JBord

Fair enough, but I think the "some" is an important addition, and I would say it's more common in the older generation. Being in my 40's, I wouldn't say most people my age and younger think that way. There are still some, but I think the attitude is more often "different but equally good/bad" rather than superior or inferior.

And of course Americans don't see themselves as provincial. Does anyone really?

Worcester

Russia created false stories about rape of Russian/German girls by "immigrants" so it's vital we stick to facts rather than perception which can be manipulated.

​​​​​​​Frankfurt is safe if not a little dull city in easy reach of some beautiful areas.

dnwaldmann

Have you checked the price of tea in China lately?

dnwaldmann

I take it that you are giving advice based on experience, and have to conclude that so far you have never been raped, shot, killed by a drunk driver or gotten into a traffic accident in Germany. This is information which is called "anecdotal", rather than "evidence". BTW, keep it up

oliver2002

Regarding anecdotal vs evidence, last July my colleague was mentioning at the office lunch table that his teenage daughters wouldn't go shopping in downtown Munich anymore because young arab men are sitting around the metro stations leering young women and trying to molest them in gangs. I challenged him to come with me to town that afternoon and check it out ourselves and if needed ask the police why this is being allowed. Suddenly the topic was changed.

flyupfrnt

Deutschland Über Alles

Flying Lawyer

A really qualified and useful comment.

I believe, however, that the more modern 2017 version of this poem created by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben on 26. August 1841 is used by the PROTUS and reads "America First" or, as literally phrased by PROTUS

"From this day forward, it’s going to be only America first, America first".

Whereas the Deutschlandlied was a romantic poem of an artist, the America first hymn comes from the most powerful man on this globe and forgets, that America is by far bigger than the US.

offerendum

Was lucky so far but know people. It´s indeed a problem. Otherwise there are many places in the world which have the same or even much worse issues.

Yeah, this is something very qualifies. Perhaps 20 % of the Germans and 10 % of forgain people understand what von Fallersleben intended with his poem. It has nothing in common with some superior race or other rubbish. 1841 was a time when Germany was barely existing. "Germany" consisted of many more or less small individual states. In this situation many wished a reunion. The text line should express that Germany is the most important thing for him. Something that is total normal in my impression in the United States. In fact nationalism is in the middle much more pronauned than in Germany. People even discuss if it is OK to put a German flag out of your car if the German soccer team plays an important game or if it is overdone nationalism. Tell an American he shouldn´t put the American flag out of his house.... In Germany very few people do and if you do you have a good chance to get hostiled.

P.S. Donald Trump once said about his "German blood it wood be "great stuff". Only VERY few Germans would say something like this and this are the ones who really live 80 years in the past.

Absolutely

flyupfrnt

I actually typed quite a bit more but my iPad acted up and it didn't post my edit, so please forgive me. Additionally, The statement isn't a racist one or anti Semitic related at all. It simply means. Germany comes first. No harm no foul.

As a German born American citizen who has spent a great deal of Time in and around Munchen, Frankfurt and many other Swabish and Bavarian towns - I have never felt unsafe. I see very little reason to buy into the Hype anyone spews upon you regarding these issues. I will say that that my Relatives who live in Germany have expressed concern with all the newcomers and the open boarder policy, And that is their prerogative.

JBord

That really did deserve some additional clarification...I'm glad you returned.

oliver2002

SZ featured this buzzfeed post today:
​​​​​​https://www.buzzfeed.com/karstenschmehl/weird-german-quirks?utm_term=.dtzVl1MnK#.yoZ3AvVND

I like the Bitte and Danke bit.

flyingfkb

Be highly alert when in Germany. Just watch this very educational video about Germany

BE DEUTSCH! ACHTUNG Germans on the rise!

ralfkrippner

To give our members here some context about it, the video is from zdf neo magazin royal, a satire program which is known for maxing out topics right to where it becomes unbearable.

ghina

I've seen the same thing in Miami

adpucci

good grief.

please stay in ATL. or better still, move to Wyoming. whatever you do, don't come to Europe, thanks.