Over breakfast yesterday I was sitting in the lounge of a hotel in Germany and overhead a very loud couple discussing the French gunman/terrorist. The jist of the long, ignorant conversation was "who cares, he only targeted jews". I was pretty appalled but figured they were elderly and it just wasn't worth the effort to say anything to them.

Tonight, in the same lounge, a group of Brits in their early 20's were drinking heavily, toasting Hitler's birthday and "his goals". Just my luck to check in during anti semite week

Anyway, my question is if you were in a similar situation to either of the above, would you say anything?

I'm a jew but I'm about as secular as you can get. There's absolutely no way the remarks were directed at me. Would you you have done?

I probably wouldn't - free speech and all that. They didn't seem to be planning to hurt anyone themselves so by my book they can hold whatever screwy religious / political views etc. even if they are polar to my own. I'd rather occassionally listen to things I consider offensive / tripe, than to live in a society where people are not free to express themselves.

Hmm... Isn't that illegal in Germany? Perhaps you could have made a discrete exit from the lounge and complained about the hate speech to the duty manager.

i live in the DC area. the number of derogatory comments about blacks, and ugly nicknames about them in redneck and white trash(derogatory terms) bars is considerable. if were you, i would not attempt to straighten those people out.

most conservatives in this area do not speak kindly of PUSA, and refer to him as "that [edited by moderator]" don't worry about germany and england, worry about washington dc.

moderator, you can pull this if it is too offensive.

I wouldn't have said anything. You weren't going to change their mind, so why spend any effort trying to. Ignore, and feel good about where you stand in this world.

I am Jewish also. Probably I would have kept quiet. Probably I would have also cursed myself for keeping quiet.

I wouldn't say anything. They are entitled to their opinion, and it's none of anyone else's business. There are racist, sexist, and homophobic people all over the place, and you can't go around arguing with all of them.

In the US, this type of speech is covered under the first amendment. I believe the EU has similar rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.

As bad as things are Stateside, I'm hearing many liberals not speaking too kindly of PUSA as well.

There is a big difference between making comments about a particular individual and making comments about an entire race of people.

I would have been tempted to say something but probably would have restrained myself. The elderly couple are likely too set in their ways and the young guys sound scary. I wouldn't want to be in the same room with anyone toasting "Hitler's goals" let alone converse with them.

Silence implies agreement. In a pulblic place everyone has the right to have quiet conversation but not loud racist parties. I would have spoken up, and have done so in public places.

I would have said something. Somethings are worth fighting for. Exposing ignorance and hate is one of them. Then again, I like to battle with people.

Silence when you're faced with a group of boisterous drunks implies that you don't want to get hurt by beligerent drunks. I agree that the lounge should be a place that everyone can enjoy, but I think you're better off getting the management to deal with a hateful mob.

I mind my own business. Im posting this from a Bistro and I have earplug earbuds in listening to Sirius radio. Im too busy to care what other barflies say or think and I can't fight everyone. Nor do I want to.
Life can be full of conflict or peace. The decision is yours.