With all due respect I beg to differ. These types of hangouts are a universal, at least in the United States. Or at least in NYC. ( Which IS the United States )
Seriously. I’ve lived in Astoria Queens NYC on and off for a total of 12 years. There are a ton of private clubs and associations on the avenues. During the summertime their door is typically opened. Rarely but sometimes are a few members out in front on cheap white resin chairs, sipping a cold drink. Whether food is being served inside or not, it is abundantly clear to a passer-by that this is a private club and not a restaurant. They have names that are variations on " Pan-Hellenic Society of Astoria " or " Cypriot Society of New York " or " Delphic Community of Greater Astoria " or " What the Fuck Do You Think You’re Looking At Pal Association ".
Fair to say that even today in Astoria, 75% of these clubs are Greek. Maybe 20% are Italian and a smattering are Latino, although really just a few.
Do I think I’m walking by a Greek Mafia hangout every time I pass one? Absolutely. Real estate has always been fabulously expensive on the Avenues and yet here are these clubs. With no commerce taking place. Year after year. Either these are hard-working folks who hemorrhage monies to keep their club open, or it’s a hangout for the Greek Mafia.
–shrug-- I never feel more or less safe when I’m near such a place. They are simply a part of the fabric of the neighborhood. But these places are most definitely not limited to Italian-Americans.
Every time I drive down Route 17 and get onto Route 80 in Northern NJ I drive past Satin Dolls, which is as the sign states the original Badda Bing. Back in da day, you’d drive by now and again and see the parking lot crammed with production trucks and HMI lights on stands.
Ahh, shooting on location. One of the weirdest days of work ever as a cameraman was when I shot in a small strip club on Staten Island for a Tim Roth movie I did called No Way Home. Most of the day I stood on the bar next to or behind a stripper as she danced. She was out of focus foreground “movement” as I shot dialogue between Tim and James Russo.
I was alternately embarrassed and titillated all day. My female First Assistant was highly amused at my squirmings.
Not sure exactly what you are differing with. I didn’t say they didn’t occur in other ethnic groups, just that they were common in Italian neighborhoods (like the one I grew up in in the Bronx). I would, however, disagree with the implication that most social clubs are related to organized crime.
I’d also disagree that they are universal among all ethnic groups. The Irish in my neighborhood (I’m Irish and German) wouldn’t hang out in stores or social clubs but in bars, almost always inside.
Tony complains about the rash before he bangs the girl. A doctor basically tells him the rash is stress-related and to cure it he should consider some form of “stress management”- cut to Tony banging the girl. So it looks like more of a psychosomatic thing than a cooties situation.
Youse all are missing the funniest part of that scene - which is, Tony’s not interested in her at all until Barone mentions she’s a Born Again Christian. (Guess he likes a challenge!)
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