# Things ruined in Germany by the Nazis **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 5, 2014, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395 "2014-07-05T05:17:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395/121 "2014-07-09T14:33:41Z")
The Nazis sure did a number on the death’s head hussars. ☹ [![](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Knoe02_von_Reutsch_Husaren.jpg) ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Knoe02_von_Reutsch_Husaren.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395/122 "2014-07-09T15:33:57Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > I can’t say I recall ever hearing anybody call the Secret Service the SS. Only when they list out “The FBI, CIA, DEA, SS, NSA etc” ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395/123 "2014-07-09T15:36:03Z")
> [@Chihuahua](#): > > Why should I give a flying fuck? > > Let me examine your train of logic… Random racist asshole, somewhere, in some country, whom I have never met nor heard of and have no desire to do either, comes up with a secret code so that his prison buddies can identify what gang they’re in. So that means I, who have no knowledge of or connection to said asshole, have to go through my life worrying that Random Internet Person might view my username and, with no other evidence whatsoever, infer a relationship that does not in fact exist. > > Let me also make a list of every color that has ever been used as a gang color so that I don’t accidentally wear a tie with that color and have someone assume I’m a Blood or a Crip. And God forbid I wear my tan shirt with black pants, because it might offend some random Irish person I see on the street. I completely agree. However, wearing a orange armband with the tan shirt with black pants might be a bit over the top…😛 ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395/124 "2014-07-10T03:47:43Z")
> [@Chihuahua](#): > > Let me examine your train of logic… Random racist asshole, somewhere, in some country, whom I have never met nor heard of and have no desire to do either, comes up with a secret code so that his prison buddies can identify what gang they’re in. So that means I, who have no knowledge of or connection to said asshole, have to go through my life worrying that Random Internet Person might view my username and, with no other evidence whatsoever, infer a relationship that does not in fact exist. > > Let me also make a list of every color that has ever been used as a gang color so that I don’t accidentally wear a tie with that color and have someone assume I’m a Blood or a Crip. And God forbid I wear my tan shirt with black pants, because it might offend some random Irish person I see on the street. > > Or I can just get on with my fucking life and worry about my real problems. Exactly. I’ve just chosen a letter of the alphabet to signify the message “Fuck you right up in the face. Yeah, and your children too”. I can then use that letter, and have a little chuckle to myself that I secretly gave someone a helluva insult. Until people realize, that is, and that letter gets banned. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395/125 "2014-07-10T12:01:05Z")
> [@Doughbag](#): > > That’s the problem, it’s German and only makes sense in German. German humor does not translate - and what translates makes no sense in English, never mind it being funny. > > The Nazi’s have ruined many things in Germany, like German national pride, but humor wasn’t, either way it’s certainly is not Germany’s biggest export product. > > Having the German flag flying is generally only used for national event. After all, the Germans know, that they are in Germany and don’t have such a short attention span, that needs reminding ever 5 steps in which country they are in. > Its also pretty uncommon to pledge allegiances the a flag outside of fascist countries. > > Germans did not invent racism, this [US institution](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ku_Klux_Klan) was established before the NAZI party formed, the NAZI Germans certainly stepped up acting racism to next methodical level. > > However, Germans make for good villains in many movies. Nein! Ich liebe Bernd das Brot! -Und mein Deutsch ist schlecht Somehow though, whenever I am in Germany (used to be a lot) I find Bernd and both understand and ejnoy it. The first couple of times there, I would get back to the Hotel and seek it out. I didn’t know what was going on, but I couldn’t stop watching. Now I get it! ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395/126 "2014-07-10T13:00:52Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > … > Now, B&H means only one thing to me: the [best place](http://www.bhphotovideo.com) to buy photo gear. Never knew that it could have political meaning. > [@JRDelirious](#): > > …And quite possibly the Least. Likely. Evah. to inspire neonazi confusions (damn now I miss that old smiley), if one knows them even cursorily. Cite Great username/post combo also from **J&R** ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395/127 "2014-07-10T16:45:21Z")
I would have thought “88” was a reference to an Oldsmobile mode, which in turn was referenced by Jackie Brenston (Ike Turner’s band) “Rocket 88”, arguably the first (major) rock and roll song ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395/128 "2014-07-10T17:29:02Z")
> [@Chihuahua](#): > > Also, going back to the stupid 88 thing… > Why should I give a flying fuck? Your choice of “flying fuck” gives me the impression you think you are dismissing my question as stupid. People other than me have commented on how well known that usage is. Hell, I’m sorry neo-nazis corrupted a perfectly good number, but they did. No one is saying that an Olds Rocket 88 is the secret nazi car (that would be the VW Thing), but to ignore the well-known usage of this particular symbology is just willful ignorance. But, go ahead, get that good luck “88” tattooed on your neck, put a Sanskrit swastika on your schoolbook, put that Confederate flag on your car (not because you’re racist, no no, because they look cool), whatever. Just don’t act all dumbfounded when people judge you because of it. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395/129 "2014-07-10T17:49:28Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Sanskrit swastika You mean a Hindu (or Buddhist) swastika. Sanskrit is a language. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395/130 "2014-07-10T17:56:26Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > You mean a Hindu (or Buddhist) swastika. Sanskrit is a language. I believe you are correct. I think I am conflating the origin of the _word_ swastika with the origin of the _symbol_ swastika. ---
**Author:** ![cookiecuttercc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@cookiecuttercc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cookiecuttercc)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395/131 "2014-07-10T18:30:41Z")
Even just plain ol’ flying the current gold-black-red German flag is considered too nationalistic by the Germans I know. You rarely see German flags being flown except in Berlin—unlike your local elementary school or local Wal-Mart. The closest thing to national pride that’s socially allowed is rooting for Germany in the World Cup. and I’d add German food in the US (spaetzle, schnitzel, even German cake). Completely out of sight even in areas where German descendants are the biggest ethnic group by plurality. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395/132 "2014-07-10T18:49:11Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > You mean a Hindu (or Buddhist) swastika. Sanskrit is a language. Heh, one of the first cases I worked on as an articling student involved the Hindu swastika, of all things … and the fact that, in the popular mind, it was forever ruined by the Nazis. The client was a recently-immigrated Hindu community group, who was seeking legal advice as to how to respond to the fact they were getting rudely dicked around by the municipal planning board - who was throwing up all kinds of bullshit red tape barriers to prevent them from building a community centre. They had no idea why (and were assuming it was anti-Hindu bigotry). The key to this was that the board had never actually set eyes on these folks - only seen their correspondence. One look at the community group’s letterhead solved the mystery of why they were getting dicked around … it was decorated with swastikas and prominently used the word “Aryan”. A single phone call solved this alleged “problem”, with a little bit of education as to the difference between Hindus and neo-Nazis. The paperwork issues melted away. We tactfully suggested to the client that, to avoid similar problems in the future, a different decorative motif be used on the letterhead. Not that Hindus do not have every right to use their own symbols, but the cost is having to educate everyone or suffer a certain amount of hostility. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395/133 "2014-07-10T20:20:36Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > I can’t say I recall ever hearing anybody call the Secret Service the SS. In the United States, the initials SS are used more commonly to mean Social Security. ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395/134 "2014-07-10T20:45:36Z")
> [@Remember\_me](#): > > … > > The word “Führer” is used in Germany mostly in compound words (Führerschein - driving license, Spielführer - Team captain in soccer). On its own the word “Führer” is sometimes used for a tour guide. It might lead to some sniggering among people, but it is mostly understood to completely harmless. For a “leader” of any sorts the word “Anführer” is used, never “Führer” - still very close, but seemingly different enough. Heh. 😃 When I was about 16, I spent a couple of weeks in Bavaria with a school group. Because of lack of German speakers amongst us - even the adult leaders, for goodness’ sake, didn’t speak any German\* - I was the person who had to make the polite speeches necessary. “Oh, nice people. we have so much enjoyed touring your very interesting factory, which is really fascinating and on behalf of all of us and our group leaders, I would like to express our thanks …blah blah” Now, the thing is that I certainly DID wonder whether “Führer” ought to be avoided. But I thought that it was likely to be the case that ostentatiously avoiding the word might even be more impolite. My thinking was that our hosts might think “Stupid Scottish visitors - don’t they realise the war was ages ago and it’s all different now”. Therefore, although I might have used “Leiter” sometimes, I did sometimes use “Führer”. :smack: remember, the adults in charge of us had no German, and I’m am sure our hosts might have been offended but would have been far too polite to tell me. Luckily, there were a couple of Heidelberg students that we had made friends with, and they were kind enough to explain to me, that my thinking it was all so long ago might be fine in theory, but in practice, use “Leiter”. Isn’t it horrible when you know you have done the impolite thing but there’s no way changing it? :smack: - which wasn’t very clever planning, really. ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395/135 "2014-07-10T20:54:46Z")
> [@cookiecuttercc](#): > > … > and I’d add German food in the US (spaetzle, schnitzel, even German cake). Completely out of sight even in areas where German descendants are the biggest ethnic group by plurality. Really? Even now? That does seems a bit sad. How about German ham? Or Lebkuchen at Christmas? Is German beer OK? Ah, just realised that would be quite a long distance to export beer. OK. But isn’t there a sort of young-people fashion for drinking Jägermeister? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395/136 "2014-07-10T21:04:00Z")
Not true. German beer, Wiener schnitzel, knock wurst, bratwurst, spätzle, Black Forest cake, and other German foods are found in cities all over America and are included prominently in annual German ethnic celebrations in many large cities. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395/137 "2014-07-10T21:10:56Z")
> **[Schmidt’s Restaurant and Banquet Haus](https://www.schmidthaus.com/)** > > Schmidt’s restaurant - voted the official food of Columbus Ohio! Experience this iconic restaurant located in the heart of German Village. Open seven days a week, sorry no reservations. [http://www.wurstundbiercolumbus.com/](http://www.wurstundbiercolumbus.com/) [Http://www.cafemozartgermandeli.com](Http://www.cafemozartgermandeli.com) > **[German Beer Garden | Authentic Biergarten Haus | United States](https://www.biergartenhaus.com)** > > German Biergarten with authentic Bavarian food. Great for any event size, especially in the summer time. Roof-deck with view over the beer garden [Http://www.bestgermanrestaurant.com](Http://www.bestgermanrestaurant.com) ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395/138 "2014-07-10T21:20:35Z")
Just this past weekend I spent an afternoon in the GERMAN VILLAGE neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio, which is decorated with plenty of German flags and has many signs in faux German typefaces saying “Wilkommen!” And other things. It features a (non-kosher) German deli called Katzinger’s and a sausage house called Schmidt’s, Jürgen’s bakery and Kaffee, Haidfrau Haven wine beer & gifts. And Columbus doesn’t have nearly as big a German heritage as St. Louis, Milwaukee, and Cincinnati. German ethnic cuisine might not be as popular as others, but in places where there is some amount of German heritage, it is prominently celebrated. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395/139 "2014-07-10T21:41:18Z")
Is it pretty much acceptable in Germany to be into Wagner’s music & Nietzsche’s philosophy? Because both in the U.S. will get you looked at a bit sketchily in some circles. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395/140 "2014-07-10T23:58:23Z")
As far as I know Nietzsche is wildly misunderstood just about all over. I blame his raging bitch of a sister. Also the fact that he can be _really_ hard to follow at times. Being half-insane will do that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ruined-in-germany-by-the-nazis/692395.md?page=8)