Clubfoot Posted October 12, 2001 Share Posted October 12, 2001 Hey there German CM brethren, My dilemma is this. After recently becoming aware of the fact that my wife has a German half-sister (nobody knew, long story), we've been in almost constant contact with one another and they've just come for a visit. They'll be coming to our house for dinner&drinks this evening and I must ask those of you who would know (the Germans) about some matters of protocol. Knowing full well that my German brother-in-law is something of a computer geek, I've been informed that he'll be wanting a peek at my "war room". My problem is this. I don't know whether he (or his wife) have any feelings this way or that regarding war gaming in general or German WWII trinkets. Would I be wise to remove the various Germanic war goodies I have displayed? These include model tanks and other vehicles, a slew of books, Ultimate Soldier German WWII weapon sets, a modern-day Bundeswehr flag, and other stuff. Should this stuff stay or go? How does the average man on the street in Germany feel about this sort of thing? Prompt help required! TIA. (I realize this will get moved to the general forum, but I needed some answers quick!) [ 10-13-2001: Message edited by: Clubfoot ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwolf Posted October 12, 2001 Share Posted October 12, 2001 Most Germans wonder how anyone can care for history, like in other countries. Even if they care, your stuff is fine as long as it doesn't have SS Runes ans Swastikas all over the place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slapdragon Posted October 12, 2001 Share Posted October 12, 2001 <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Clubfoot: Should this stuff stay or go? How does the average man on the street in Germany feel about this sort of thing? Prompt help required! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> If you are worried, you can always just send the stuff to me and I will keep it for you. My German former office mate says, "Tasteful war history materials are not offensive at all. Indeed, I find it interesting to speak to Americans about the war. Holocaust photos and Hitler pictures are a bit much for many to stand, and some issues, like Dresden, can make Easterners upset." "In fact, I would have to ask if the person was an easterner or not, since many people from the east distrust American motives on these things, while most westerners are very understanding of history buffs, except when they turn out to be closet National Socialists." -- Norbert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jshandorf Posted October 12, 2001 Share Posted October 12, 2001 Speaking as an American and putting myself in your shoes.... Is this room out of the way? As in, can you shut the door, and if they didn't know about it would they be any the wiser? Also, just bring up the point before you show them the room. Just tell them, "My 'war room' here has a lot of German WWII relics and such. If things like that upset or disturb you we can skip this room all together if it is all right with you. Okay?" Anyway, it wouldn't worry. If you know you are not some Neo-Nazi nutcase and just a History buff that collects German WWII antiques you have nothing be ashamed of. Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panzer_Meyer Posted October 12, 2001 Share Posted October 12, 2001 I don't they would mind as long (like everyone alse said) you don't have any swastikas and things of that nature, you should be fine. My Grandfather fought in the war, and he still collects anitques from WWII, aside his uniform and gun, etc... So, most likly they won't be offended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scipio Posted October 12, 2001 Share Posted October 12, 2001 Greetings from Germany. First: Please don't rise your right arm and say hello with 'SIEG HEIL'. Remove your swastika wallpaper and the Hitler portraits if you have any. Don't wear your SS uniform. If your visitors don't like your normal wargamers equipment, send them back to Germany. No, send them to somewhere else. Afganisthan for example... But serious, we Germans are only a little bit more critic about our history then other nations. We are not fanatics. Except your visitors are strict anti-military. Then may god be with you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clubfoot Posted October 12, 2001 Author Share Posted October 12, 2001 Thanks for the rapid responses fellas. It really helps. No swastikas about the place, although I'll stow the one book with a prominent SS marking (Skorzeny's "My Commando Operations"). They are westerners and both work in Luxembourg. And to boot, the room is out of the way and sealable (my ol'lady calls it "der cave"). Once again, thanks for the help fellas. I appreciate it greatly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreas Posted October 12, 2001 Share Posted October 12, 2001 Yeah, what Slappy said. Unless you have Swastikas and an Adolf poster on the wall, they will probably just think you are a nutcase. Try the ultimate joke on them, and that Monthy Python's episode with the nice Mr. Hilter in that B&B . If they think that was funny, you are safe. Then again, if they work in Luxembourg, they are probably financial types, who use pliers get into their trousers in the morning... (don't ask) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clubfoot Posted October 13, 2001 Author Share Posted October 13, 2001 Andreas, LOL! Financial types indeed. She's a loan officer/translator and he's an IT specialist for Intratec (which he says deals nur mit geld). Alright, the wife and I think we're ready. We've hidden the his and hers Waffen SS pajamas and covered up all the Mein Kampf wallpaper. Thanks again, fellas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clubfoot Posted October 13, 2001 Author Share Posted October 13, 2001 Just wanted to say thanks for the guiding comments, guys. Dinner went great and Dirk (my new brother-in-law) got a BIG kick out of the War Room. We became instant buddies when he spied the Bundeswehr flag and queried happily in broken English, "You like Gehman Ahmy?". The toys, the tanks, the WWII relics, geegaws & guns... he 'gets' it. His wife on the other hand, couldn't be any further to the left. Upon witnessing us rolling plastic tanks across the war room's ping-pong table and growling out the sound effects of their imaginary motors, she shook her head in sheer disgust and called us "die kinder" for the rest of the evening. Ah well. I made a good friend in Dirk and discovered that our language barrier almost dissolved when rolling our plastic kampfgruppen off to battle. We plan on making the trip to see them next year. When we do, and if we're all still around, I may swing by to meet some of you German CM fans. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warphead Posted October 13, 2001 Share Posted October 13, 2001 Announce it in the forum. Maybe we can meet up at a museum or something Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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