# Hitler clothing store **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 30, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160 "2012-08-30T16:39:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160/1 "2012-08-30T16:39:17Z")
[Linksy.](http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/29/13552300-hitler-clothing-store-in-india-sparks-row?lite) \*“Frankly, till the time we applied for the trademark permission, I had only heard that Hitler was a strict man. It was only recently that we read about Hitler on the internet.” \* Yeah, right. Why the swastika then? ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160/2 "2012-08-30T16:46:41Z")
Wow. Well…its ballsy, I’ll give him that. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160/3 "2012-08-30T16:56:54Z")
Two quotes from the article stand out to me: > [@](#): > > Shah said he cannot afford to change the name after spending his money on the original branding effort, but said he’d be willing to change it if he were compensated. Who does he expect to compensate him? The customers that won’t come into the store because they are offended? > [@](#): > > According to a BBC report, Hitler memorabilia has become a growing business in India, attracting particularly younger Indians. Many reportedly admire Hitler’s discipline. > > Prayag Thakkar, a 19-year-old student in Gujarat state, told the BBC: “I have idolized Hitler ever since I have had a sense of history. I admire his leadership qualities and his discipline.” The education system in India needs an upgrade. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160/4 "2012-08-30T16:58:57Z")
> [@PlainJain](#): > > Yeah, right. Why the swastika then? You know the Swastika is a symbol with a lot of cultural and religious history in India, before Hitler appropriated it? But yeah, I mean, opening a Hitler-themed _anything_ is a terrible act of cultural insensitivity, but it’s not the first time it’s happened in India. Here’s a story about a Hitler-themed restaurant, where, again, the proprietors claimed ignorance: > **[DropCatch.com](https://www.DropCatch.com/domain/who-sucks.com)** > > DropCatch.com helps you secure expiring domain names. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160/5 "2012-08-30T17:03:33Z")
So it goes without saying that whenever Prince Harry is in India he spends a few euros there. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160/6 "2012-08-30T17:06:41Z")
I think **Siam Sam** has posted some instances of this sort of thing happening in Thailand, too. Buddhists are already familiar with the swastika although the Nazis oriented theirs in the opposite direction. I would think that some people who are out of touch with European and Western culture might only have a vague idea of who Hitler is and as such, they might not realize what they’re saying. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160/7 "2012-08-30T17:08:08Z")
So, do they sell jack boots and riding breeches? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160/8 "2012-08-30T17:26:32Z")
So the store owner is trying to curry favor, even though it appears he speaking out of his ass? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160/9 "2012-08-30T17:47:18Z")
Mmm, curry… ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160/10 "2012-08-30T18:01:48Z")
“Hitler: You can’t be the snazziest without a little nazi.” ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160/11 "2012-08-30T18:12:24Z")
Yanno, I was going to come in here to say that, ironically, Hitler was not that great at self-discipline despite his image. If he were, he might have made a better artist. But I have to hand it to him, that he was better at self-discipline than most politicians, leading a _comparatively_ abstemious and ascetic life. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160/12 "2012-08-30T19:49:28Z")
If he wanted it to be truly Hitler-specific, he should sell that charcoal-lined underwear for the chronically flatulent. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160/13 "2012-08-31T02:33:49Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > You know the Swastika is a symbol with a lot of cultural and religious history in India, before Hitler appropriated it? :smack: Acutally yes, I did know that. I guess seeing it with the word Hitler glamoured me. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160/14 "2012-08-31T03:16:21Z")
I don’t see what the big deal is, Hitler is really only considered the pinnacle of evil because he was our political enemy. Stalin was an even bigger monster, but because he was our ally in WW2 we don’t really mention his crimes. Mao killed millions and we consider him a wee bit o a dick but it isn’t to the level of anti-Hitler sentiment. India sent a few million troops to fight in WW2 against the Axis powers. But I have no idea what effect WW2 had on Indian culture. My point is, maybe a store named after Hitler in India is about as controversial as someone in America running a store named after Attila the Hun, Napoleon or Ghengis Khan. ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160/15 "2012-08-31T04:20:30Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > You know the Swastika is a symbol with a lot of cultural and religious history in India, before Hitler appropriated it? At 45 degrees, right-facing, and on a white circle? ---
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160/16 "2012-08-31T04:58:12Z")
If they don’t like name, then the Indian Jews shouldn’t shop there. Right now all they are doing is giving the shop free publicity. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160/17 "2012-08-31T05:51:40Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > “Hitler: You can’t be the snazziest without a little nazi.” Oh shit. This is so goddamn funny. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160/18 "2012-08-31T06:23:15Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > I don’t see what the big deal is, Hitler is really only considered the pinnacle of evil because he was our political enemy. Stalin was an even bigger monster, but because he was our ally in WW2 we don’t really mention his crimes. Mao killed millions and we consider him a wee bit o a dick but it isn’t to the level of anti-Hitler sentiment. > > India sent a few million troops to fight in WW2 against the Axis powers. But I have no idea what effect WW2 had on Indian culture. > > My point is, maybe a store named after Hitler in India is about as controversial as someone in America running a store named after Attila the Hun, Napoleon or Ghengis Khan. I guess the educational system in India isn’t the only one that needs some work. Lemme help you out: [ > [@](#): > > India officially declared war on Nazi Germany in September 1939. The Provinces of British India, being colonies of the United Kingdom, were by default, a part of the Allied Nations and sent over three million troops (who volunteered) to fight alongside Allied Forces against the Axis powers. Additionally, several Indian Princely States provided large donations to support the Allied campaign during the War.[2] Indians fought with distinction throughout the world; in the European theaters of Germany and Italy, in the deserts against Rommel and in the Asian region defending the India against the Japanese, and liberating British colonies such as Singapore and Hong Kong when the Japanese surrendered after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. > [@](#): > > The Indian National Congress, led by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Maulana Azad, took a strong stance against Fascism and Nazism.[8] Gandhi, in an open letter to Adolf Hitler, touted tolerance and viewed Nazism as a source of violence.[8] Several other Indian leaders and politicians expressed concerns over the rise of Fascism and Nazism and supported the British cause. > [@](#): > > At the outbreak of World War II, the Indian army numbered 205,000 men. Later during World War II the Indian Army became the largest all-volunteer force in history, rising to over 2.5 million men in size. ]([India in World War II - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India_in_World_War_II)) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160/19 "2012-08-31T08:30:02Z")
> [@tellyworth](#): > > At 45 degrees, right-facing, and on a white circle? No idea - probably not, but what’s your point? I’m not suggesting it’s there by accident. ---
**Author:** ![KKKK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/48db29/32.png) [@KKKK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KKKK)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160/20 "2012-08-31T10:29:19Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > I don’t see what the big deal is, Hitler is really only considered the pinnacle of evil because he was our political enemy. Stalin was an even bigger monster, but because he was our ally in WW2 we don’t really mention his crimes. Mao killed millions and we consider him a wee bit o a dick but it isn’t to the level of anti-Hitler sentiment. > > India sent a few million troops to fight in WW2 against the Axis powers. But I have no idea what effect WW2 had on Indian culture. > > My point is, maybe a store named after Hitler in India is about as controversial as someone in America running a store named after Attila the Hun, Napoleon or Ghengis Khan. At the time of WWII, India was under British occupation. Many Indians considered imperial Britain to be a greater enemy then Nazi Germany. Besides, if you look at the damage caused to India by imperial British policies, including the couple of million Indians who died in the Bengal famine in the 1940s-- perhaps Churchill should be as reviled as Hitler? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-clothing-store/633160.md?page=2)