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* Makoto Nanaya of ''VideoGame/BlazBlue'' comes off as a bit of a {{ditz}} if you limit yourself to CT flashbacks, but throughout ''Continuum Shift'' she shows signs of this - ''especially'' in her own story, ''Slight Hope''. Reading others and determining intent? [[spoiler:She comes to trust Noel and Tsubaki quickly in ''Heart to Heart'', but she doesn't trust Hazama at all.]] Gut instincts? [[spoiler:Bang only needs mention a half-mask for her to identify Relius Clover and the dire nature of his involvement.]] Keeping level-headed? [[spoiler:Many of Terumi's trolling efforts are thrown off or reprised with inquiries.]] Flexible planning? [[spoiler:''Slight Hope'' is all about this, as she tries to save her friends whilst avoiding whatever unneeded attention she possibly can.]] Environmental awareness? [[spoiler:When Jin passes out in ''Decision'', she relies on her visit in ''Slight Hope'' and figures it's best to get him to Orient Town for medical attention. Also, in ''Friendship'' she has business with all her fixed encounters, with no unexpected surprises.]] Given the evidence on other fronts, she may have trouble realizing [[FridgeBrilliance this is a positive outcome]] [[FantasticRacism of her tumultuous childhood]].
** To show how big a difference Makoto's street smarts make in this story, consider this: [[spoiler:despite not having centuries' worth of experience in worldly affairs, Makoto has come closer ''than Rachel Alucard herself'' to [[OutGambitted knowingly decimating Terumi's plans for Noel]] in Arcade Mode, and is so far ''the only character period'' to [[SpannerInTheWorks irreparably derail his plans altogether]] in any Story Mode. And]] as a result of ''Slight Hope'' and ''Friendship'', whereas Yuuki Terumi will troll or torture anyone he comes across, even in ''Chronophantasma'' you can count the seconds he and Makoto are in the same area before he makes an attempt on her life.

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* Makoto Nanaya of ''VideoGame/BlazBlue'' ''Franchise/BlazBlue'' comes off as a bit of a {{ditz}} [[TheDitz ditz]] if you limit yourself to CT ''[[VideoGame/BlazBlueCalamityTrigger CT]]'' flashbacks, but throughout ''Continuum Shift'' ''[[VideoGame/BlazBlueContinuumShift Continuum Shift]]'', she shows signs of this - -- ''especially'' in her own story, ''Slight Hope''. Reading others and determining intent? [[spoiler:She comes to trust Noel and Tsubaki quickly in ''Heart to Heart'', but she doesn't trust Hazama at all.]] Gut instincts? [[spoiler:Bang only needs mention a half-mask for her to identify Relius Clover and the dire nature of his involvement.]] Keeping level-headed? [[spoiler:Many of Terumi's trolling efforts are thrown off or reprised with inquiries.]] Flexible planning? [[spoiler:''Slight Hope'' is all about this, as she tries to save her friends whilst avoiding whatever unneeded attention she possibly can.]] Environmental awareness? [[spoiler:When Jin passes out in ''Decision'', she relies on her visit in ''Slight Hope'' and figures it's best to get him to Orient Town for medical attention. Also, in ''Friendship'' she has business with all her fixed encounters, with no unexpected surprises.]] Given the evidence on other fronts, she may have trouble realizing [[FridgeBrilliance this is a positive outcome]] [[FantasticRacism of her tumultuous childhood]].
** To show how big a difference Makoto's street smarts make in this story, consider this: [[spoiler:despite not having centuries' worth of experience in worldly affairs, Makoto has come closer ''than Rachel Alucard herself'' to [[OutGambitted knowingly decimating Terumi's plans for Noel]] in Arcade Mode, and is so far ''the only character period'' to [[SpannerInTheWorks irreparably derail his plans altogether]] in any Story Mode. And]] as a result of ''Slight Hope'' and ''Friendship'', whereas Yuuki Terumi will troll or torture anyone he comes across, even in ''Chronophantasma'' ''[[VideoGame/BlazBlueChronophantasma Chronophantasma]]'' you can count the seconds he and Makoto are in the same area before he makes an attempt on her life.

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* When Glenn in ''Series/TheWalkingDead'' unveils a complex plan using the city's byways to evade the walkers, Daryl demands to know what he did before to give him such knowledge. The answer: "Deliver pizza."[[/folder]]

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* When Glenn in ''Series/TheWalkingDead'' unveils a complex plan using the city's byways to evade the walkers, Daryl demands to know what he did before to give him such knowledge. The answer: "Deliver pizza."[[/folder]]
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* ''Series/TheWire'': different levels of street smarts play out with the various groups in the show. Bubbles is trying to school Johnny, and later Sherrod, on how to survive day to day as a homeless heroin addict, and Johnny's inexperience quickly gets him beat up for trying to buy drugs with photocopied money. Ziggy acts like he knows the game, but ends up getting taken advantage of both by Frog who sells his package, and Cheese who he buys the package from, and while Nick is better at the job than Ziggy, he makes the mistake of storing drugs and money at his own residence. Lieutenant Marimov is so ill informed about how drug dealers operate he's surprised the stash he wanted to raid had been moved. Colicchio falls for a prank set up by hoppers where he picks up a paper bag full of shit thinking it's the dealer's stash.
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* ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing'': Although Pumbaa is [[BrainyPig the more intellectual of the duo]], Timon is noticeably savvier; that's why he's the leader.

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* ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing'': ''Franchise/TheLionKing'': Although Pumbaa is [[BrainyPig the more intellectual of the duo]], Timon is noticeably savvier; that's why he's the leader.

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* Ability to read others and determine intent. One need not be a LivingLieDetector to qualify as Street Smart, but a character is far more likely to be unduly suspicious than [[HorribleJudgeOfCharacter overly trusting]]. The talent for deception also tends to work both ways, and the character can be quick with a convincing bluff or misdirection.

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* Ability to read others and determine intent. One need not be a LivingLieDetector to qualify as Street Smart, but a character is far more likely to be unduly suspicious than [[HorribleJudgeOfCharacter overly trusting]]. trusting]] - at the same time, they are not irrationally suspicious, and know when to believe someone and/or accept that they are getting the full story. The talent for deception also tends to work both ways, and the character can be quick with a convincing bluff or misdirection.misdirection.
* Ability to determine who needs to know what, and how to convincingly word things when there is a need to misdirect, obfuscate, or deceive others or throw someone off when they've started to catch on.


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* Ability to anticipate and plan for variables, and the knowledge of what to prioritize.

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Added an example and done some alphabetical ordering


* Vito Corleone from ''Film/TheGodfather''. Despite the fact that he was someone who lived in PerpetualPoverty and created a vast criminal enterprise with limited resources, he managed to be incredibly smart, cunning, compelling, and very good at reading and dealing with people. The fact that he has highly developed emotional intelligence certainly helps.



* On ''Film/TommyBoy'', this explicitly said to be [[IdiotHero Tommy's]] ability, reflected in being good at persuading people into buying from him once he starts to relax, rather than ape what his father would say.


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* Vito Corleone from ''Film/TheGodfather''. Despite the fact that he was someone who lived in PerpetualPoverty and created a vast criminal enterprise with limited resources, he managed to be incredibly smart, cunning, compelling, and very good at reading and dealing with people. The fact that he has highly developed emotional intelligence certainly helps.
* ''Film/GodzillaVsKong'': Funnily enough, [[Characters/MonsterVerseHumans Josh Valentine]], [[NerdGlasses of all people]], stands out amongst Team Godzilla for showing shades of this. Despite his nerdy and timid appearance, Josh is person-savvy enough to know precisely how to get Bernie's whereabouts from a store clerk when Madison was struggling to get what they were after, he's good at {{cutting the knot}} on the fly [[spoiler:(this trait of his narrowly derails a Ghidorah-possessed Mechagodzilla's near-certain victory at a time when Madison was helpless and Bernie was about to give up)]], and he exhibits a practical spatial awareness and cautiousness of danger when he's accompanying Madison and Bernie through Apex.


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* On ''Film/TommyBoy'', this explicitly said to be [[IdiotHero Tommy's]] ability, reflected in being good at persuading people into buying from him once he starts to relax, rather than ape what his father would say.
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* In ''Manga/TomodachiGame'', GuileHero and BrokenAce Yuichi Katagiri freely admits to having [[BookDumb the worst grades in his friend group]], but as a result of the tutelage of his ConArtist adoptive father, he's a master at reading other people and manipulating them.

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* In ''Manga/TomodachiGame'', GuileHero and BrokenAce Yuichi Yuuichi Katagiri freely admits to having [[BookDumb the worst grades in his friend group]], but as a result of the tutelage of his ConArtist adoptive father, he's a master at reading other people and manipulating them.
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* The titular character of ''Manga/{{Kaiji}}'' is ''far'' from being a LivingLieDetector and gets screwed over constantly, however, his mastery of the IndyPloy and good gut instincts allow him to often come out on top in the end.
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* In ''Manga/TomodachiGame'', GuileHero and BrokenAce Yuichi Katagiri freely admits to having [[BookDumb the worst grades in his friend group]], but as a result of the tutelage of his ConArtist adoptive father, he's a master at reading other people and manipulating them.
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This trope may go hand-in-hand with BookDumb, illustrating that there is more than one way in which to be "intelligent". In that case, Street Smarts are usually the "underestimated" variety of intelligence, and often implied to be ''more important'' in the end. After all, a Street Smart (but BookDumb) character might fail a Chemistry test, but a BookSmart (and Street Stupid) character may ace the test yet fail to make it out of danger alive without the assistance of their Street Smart intellectual "inferior". That said, a Street Smart character by no means ''must'' be a poor academic performer. It is in fact entirely possible to be Street Smart ''and'' Book Smart, allowing for a character with encyclopedic knowledge that can apply their skills on the fly even in heated situations.

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This trope may go hand-in-hand with BookDumb, illustrating that there is more than one way in which to be "intelligent". In that case, Street Smarts are usually the "underestimated" variety of intelligence, and often implied to be ''more important'' in the end. After all, a Street Smart (but BookDumb) character might fail a Chemistry test, but a BookSmart (and Street Stupid) character may ace the test yet fail to make it out of danger alive without the assistance of their Street Smart intellectual "inferior". BrainsVersusBrawn has evolved over time to now include such a variation of the traditional contrast. That said, a Street Smart character by no means ''must'' be a poor academic performer. It is in fact entirely possible to be Street Smart ''and'' Book Smart, allowing for a character with encyclopedic knowledge that can apply their skills on the fly even in heated situations.
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Book Smart is a trope now! Nice to see it.


This trope may go hand-in-hand with BookDumb, illustrating that there is more than one way in which to be "intelligent". In that case, Street Smarts are usually the "underestimated" variety of intelligence, and often implied to be ''more important'' in the end. After all, a Street Smart (but BookDumb) character might fail a Chemistry test, but a Book Smart (and Street Stupid) character may ace the test yet fail to make it out of danger alive without the assistance of their Street Smart intellectual "inferior". That said, a Street Smart character by no means ''must'' be a poor academic performer. It is in fact entirely possible to be Street Smart ''and'' Book Smart, allowing for a character with encyclopedic knowledge that can apply their skills on the fly even in heated situations.

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This trope may go hand-in-hand with BookDumb, illustrating that there is more than one way in which to be "intelligent". In that case, Street Smarts are usually the "underestimated" variety of intelligence, and often implied to be ''more important'' in the end. After all, a Street Smart (but BookDumb) character might fail a Chemistry test, but a Book Smart BookSmart (and Street Stupid) character may ace the test yet fail to make it out of danger alive without the assistance of their Street Smart intellectual "inferior". That said, a Street Smart character by no means ''must'' be a poor academic performer. It is in fact entirely possible to be Street Smart ''and'' Book Smart, allowing for a character with encyclopedic knowledge that can apply their skills on the fly even in heated situations.
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* On ''Film/TommyBoy'', this explicitly said to be [[IdiotHero Tommy's]] ability, reflected in being good at swindling people into buying from him.

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* On ''Film/TommyBoy'', this explicitly said to be [[IdiotHero Tommy's]] ability, reflected in being good at swindling persuading people into buying from him.him once he starts to relax, rather than ape what his father would say.
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A term with dual meaning, a "[[TitleDrop street smart]]" person is one who "knows the streets" of a heavily-populated, [[TheCity urban area]]. It is also often used to mean a character with an [[PragmaticHero extremely pragmatic]] and insightful mentality that is applied to being able to survive the mean "streets" of RealLife by dealing with other people. For many characters, both traits are combined at the same time--possessed of a survivalist sense well-suited to the city but with insight often equally applicable in other areas.

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A term with dual meaning, a "[[TitleDrop street smart]]" person is one who "knows the streets" of a heavily-populated, [[TheCity urban area]]. It is also often used to mean a character with an [[PragmaticHero extremely pragmatic]] and insightful mentality that is applied to being able to survive the mean "streets" of RealLife by dealing with other people. For many characters, both traits are combined at the same time--possessed time -- possessed of a survivalist sense well-suited to the city but with insight often equally applicable in other areas.



Compare WisdomFromTheGutter. Not to be confused with ''Series/StreetSmarts'', a game show from the early 2000s, or the [[Film/StreetSmart film]], which earned Creator/MorganFreeman his first Academy Award nomination.

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Compare WisdomFromTheGutter. Not to be confused with ''Series/StreetSmarts'', a game show from the early 2000s, or the [[Film/StreetSmart film]], film, which earned Creator/MorganFreeman his first Academy Award nomination.



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* This is an important attribute for any [[TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}} Shadowrunner]] who wishes to become the next legend in underground circles; they must learn the harsh aspects of [[TheStateless going without a [=SIN=]]], relying on [[BackAlleyDoctor Street Docs]], looking for reliable fixers, knowing who to trust, being wary of any [[MysteriousEmployer Mr. Johnson]] while accepting a run, treading carefully on any place run by gangs, a particular company, and/or security divisions like Lone Star, keeping an eye on their reputation to prevent them from being wanted on the list by Lone Star and any company who they decided to cross with, all up to using [[FutureSlang futuristic street slang]] in order to familiarize with the underground world. And that's just the handful of unwritten rules that a would-be runner of the shadows has to learn...

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* This is an important attribute for any [[TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}} Shadowrunner]] who wishes to become the next legend in underground circles; they must learn the harsh aspects of [[TheStateless going without a [=SIN=]]], relying on [[BackAlleyDoctor Street Docs]], looking for reliable fixers, knowing who to trust, being wary of any [[MysteriousEmployer Mr. Johnson]] while accepting a run, treading carefully on any place run by gangs, a particular company, and/or security divisions like Lone Star, keeping an eye on their reputation to prevent them from being wanted on the list by Lone Star and any company who they decided to cross with, all up to using [[FutureSlang futuristic street slang]] in order to familiarize with the underground world. And that's just the handful of unwritten rules that a would-be runner of the shadows has to learn...learn. The 'Black Trenchcoat' playing style among players and [=GMs=] often heavily utilizes street intelligence due to the darker, grittier, and more realistic gameplay in contrast to the 'Pink Mohawk' playing style, where the latter usually features liberal levels of RuleOfFun for gameplay runs.

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* ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'''s title character. Although he does make some ''notoriously poor'' judgment calls in almost every other area imaginable, his survival instinct, ability to think on his feet and improvise are fundamental to his very character.

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* ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'''s title character. WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}. Although he does make some ''notoriously poor'' judgment calls in almost every other area imaginable, his survival instinct, and ability to think on his feet and improvise are fundamental to his very character.



* Disney's ''WesternAnimation/LadyAndTheTramp''. Tramp was a canine version. During the movie he introduced Lady to how dogs without masters lived.
* Dodger's gang in ''WesternAnimation/OliverAndCompany''.

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* Disney's ''WesternAnimation/LadyAndTheTramp''. Tramp was a canine version. During the movie he ''WesternAnimation/LadyAndTheTramp'': Tramp, obviously. He introduced Lady to how dogs without masters lived.
humans live.
* Dodger's Dodger and his gang in ''WesternAnimation/OliverAndCompany''.''WesternAnimation/OliverAndCompany''.
* ''WesternAnimation/BrotherBear'': Koda, as young as he is, certainly knows his way around the forest, and teaches Kenai how to be a bear.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing'': Although Pumbaa is [[BrainyPig the more intellectual of the duo]], Timon is noticeably savvier; that's why he's the leader.



** Toph is also very Street Smart.

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** Toph is also very Street Smart.''very'' streetwise.
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* When Glenn in ''Series/TheWalkingDead'' unveils a complex plan using the city's byways to evade the walkers, Daryl demands to know what he did before to give him such knowledge. The answer: "Deliver pizza."[[/folder]]
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The SatisfiedStreetRat is by definition this type, as is any successful StreetUrchin. A frequent component of the GuileHero and the Cop of any CopAndScientist duo. The key ally of the CowboyCop (and by extension the one character they trust and respects completely).

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The SatisfiedStreetRat is by definition this type, as is any successful StreetUrchin. A frequent component of the GuileHero and the Cop of any CopAndScientist duo. The key ally of the CowboyCop (and by extension the one tends to trust and respect this character they trust and respects completely).
completely, making them their key (if not only) ally.
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Family Unfriendly Aesop has been renamed


* Andy French in ''WesternAnimation/MissionHill'' is this in direct contrast to his brother who is a genius in school but completely socially inept. So much so that he often comes up with great, if a touch [[FamilyUnfriendlyAesop family-unfriendly]], advice and solutions to problems:

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* Andy French in ''WesternAnimation/MissionHill'' is this in direct contrast to his brother who is a genius in school but completely socially inept. So much so that he often comes up with great, if a touch [[FamilyUnfriendlyAesop [[HardTruthAesop family-unfriendly]], advice and solutions to problems:
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* ''Series/StarTrekPicard'': Cristóbal Rios has the know-how to survive the anarchic WretchedHive of the former Romulan Neutral Zone, unlike Jean-Luc Picard and Elnor.

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* ''Series/StarTrekPicard'': Cristóbal Rios has the know-how to survive the anarchic WretchedHive of the former Romulan Neutral Zone, unlike Elnor and Jean-Luc Picard and Elnor.Picard.
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* ''Series/StarTrekPicard'': Cristóbal Rios has the know-how to survive the anarchic WretchedHive of the former Romulan Neutral Zone, unlike Jean-Luc Picard and Elnor.
-->'''Rios''': But you do this, you put a bounty on all of us. I don't give a damn, but the kid and the old man, they don't stand a chance out here with a price on their heads.
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The SatisfiedStreetRat is by definition this type, as is any successful StreetUrchin. A frequent component of the GuileHero and the Cop of any CopAndScientist duo. The key ally of the CowboyCop (and by extension the one character he trusts and respects completely).

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The SatisfiedStreetRat is by definition this type, as is any successful StreetUrchin. A frequent component of the GuileHero and the Cop of any CopAndScientist duo. The key ally of the CowboyCop (and by extension the one character he trusts they trust and respects completely).
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The SatisfiedStreetRat is by definition this type, as is any successful StreetUrchin. A frequent component of the GuileHero. The key ally of the CowboyCop (and by extension the one character he trusts and respects completely).

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The SatisfiedStreetRat is by definition this type, as is any successful StreetUrchin. A frequent component of the GuileHero. GuileHero and the Cop of any CopAndScientist duo. The key ally of the CowboyCop (and by extension the one character he trusts and respects completely).
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The SatisfiedStreetRat is by definition this type, as is any successful StreetUrchin. A frequent component of the GuileHero and the key ally of the CowboyCop.

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The SatisfiedStreetRat is by definition this type, as is any successful StreetUrchin. A frequent component of the GuileHero and the GuileHero. The key ally of the CowboyCop.
CowboyCop (and by extension the one character he trusts and respects completely).
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* Qi'ra from ''Film/{{Solo}}'' grew up on the streets on [[WretchedHive Coronet City]] and is quite capable of looking after herself. She's never had a formal education, but she's still intelligent, quick on her feet, resourceful and usually a good judge of character. ''Literature/StarWarsMostWanted'' and deleted scenes in ''Solo'' also emphasize that she knows lots of shortcuts, hiding places and alternate routes around her home city. Her smarts have enabled her to survive and adapt to life in organized crime.
* All ''Film/TheWarriors'' are this to an extent - it goes with [[GangBangers the lifestyle]] - but none more so than Swan. He's almost always levelheaded, good at improvising and sussing out situations, and successfully leads most of the group back to Coney Island while the cops and every other gang is after them. A particularly notable example is when Mercy points out to Swan that he's being followed by the Punks' leader; he tells her he already knows and was trying not to let the Punk know that he knows.
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* Vito Corleone from ''Film/TheGodfather''. Despite the fact that he was someone who lived in PerpetualPoverty and created a vast criminal enterprise with limited resources, he managed to be incredibly smart, cunning, compelling, and very good at reading and dealing with people. The fact that he has highly developed emotional intelligence certainly helps.

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