A gangster is, simply by definition, a person who is a member of a gang, but in the streets, they are seen as much more than this. There is a vow that says, “Gangsters move in silence.” There is another vow that says, “Speak no existence of the organization you’re a member of.” This coincides with the first vow I mentioned. This means you will see normal people who look normal but are not—they will not have tattoos or dress a certain way. They will have jobs, be owners of businesses, ex-military, even educated people. These are all examples.

But, of course, true people often think criminals or gangsters are not intellectual, lazy, or garbage. In fact, it takes intelligence to survive in the streets. You need to be knowledgeable to thrive: to sell drugs, evade the police, keep thriving amidst a life of crime, and manage to stay alive and not get incarcerated. All of this is hard work—believe me, I know personally.

So, my point is: Anybody could be a gangster. These silent, undercover types are the most dangerous of them all. You have no clue if they are—they seem normal, they look weak, but in fact, are ruthless. This is true. These guys often rule underground, the last to be looked upon. But if you just look closely, you can see small signs: his confidence and demand for respect as he moves about, his demeanor—so calm, quiet, yet fierce. Most important are his movements, his surroundings, who he speaks to, who he hangs out with, his patterns of social ties. All play an important role.

Meeting with shady characters—and these shady characters follow him, respect him, fear him—this is a leader. Just one example, but there is so much more. Another example is the guy that grew up in the streets as a child, fought, and learned about guns, drugs, and murder at an early age, with no choice but to live a life that was all he knew. He fought for something he thought was right. His journey only moved him up into the ranks—a teenager, feared, respected, only becoming a product of the streets that the gang made him out to be.

This guy is more ruthless than the last. He does not care, has no feelings, and barely talks. He moves like a silent menace. Tattoos are visible almost all over his body. He represents no matter where he goes and places fear in those around him. This one is the most obvious type. His tattoos identify him but keep in mind: not all people with tattoos are gangsters. Nowadays, tattoos are popular, and most people have them. But with these guys, you have to look closely to tell which gang he is a part of, what symbols mean what, and the hidden meanings of the tattoos. Most are obvious, like numbers, letters, gang slogans, hand signs, or colors. Others are images. On this guy, you will see those.

This is also a leader because of his ruthlessness, his fearless demeanor. This one leads by example.
Another is the old man—yes, the old man. He may seem old, but he has the mental strength to lead and run a whole organization under his hand. He sits on top. He is protected. He is king, basically, and most people overlook him. But one false move, and he can—and will—have you disappear. He gives orders. He makes big moves no one sees, and he has many who work for him. This guy is also hidden—most people do not know, but he is feared.

The old man does not even have tattoos or dress a certain way. He only moves with power, unbeknownst to anybody but his own. He is most likely the founder of the organization and the creator of all the rules and regulations others follow. It is his life and his only way of life.

There are also more of these guys, more than a few, and they are the brains—much more intellectual than you think. They have to be. How do you run a respected organization for decades at a time, keeping it alive, strong, thriving, and feared for years to come? This takes a lot—and most of all, help. But the old man stays at the top.

These are only three examples of many, so don’t go thinking you are an expert or that everyone is a gangster or part of some organization based on small details you assume.