[Mr. BIG]

[Crispy]

People have long memories for things like world wars. If they wanted to erase bad feelings associated with their country after WW2, the only thing I can think of that might have helped is to change their name and language. I know it sounds crazy and impossible but...

It is crazy and impossible. You can be reasonable and understand that nothing Germany is now is related to how it was sixty years ago, but it is far harder to change feelings throughout the entire world.

[kamome]

The purchasing power of Germans combined with their sometimes high demands for luxury in less prosperous countries leads inevitably to tension. Germans are known to expect waiters and car rental agents in holiday regions to speak their language.

You know, that sounds eerily similar to the complaints I hear all the time about Americans. It's mostly a case of the haves versus the have-nots: those who are wanting are going to complain about those who are prosperous.

[Mr. BIG]

I agree that the anti-German sentiment mentioned in the article is very similar to anti-American sentiment in Europe.....although I haven't personally been to Europe to experience it, from what I've gathered from European friends there is an incredible amount of animosity towards most Americans.....according to several of my friends, they treat people on a subjective basis, so maybe the Germans bitching in the article are just carrying themselves wrong....

[Mr. BIG]

I completely agree with the remark that not everyone in a country can be generalized by the government's actions....I feel that it goes beyond the government, though. Not everyone in a country can be generalized by the actions of their fellow countrymen, either. I don't like to quote myself, but.....

maybe the Germans bitching in the article are just carrying themselves wrong....

[befamfivh]

most of us didnt agree with nazism!

That is such bullshit. Even if most Germans didn't agree with it, almost ALL went along with it wholeheartedly. At least until the fucking war was over.

Were not nazi's

I don't think anyone would argue with that. However, a lot of people are still pissed that (effectively) an entire country went along with Hitler's plan for Germany.

some shithead :evil: gave Germany a bad reputation

Uhh.. that's the biggest fucking understatement I've ever heard. He didn't propogate a stereotype that all germans love crappy euro-techno and are womanizers, he tried to commit genocide and conquered most of Europe and started on Russia, putting those areas under a facist regime.

I have nothing against Germans. Nazism is well in the past, thank god, and I'm sure Germans as a whole a great bunch of people. I just don't like it when people trivialize horrible things that their country did in the past. Don't get me wrong: of that, America is not free of guilt. A lot of people in America wave off Japanese internment camps like it was nothing important.

And I've gone off on a rant. Sorry.

[cliffy]

Seems to me the Image of an overbearing, boorish and ignorant tourist has been passed to a new nationality. A small prize to the first player to announce who the description fitted last decade or more , yes ultra I KNOW your ethnicity .

[x]

Germans Complain: Why Doesn't Anyone Like Us?

Aww, poor Nazis.

I like Germans - some of my real good online friends are from Germany. i aslo really love the language and intend to study it soon.

regarding war and nazi's - that was a different generation of a small population of leaders that were able to deceive a nation into war. today the people of Germany are some of the nicest people in the world.

that was then this is now.

[cstaylor]

"Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Euro". Pretty witty if you ask me... since Germany is one of the largest proponents of the European Union.

[Ketou]

You know, that sounds eerily similar to the complaints I hear all the time about Americans. It's mostly a case of the haves versus the have-nots: those who are wanting are going to complain about those who are prosperous.

This is true but it may have something to do with the fact that the more
prosperous people become the more petty their complaints.

"I'm sorry Maam but you cant take your twenty kilo suitcase on the plane as hand-luggage"
"But we can do it in the States!"
"Yes Maam but this isn't the States"
"Aw this is just ridiculous! I have my camera and things I need in here!"
"It's only a two hour flight Maam. You can take out what you need."
"I've taken this bag on before with Delta, whats the difference?"
"This isn't Delta Maam AND it's the LAW!"
"What a stupid law! Why did I ever come to this damn country. People are so rude. Blah blah blah blah........."

I worked in tourism for nine years. I don't how many times I heard conversations like the above.
On the streets of India (and many many other places) you will find people who's only concern is where their next meal is coming from. Prosperity brings a really skewed view of life.

In terms of tourists, I found Americans to be more petty then Germans.
All in all, it's just those few rotten apples!!

[GomiGirl]

Can't speak on the pettiness issue, but it seems to be a backlash due to the sheer numbers of German Tourist. I travel a heap - mainly work but I do get out occassionally - and everywhere I have been the majority of tourists that I have seen/heard/met have been German.

It is the same whenever there is a large numbers of tourists of one nationality in an area. People feel threatened for some reason.

The same thing was happening a number of years ago at the Gold Coast in Australia where there seemed to be a huge overnight increase in the numbers of Japanese tourists. The local population went completely overthetop in the ugly racist behaviour to very mild mannered tourists who were there for 4-5 days to spend a ridiculous amount of money - however - the local population couldn't see logic and the benefit of this.

I don't think that people hate American tourists so much - they are just made fun of because of some of the outrageous golfing/hawaiian outfits seen in places like Eurpoe.. these should be confiscated at immigration. Also that "their" voices seem to be much louder than everybody else's!! (Now who is making generalisations???) :P

Go figure!!

[cstaylor]

That's because the Germans get a 6 week holiday right?