Gangsta

[Jaguara]

I see what you mean, but my point is that gangsters are people who are in gangs. Like it or not, but being in a gang makes you a gangster, and they do commit small crimes.

I will say as well that we seem to have a semantics issue here. When someone says "gangster" to me, I think of organized crime gangs. (Mafia, Russian Mob, Hells Angels, etc. - as well as their lesser affiliates) The dictionary definition is "a member of a criminal gang". Yes, these kids commit crimes, but they are not a gang organized for crime.

So, being in a deadbeat "gang" that shoplifts or graffiti's a wall (and other random misdemeanors), should not be referred to as "gangsters".

Anyway, even a group of enough young kids with something to prove can be dangerous...like MRD says above.

Just one word of caution...even if these punks are as laughable as you say...and you confront them on the street, and humiliate them. What is to say that they don't show up at your house when you are out and trash the place...or your car...or harrass people you know who might be less able to stand up to them. They don't even have to confront you directly to hurt you and those around you.

All that said, people are often scared of all the wrong things. People are terrified of some biker friends of mine because of how they dress...but these guys are like public servants and computer programmers. They are not trying to intimidate anyone, but people are afraid of them anyway.

[Vuk]

I will say as well that we seem to have a semantics issue here. When someone says "gangster" to me, I think of organized crime gangs. (Mafia, Russian Mob, Hells Angels, etc. - as well as their lesser affiliates) The dictionary definition is "a member of a criminal gang". Yes, these kids commit crimes, but they are not a gang organized for crime.

So, being in a deadbeat "gang" that shoplifts or graffiti's a wall (and other random misdemeanors), should not be referred to as "gangsters".

Anyway, even a group of enough young kids with something to prove can be dangerous...like MRD says above.

Just one word of caution...even if these punks are as laughable as you say...and you confront them on the street, and humiliate them. What is to say that they don't show up at your house when you are out and trash the place...or your car...or harrass people you know who might be less able to stand up to them. They don't even have to confront you directly to hurt you and those around you.

All that said, people are often scared of all the wrong things. People are terrified of some biker friends of mine because of how they dress...but these guys are like public servants and computer programmers. They are not trying to intimidate anyone, but people are afraid of them anyway.

lol, well my point is that people treat them like they are a genuine criminal gang. Jag, honestly, I am not worried about these losers. First of all, my Uni is nearly an hour drive from my house, and they do not know where I live (they are in the same city as my Uni, but I live out in the country). They know very little about me. Every member of my family except me is always armed. :P We are all crack shots and I have a lot of guns in my house. (including three at my bedside)
Why would I worry about a bunch of underage punks? Why should my family? Hell, they mess with my 55 year old mother, and they are gonna be dealing with OC, an 8 inch knife, or a club! (not to mention major retribution if they are that dumb) :P