# Going to Germany this summer. How much Neo-Naziism will we encounter? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 19, 2014, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146 "2014-06-19T15:11:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tully\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ab992/32.png) [@Tully\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tully_Mars)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146/21 "2014-06-19T17:33:38Z")
If you’re longing to go on a crusade to find injustice about which to be indignant, you might try a tour of the Middle East. I hear they’re experienced at dealing with crusaders. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146/22 "2014-06-19T17:37:39Z")
I’m going to America sometime. How many Klan members will I encounter? > [@UncleRojelio](#): > > This comment gave me a great deal of pause. Although I don’t think we need to be bombing Germany for anything at the moment, I thank your father for his service. Fuck pause. It was a moronic comment that makes the OP look like an intelligent question. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146/23 "2014-06-19T17:42:16Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > I’m going to America sometime. How many Klan members will I encounter? Let us know in advance, and we will try to add it to the schedule. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146/24 "2014-06-19T17:58:04Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Let us know in advance, and we will try to add it to the schedule. Perhaps they can add a matinee? ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146/25 "2014-06-19T18:04:30Z")
Such a weird question. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146/26 "2014-06-19T18:33:16Z")
> [@Octarine](#): > > the worst right now, IIRC, is Hungary Check out the Greek answer to Nazism, [Golden Dawn](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Dawn_(political_party)). They look like lazy pseudo-Nazis from some dystopian film, complete with [pseudo-swastika flags](http://vicneverman.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/golden-dawn-nazis-2.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146/27 "2014-06-19T19:17:19Z")
Dear Germany, I apologize on behalf of the SDMB for Toonsie’s staggering ignorance on this subject. Love ya! Beanie ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146/28 "2014-06-19T19:47:20Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Perhaps they can add a matinee? No, sorry - all of our Nazis are at their miminum-wage jobs during the afternoon. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146/29 "2014-06-19T20:15:43Z")
As a Jew, I find the OP’s anti German prejudice shocking and disgusting. I’m worried about rising antisemitism in a few places. Germany is not one of them. As a man of Austrian ancestry (on my Dad’s side) I think it’s a shame to let all of Germany’s history of beer, chocolate, sausage, art and music be obliterated by Hitler. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146/30 "2014-06-19T21:37:50Z")
**DocCathode** , tough darts. As a person whose German-born father endured having a Nazi soldier jam a gun against his head at the age of 8 for refusing to salute Hitler, and kept it there until he did so, you can take your “I’m A Jew” garbage and stow it. I was born a Jew - through capricious luck that day my father was not murdered. You can find as you wish - this is a message board tolerant of people like you. I’ll prefer to keep my extreme caution of modern-day Germany firmly intact. **GreenBean** , love ya too ! But as I’ve stated above, caution comes from education not ignorance. Or, are you going to insist that it is a fact that no Neo-Nazis were elected to the European Parliament? See. That’s a fact. Two were. You can call me ignorant, and insist that I’m wrong, and apologize to a nation. That doesn’t change the very real fact that the movement is growing, hence my O.P. **Octarine** and **Telemark** , thank you for your thoughtful and froth-free answers. They are appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Steken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146/31 "2014-06-19T22:09:51Z")
What the lads have said. You probably won’t see a single Nazi. ---
**Author:** ![DingoelGringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@DingoelGringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DingoelGringo)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146/32 "2014-06-19T22:18:52Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > No, it definitely happened in 2014, because it only lasted about ten minutes before being broken up, and most of the violence came from the brownshirts on the left. > You’re likely to see nothing. > You pick the oddest things to be worried about. If it isn’t [perverted Shriners who are going to molest your nephew](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=324192), it’s a production of “Springtime for Hitler” breaking out when you are on vacation. > > Have you considered Disney World? They don’t have any Nazis there, and all the threats there _are_ cartoons… > > Regards, > Shodan But that wicked witch can be pretty scary though. ---
**Author:** ![Dumbguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dumbguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dumbguy)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146/33 "2014-06-19T22:30:15Z")
Weirdly random and overwrought pit rant disguised as a request for travel advice. ---
**Author:** ![Strainger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strainger/32/244_2.png) [@Strainger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strainger)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146/34 "2014-06-19T22:34:43Z")
I understand the OP’s concern. A few years ago I went to the Hofbrauhaus while visiting Munich, and a goddamn putsch broke out. It was madness. > [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](#): > > The photo you posted appears to be from a [demonstration in Skokie](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/neo-nazi-protestors-organized-by-the-national-socialist-news-photo/86037076), Illinois, by the way. Illinois Nazis. I _hate_ Illinois Nazis. ---
**Author:** ![qubed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f07891/32.png) [@qubed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qubed)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146/35 "2014-06-19T22:43:49Z")
I was assaulted by a neo-nazi in Slovakia a few years ago. I also currently live in Germany by choice. I think it’s reasonable to be prudent about it. ---
**Author:** ![kellner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c2a13f/32.png) [@kellner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kellner)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146/36 "2014-06-19T23:28:37Z")
Your basic question is a legitimate one, but your OP is rather unfortunate combination of half-truths and preconceived notions. The well has been poisoned so thoroughly that I am not sure what you are looking for. The misattributed photo has been pointed out already. I am not sure whether that makes any difference to you. One neo-Nazi has been elected, not two, with 1.0 percent of the vote in a low-turnout election. That means 11th place behind the Animals Rights Party and the Pirate Party. Actually the neo-Nazi results are down a bit from last time, but the threshold that used to keep them from winning seats has been ruled unconstitutional. You have to keep in mind that it was a strictly proportional election. Also, although those parties are rightly condemned by the mainstream, obviously they do not publicly identify as neo-Nazi parties. That means that although the party hierarchy is full of rather unsavory figures, many of their votes come from simple low-information get-off-my-lawn morons who want to be tough on crime, immigration, corruption and everything else to blame for their lot in life. Yes, it is true that there are neighborhoods and villages where I would not want to live as a member of an obvious minority. If you are here as tourist or for business, then you are almost by definition unlikely to have much exposure to those. Of course it is a bit hard to quantify what you will encounter. Imagine a European traveller asking just how dangerous those gangs are that they have heard about. Will you see a visible neo-Nazi in the street? Quite possibly, depending on where you are. Will you personally encounter any neo-Nazi crime? Unlikely. ---
**Author:** ![Oliveritaly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oliveritaly/32/15233_2.png) [@Oliveritaly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oliveritaly)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146/37 "2014-06-20T06:34:05Z")
> [@Cartooniverse](#): > > Sadly, the movement is [alive and well](http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/germany/140128/germany-neo-nazis-npd) all over Germany. Their power is slowly increasing- [2 Neo-Nazis have just been elected to the European Parliament](http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/neo-nazi-parties-win-seats-in-2-european-parliament-elections/2014/05/26/). > > As we travel throughout the country, how much iconography and in-your-face displays of Nazi support are we likely to encounter? [This image from December 2013](http://cdn7.dottech.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/neo-nazi.jpg?154756) makes it abundantly clear that laws on the books in Germany regarding display of a swastika are, well, a joke. There are hundreds to be found in Google Image Search, this is hardly a one-off. > > So, Germans and others traveling through Germany these days, how in-you-face is it? What’s the mood? 'Toon. I’m an American and have been living in Germany for almost 10 years now. You will see no signs of Nazi anything here. Relax, have a beer, see the sites and enjoy the food. There’s literally nothing to worry about in regards to resurgent support of the Nazis in Germany As someone else pointed out you’d do far batter to worry about being hit by a train but even that chances of that happening are slim. Where in Germany are you headed? ---
**Author:** ![Chihuahua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dec6dc/32.png) [@Chihuahua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chihuahua)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146/38 "2014-06-20T06:51:33Z")
I lived in Germany for five years and saw precisely 0 incidents of neo-Nazism. Imagine a German coming to America and asking how many KKK members they will encounter. Your odds of running into them are about the same. ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146/39 "2014-06-20T07:06:02Z")
We would be a lot more worried for your safety if you _were_ a Neo Nazi travelling to Germany. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146/40 "2014-06-20T07:56:30Z")
Thank you, this is the kind of information I was looking for. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-germany-this-summer-how-much-neo-naziism-will-we-encounter/691146.md?page=3)