I say "Germany." What's the first thing you think of?

[elbows]

How is it possible that ‘beer’ is not a choice, in this poll?

[Guinastasia]

Another here for beer. Also leiderhosen and acordions.

[scootergirl]

Living in Cologne Germany at age seven — 1970. Walking a few blocks away by myself to a market where I bought a bag full of Haribo gummi bears. Strolling back home chewing away with a smile on my face and suddenly realizing that I had taken a wrong turn and was completely lost. I wasn’t afraid though.

Gummy bear

[Khadaji]

Put me in the beer camp.

[Thudlow_Boink]

@Guinastasia

Also leiderhosen

I know enough German to find this word amusing.

(I assume you meant “Lederhosen.” “Leiderhosen” would mean something like “unfortunate pants.” Which word I’m now going to be looking for an opportunity to use.)

[Indian]

I am an engineer and appreciate the automobiles, machinery, and the quality of the German products.

This was reinforced by a story narrated to me by the CEO of a company I worked for.

[Qin_Shi_Huangdi]

When people say Germany I generally think of the Second Reich rather than the Hitler abberation.

[ExTank]

I think of good beer, good food, good music (Polka!), nice, temperate climate, Walds, picturesque towns, villages, and hamlets.

[LurkerInNJ]

BMW.

[Elendil_s_Heir]

@Kenm

Just like the last time.

LOL. Reminds me of Tom Lehrer’s “MLF Lullaby”:

Once all the Germans were warlike and mean,
But that couldn’t happen again.
We taught them a lesson in nineteen eighteen,
And they’ve hardly bothered us since then…

@Thudlow_Boink

…(I assume you meant “Lederhosen.” “Leiderhosen” would mean something like “unfortunate pants.” Which word I’m now going to be looking for an opportunity to use.)

I once made the mistake of referring to “Liederhosen” - “song pants”!

[Drunky_Smurf]

First thing I thought of was chocolate cake.

[Elendil_s_Heir]

Speaking of (in)famous Germans: Bismarck’s Voice Among Restored Edison Recordings - The New York Times

[DadWagonDriver]

@silenus

Kaiser Wilhelm II

Of course, I’m in the middle of the World War One unit right now.

I thought of Auschwitz for similar reasons - my classes just finished reading Night.

[jabiru]

Volkswagen. The real ones from years ago, not the pretend ones they’ve brought out in recent years.

[taskmgr.exe]

My German textbooks.

[Fear_Itself]

Cuckoo clocks.

[panache45]

Hitl.
Hitler.
Hitlest.

[Leiko]

Food, because one of my middle school best friends/high school friends/now Facebook-based acquaintances constantly bitches about much better the food was in Germany. (He did a semester, or was it a year, of exchange during high school.)

Second I think of the outline of the borders, and third, beer.

[dogbutler]

I think about the lady I met through online dating.

@Inigo_Montoya

I think of shiny black leather. Zooming out the leather turns into the foot of a black leather riding boot. Out further it is a long, slender, mid thigh-length boot attached to what I’m almost certain is a woman in a matching black-leather teddy with a 10’ whip hanging limply at her(?) side. She’s got a very pale face and crimson lipstick highlighting a derisive sneer. She is wearing a matching service cap. She says, “Bad American!” There is a sharp report from the whip and I cry furiously into a ball gag, my hands cuffed securely behind me. I pay her in Trident Layers gum.

this also made me think of her.

[April_R]

I think of German food and beer.