Pater Familias

Theories, observations, and articles, by Philip Schaefer · All posts · Categories

ORDINARY PEOPLE BEING TREATED WITH RESPECT.

October 3, 2009 at 8:29 PM · Uncategorized

ORDINARY PEOPLE BEING TREATED WITH RESPECT. About a year ago, the Smithsonian Magazine printed an essay by Megan Gambino, one of their staff members, about the power that the last name “Gambino” brings (the link has interesting comments). She pointed out that at least her branch of the family tree has no connection with the Mafia. Nevertheless, she receives respect. She writes about the police officer in Boston who changed his mind about giving her a ticket when he saw the last name on her driver’s license. She tells of her family’s recent visit to a steak house in Manhattan: “When we got there, the entryway was lined with the entire kitchen and wait staff….”