L.A. Lesson: Where are you from?

The most lamented and dreaded question that any Angeleno hates to hear, “Where are you from?” This is a question that has no definitive answer. It is an apparent “Catch-22″: Damned if you don’t answer and damned if you do. Too many Los Angeles area residents have lost their lives or have been seriously injured because they have failed to respond or responded with the wrong answer. This is why you have to be aware of your surroundings and be well versed as to what a proper response to this question can be. If you get “hit up” by a gang member it is only because he thinks you look like one or are one. This is why, as described in Lesson One, you should not be a poser. You will only be jeopardizing yourself. Why would any fool try to look hard and be a “Buster” when everybody knows that idiot could not hang with anyone, let alone gang-bangers. Once you get “hit up,” you better react quickly and tell them that you are from a city in another state.

This answer will have them scratching their heads because gang members are stupid and do not know their geography. Their rationale is that if they never heard of that area, they will most likely leave you alone because they have no beef with that area. If you do not give them an answer, they will view that as disrespectful and they will attempt to injure you. You have to remember gang members only have their point of view and do not give a shit what you think. So think about that when traveling through Los Angeles.
Until the next Lesson, “Stay Down.”
Written and Reported by: OG DUDE