what it does, because thestock price will go from $1 to $10 by tomorrow. So I buy, because my brokerknows the consequences of bad advice, and the stock goes up to $5 the next day.He tells me to stay in because the stock can still go up a lot more. My instincts say, don't be greedy, get out. I get out of the stock and it drops to $0.50 the next day. I'm happy, my broker is even happier because he'll liveto see his 30th birthday, and I reward my gut feeling by going to Spago's for apasta dinner.

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We've all been in situations where we had to press the override button in ourbrain and follow our gut feeling. Our gut is there to outline the difference between profitable and non-profitable. Our brain can tackle all the other moral dilemmas everybody seems to care about. When making a decision that affects your wallet (women fall into this category, because being involved with a woman always involves dishing out the cash), don'tlisten to your brain. Brains are there to remind you of people's names, as wellas the PIN number of your Swiss bank account, not as a decision making tool.

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How many of us have been in the middle of a negotiation when all of a sudden, we see the other guy across the table flinch for a split second about something.Our gut tells us something is wrong. We immediately end the meeting and find outlater that the guy almost made us buy 10,000 acres of swampland in Florida. So maybe this situation didn't exactly happen to everybody, but everyone has a similar story. In life, and especially in business, what sets you apart from therats is your intuition, the little voice that says whack him with a hammer ordump him in the East River.

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The brain is packed with lessons that other people tried to teach you, while your gut feeling is not something you can take acourse in at your local junior college. Most of my readers know that I've been involved with both the legitimate andnot-so-legitimate side of business. In both these worlds, there is one rule; eator be eaten.

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To survive in the legitimate and illegitimate world of business, you must follow your instincts religiously. The guys who make it have 10% brain,10% gut instincts, and 80% luck. That extra 10% gut part is what distinguishest he boys from the men, in business. If you are stuck on a decision, just follow your instincts and ignore the brain.Want to make an investment choice? Chose what you think is going to go up. Want to start a business? Forget what your banker says, if you think it will work, go for it.

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You have a funny feeling about your fiancée? Show her the door. There are some men that will argue that following your gut is what women do,except women call it following their feelings. So I ask this, out of the 50 times your wife or girlfriend accused you of cheating, wasn't she only rightmaybe 15 or 20 times? So much for women's instincts. These clowns say men arelogical and must think things through. Right. While Wilbert stays in his room,figuring things out, money is being made and lost everyday. I'll join the realworld, pal.

True, we [men] are logical, and we should use some logic when making a decision.Of coarse, when driving in an unfamiliar neighborhood, I don't say I'll let my gut tell me where to find this freakin' place. No, I use a map, like any logicalperson would. But when I'm filling up my gas tank and some guy giving off badvibes approaches me at the gas station, I won't wait for him to pull out his knife to come up with a logical solution. I'll likely use a weapon that I have next to my gut, to annihilate the turkey. Use your judgment people. I don't want people emailing me that they gambledtheir house on a roulette table, because their gut told him the next number was5. I'll personally bash your head in because of your pure stupidity.

Be smart,and know when to make decisions by using your gut. You might not always be right but at least you leave destiny in your hands. Who knows, that stock pick could double or triple, and maybe your fiancée isn't as bad as you thought...
Watch your back boys and keep your noses clean. (taken from http://www.askmen.com/)

ReSpects (Mafioso -Askmen.com)

Respect. Everyone wants it, few get it. Why? I'll tell you why. Respect is earned, never given. And nowadays, with ourrush to do everything yesterday, few have the will, patience, or perseverance needed to be truly respected. Like drinking a good espresso, building up respect requires time and an appreciation of the fine details needed to achieve aperfect result.

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Respect is also directly related to your reputation. Build up a rep as a"stand-up guy," and respect will follow as a result. That said, there are ways to speed up the process -- at least in the short-term-- with a few shortcuts. For example, get into any position where you can wield power (real power, not head of the janitor club power) and a certain level of respect is awarded to you, not because you deserve it but because it's part ofthe package of your new position.I had a police commissioner so deep in my pocket at one time that I could spit in his face and have him apologize to me for blocking the path of my saliva, but because of his "post," I refrained from committing such a rude act. I respect the institution of the American Presidency, so I respect the President becauseof his "position," not because he has done anything to deserve my respect.Capisce?

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So, let's be realistic; the majority of you can't afford a Cadillac, much less buy yourselves a powerful position, so what can you do to garner some respect immediatamente? This is where you take out a piece of paper and write down what I am about toreveal because I won't live forever. Here are seven things that won't guarantee you respect, but will lead you in the right direction. What you have to rememberis that these things aren't done once and forgotten -- they have to be part of anew lifestyle and image you project.

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1- Dress the part

Regardless of what you've done in the past, how much money you have in your bank account, how famous you are, or how fat you've become, a man in a well-tailoredsuit will always get treated better than some salame off the street. I'm not talking about just any suit, I mean a well-fitted one, tailored by a man who left his village in the south of Italy to come to America with nothing buthis needling skills and his shoes. This is not a time to be cheap. Get a suit that costs $200 US, and you'll look like $200. Get a suit that costs you $1,000,and you'll look like a million. And don't skimp on the shoes either; buy yourself one good pair at $400 a pop rather than four cheap pairs for $85.Anything made in Italy is automatically better than anything else -- end ofstory. Keep your mouth shut and stick to the truth...

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2- Keep silent

I know all of yous think you're geniuses, but the truth is you aren't. You wouldn't need my advice otherwise. The world would be a toy in the palm of yourhand. So, because you still have a lot to learn, you are better off just shutting your mouth and listening. Be discreet, be mysterious, and only say what's necessary. In fact, don't say anything at all unless you have to. Mistakes are usually made by people who open their traps without good reason. The less someone knows about you, the more likely he'll choose to stay at a respectful distance. When I meet someone for the first time, I politely salute them and take abouttwo minutes before I say anything after that. In the meantime, the clown I just met has just told me where he lives, who he is cheating on his wife with, hiscredit card numbers, and how many Viagra pills he has to use to get it up. Ifyou were a little bird listening in on our conversation, who would you respectmore after the two minutes have passed?

3- Don't lie

If you do have to open your mouth, stick to what you know. If I had a nickel forevery time some cafone I met started talking about crap he didn't know about in order to impress me or get my respect, I'd have two dozen Ferraris in mydriveway. There is no faster way to lose someone's respect than by lying, especially about stupidities. If you don't know something just say, "I can't really comment." It takes a real man to admit his shortcomings. If the other party is courteous,they'll ask you what you do, and then you'll have an opportunity to talk aboutsomething that can make you look like Einstein.

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4- Never smile (keep that for the mistress)

Every time I see a wiseguy showing all his teeth, a picture of a crocodilealways comes to my mind. When you're a man of respect, you're also a man of caution. Smiling is like letting your guard down and may make others thinkyou're a snake or a used car salesman (like my brother-in-law, theson-of-a-bitch always has an alligator smile -- he reeks of cunning). Withhold a smile, and everyone knows that you are a serious man who's not easily impressed. Nine times out of 10, the other person will try even harder to getyour approval. Who respects who in this situation?

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But by all means, show your pearly whites when the doors are closed and yourmistress brings her bisexual Spaniard friend Lola for a little bedroom action.At that point, the only respect you are thinking about is if she sw...

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5- Confidence & humility

I might be stating the obvious, but a man with confidence attracts people like ahooker at a prison camp. Confidence, even if it just includes having a goodswagger, good posture, or good mannerisms, projects the image of someone incontrol, who knows what he's doing and can get the job done. A man withconfidence says, "you can trust my abilities" and "respect my words." Look someone in the eye. A confident man never spots any dirt on his shoesbecause he's never looking down. Remember the fine line between confidence and arrogance. Confidence has to bebalanced with a good dose of humility. Only a jackass likes to brag. Someoneintroduces you and says, "Mr. M is really smart, his organization made $10million last year." You answer, "Even with the greatest leadership skills in the world, without agood crew made of smart soldiers, I couldn't have done anything. A man alonecannot accomplish anything." What have you done? You've acknowledged your abilities while praising other.

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6- Be polite

-reciprocate respect & courtesyWhen you meet someone, you shouldn't smile like a donkey, but you shouldn't beimpolite either. Being guarded doesn't mean you can't be courteous. Good mannersimply refinement, and refinement implies class; a man with class is a man thathas traits worth respecting. No one ever went to war because his enemy was too courteous or polite.Politeness doesn't mean being a wimp either. It means not being a jerk.

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7- Have a good memory

One of the first things I tell the young turks in my crew is to develop a good memory because it won't just save their jackasses one day, it can score them alot of points with business associates. You look like a fool when you don'tremember the name of someone you were introduced to just 30 seconds before. Remembering someone's name and something they told you proves that you are a manwho pays attention to detail, and is attentive, intelligent and savvy. You don'thave to repeat some drunken tirade he told you at your sister's wedding;remembering a name is sufficient, and it makes the person feel good (you getbonus points if you remember something about his kids). And what will he think?"What a stand-up guy, I like him. He even remembered my name."

I'll be the first to admit that I'm no rocket scientist: this advice is prettystraightforward. Some things you probably already do, some you don't. Apply in gall seven of these rules means you have to change your lifestyle, the way youact with people you've known for years, but if it is instant respect you want,you have to pay the price. Just do what I said for a couple of days and you'll see the difference. Walkinto a restaurant in a Canali suit, with your head up and good posture, get atable, and order your food.

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When you get to the wine list, ask the waiter abouta French wine you're not familiar with. Don't say a word to the waiter until the end of the night, except for "thankyou" whenever he brings you something. Don't show your dentures. At the end ofthe evening, repeat what the waiter told you about the wine, and give your ownopinion if you are a connoisseur. Leave a 20% tip. He may only be a waiter butit's a start on the respectability trail. Watch your backs and keep your noses clean (taken from www.askmen.com)
Posted by ReDauLy

A GrEaT WoMaN (MaFioSo-AsKMen.Com)

All right, so I got you to come to this article because of the controversial topic. What now? Well if you are a feminist, or some puffball of a "man" who believes that your only duty is to fulfill a woman's every need, this is whereyou stop reading. The rest of you should read this with a sprinkle of parmesan.

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First off, I love women, and women are very important people. I consider my mama a saint ( Madonna , she makes the best cannoli ), but women live in a man's world and if you ask me, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. You can call me old-fashioned, sexist, or macho; I don't care because I am all those things.

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So what? I have to be this way because in my world, women have a very particular role. Actually, wives have a very particular role. My rules don't apply to single women. If a woman decides not to get married, then she can do whatever she wants, but the minute she says "I do," she has to follow the Old Testament.But since 99.9% of you don't live in my world, these rules won't necessarilyapply in full. So instead of trying to relate every freaking lesson back to yourown sorry life, try to understand the message of what I am saying. Capisce ?

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Behind every great man...You've heard the expression a thousand times, and I'm the first to agree with it. Every man reaches greater heights when he has the right woman by his side. Sure, you can do a lot on your own, but a good support system takes you that much further. And that support comes first and foremost from your home life. I married my wife not because she was a looker or amazing in bed (she used to be both), but because I knew she was willing to sacrifice her own advancement in life for mine.

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It doesn't mean she has to be a babbo that stays home and gets fat while memorizing soap opera dialogue, it just means she understands that she is there to be my brick wall -- to hold me up. She should have her own personality. If her personality is supportive and positive too, it will only enforce your own character. This doesn't mean she can't be an independent woman, I admire independent women, but an independent woman should also help you feel more like a man, not less than one.

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You might be asking, "Mr.Mafioso, why are you giving me this dating advice when you should be giving me tips on power and money?" The answer is simple. Every man who seeks power and fortune increases his chances of getting those things by having a great woman by his side. If you want to be rich and powerful, you have to understand that a great woman is just as important as an MBA. It's an important business lesson some men never learn.

Do you know a great woman?

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Define a great woman

So what makes a great woman? For starters, a great woman doesn't have to be Mother Teresa. I said a great woman, not a saintly woman. A great woman is someone who loves you, supports you, cooks, cleans, loves to have children, and is willing to put up with your character flaws. She is intelligent, savvy,warm-hearted, and completely unselfish. She should empower you and make you stronger. Looks are a bonus. You find a woman like this, get on your knees and propose.

Be wary of women who only care about themselves, constantly voice their opinions, or put you down. You have enough enemies in your life, you don't need one at home. You also don't need a competitive woman interested in whoever hasthe fattest paycheck or biggest corner office; you have enough of these people in your professional life. Women who are vultures do nothing but destroy you as a man. Una brutta willdrain your bank account and try to make you feel like a man with no testicoli .

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Why would you ever be attracted to a materialistic, shallow, waste of space likethat (except as a mistress)? Sure, in "Our Thing," every boss, capo , or button has a side mistress or even aside girlfriend, but without a good wife, you are always a weaker man. A man might stray from time to time, but only cafones don't realize that the love of agreat woman beats out the sexual prowess of some stripper. A great woman knows that her man will always return home.

One last point: Remember that you don't find a great woman at every streetcorner. It takes a bit of luck. If you don't find a great one, whoever you find should at least be a "good" wife. So what's a good wife?

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Role of a wife

A mafia wife should, above all else, support her man. She should raise the kidsbecause she will be better at it than her man. She should know how to cook(mafia or not, every woman should know how to cook, it's a disgrace if shecan't). A mafia wife should also know when to keep her mouth shut. She should know better than to spread gossip or reveal things you've said in private. She should also know that you don't appreciate being asked a million questions. If you want to tell her something, you are going to tell her, right? If she gives you headaches, walk away...

She shouldn't try to give you advice on your work life; you have enough consiglieres around you. She must be your most loyal soldier. In La Cosa Nostra, a woman's infidelity is unforgivable (it's a double standard, that's life), because women have different reasons to be unfaithful than men do (our physicalneeds versus their emotional ones). A good mafia wife won't work as a secretary unless her boss is a woman.

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A goodwife won't work as a waitress, or anywhere she has to look pretty because menare around. She'll work in a factory, in a hair salon, in a church, as a teacheror a caterer, etc. So how does this apply to you? Simple, your woman shouldn't be a hassle, she shouldn't try to change you or run your life. She doesn't have to be your bestfriend either, just loyal and faithful to you. You should never doubt her support; if you do, dump her.

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the mamma

A woman who fulfills the roles I just described is more likely to earn the title of mamma . A mamma is very important, and you know how Italian men are with their mammas. A mamma is like a sacred cow. She has earned the respect of herhusband and children because she has fulfilled her duties. That's why, when it'stime for you to choose your wife, you need mamma's blessing (and her recipes forfuture meals). A good mamma will recognize another good mamma, it's like somefreaking club or something.

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Role of a mistress

The mistress has a very important role in the mafia as well. She is a refuge, an escape, and where you go to get "satisfied." When a mobster's wife starts tolook like Mr. Magoo, you can't fulfill your manly desires with her anymore. So, you look for someone who looks the part. That's what the mistress does; shefulfills your sexual needs. Plus, she looks good on your arm when you go out todinner with the boys.

That's it, that's all. She shouldn't be part of your long-term plans. Give her some money, maybe an apartment, and ciao . Oh yeah. She shouldn't bear any children with you, give you any advice, orinterfere with your home life. She is an accessory, and you should alwaysremember that. We'll always be stronger

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So what did you learn here today?

I hope you learned that a man is only stronger with a woman that makes him stronger. When you find a woman you can build asolid foundation around, marry her, create a family, grow tomatoes in yourgarden, etc. One last point about the ladies, and the reader e-mail of the week...

A woman should be there for her man at all times, and sacrifice her career ifshe has to. It's what the majority of men want, but are too afraid to say outloud anymore. Screw what the feminists are saying, a wife that knows herdomestic role will always get a man. Women have been supporting men, cooking for men, and raising men's children forthousands of years. Why should things be any different now because the yearstarts with a 2 instead of a 1?

One last point. If your woman treats you right, you should treat her right too.If she respects you, you should do the same. And no matter how out of line shegets, remember that only a coward would ever hit a woman. Capisce ?

Watch your backs and keep your noses clean. (taken from www.askmen.com)