I'm American, but half of my family is German. My grandfather was very proud of his German heritage (our last name is Matzenbach, which is actually a village in Germany) and always told me about it. I too am very proud to be German, so I am taking German in school (i'm in German 3, while only takin two years of the language). However, why must some people be as$holes and call me a nazi? It just gets really annoying that people do that. I in no way support anything that happened during the Third Reich, and i think it was terrible. But why are people always being fags about me being german? Does this happen to anyone else? It just really ticks me off.
Also, i want to be a german exchange student in college. what city is the best to go to?
2007-01-20 09:46:01 · 8 answers · asked by milan 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I can really understand you. I'm German and live in Germany. But I've been to many european countries and lived over a year in Italy. Sooner or later people just come to insult you. I've always been ashamed to be German. When you grow in Germany the teach you, that your nationality just isn't ok. But what can you change? So for long time I let myself insulted. I didn't say anything when they made the salute to Hitler (something I've never seen a German doing), I was quiet when they said that my language is ugly, when they called me a nazi, when the talk in militairy tone, when they attribute things to me like being organized, cold, strictly educated. All of this isn't true.
But since I lived in Italy, I found out what my nationality is. There actually ARE differences, but I'm not German like others think what German is. And since I know what is so German about me, I protest, when somebody hurts my feelings with making stupid jokes. Being German for me is: yes, a bit of perfectionism, a bit of correctness, sense for the Gemeinschaft (which would e community), sense of ambientalism, talking 3 languages very good and other 2 not so good...
You don't have to close your ears in fornt of stupid jokes. But make them know that they are ignorant and that they hurt you. No matter what your grandfathers might have done in 2nd world war. SInce you are a good pearson, why blame you?
I know that my grandfathers killed people in 2nd world war. But both grew up in a dictation. One beleaved in nazi-ideology until he ot to fight in Russia, the other one just didn't care but had to go, because he was obliged.
Well, and the Americans are not without guilt... I can tell you. But what does it matter as you treat not with a nation but with singualr persons. Who knows? Your grandpa might be a Jew who escaped, or an artist, a scientist? He might have hidden persecuted people? What do THEY know about that? How dare they to insult?
Berlin is great for Americans I think (I live here right now). Colone is a beautiful city. Duesseldorf as well. Muenchen, they say is nice, but as a non prussian, I'm a bit scepitc about Bavarians. (Just kidding ;-) )
2007-01-20 22:19:01 · answer #1 · answered by Reeka 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i am german too, and i also went thru that.... dont take it personal, thats just ignorant people who doesnt even know or understand what NAZI actually means, im not proud of that part of history in my country, but if u have to look at the bright side of things i would be proud that we had the most powerful army ever had in this world, yeah they might had the wrong ideology or way of thinking but man, there was never another army like that one, just think about how Hitler manage the whole situation, the organization they had. also think about all the master minds that were born german.... the hell with that people and be freaking proud of being german, we might not be the best, but man we're great!!!! ooh and about a city, well i;ve lived in several places all over the country, and the location u might want depends on your lifestyle. duesseldorf is a great place if what u like are big cities with thousand of things to do, frankfurt culture as well as munich, berlin has pretty much everything, colonia beautifull place, near stuttgart, which has a lot of interest places near by, i'd say stuttgart could be your best option, with duesseldorf not that far, munich is also near as well as colonia.... truth, anyplace u go, u'll love it!!!! good luck!!!
2007-01-20 10:52:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I can't figure out either why that's the first thing that pops into people's heads when they hear the word 'German' (along with it being an ugly language- which it's not!). I think some people have issues getting over their ignorant stereotypes and relying on the media for all their information ( I have seen many films or TV shows depicting almost anyone German or of German descent as neo-nazis or such). While this has never happened to me, I have heard of it happening to other people.
As for being an exchange student- I can tell you from experience Regensburg is awesome! But so is Koeln, and I heard Berlin was pretty cool too. I guess it depends on the size, region, or whatever you're looking for.
2007-01-20 09:55:58 · answer #3 · answered by Slotlo 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I was stationed in Germany, and had a chance to travel around much of Europe. Of all the non-English speaking people, I think the Germans are the most like us. Munchen (Munick) is a great city -- but I was stationed in Frankfurt. It too was nice, but it felt alot like an American city. I'd go with Munchen if I had a chance. Good luck! (Oh, try not to worry too much about the "Nazi" thing -- that's just people being childish -- just think how hard it is for other groups who get that kind of thing so much more!!!)
2007-01-20 10:00:02 · answer #4 · answered by CrazyGypsy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure it happens to Polish,French Americans,Italians, c'mon think about all the jokes out there. Whether or not it's offensive or not is in the eyes of the recipient. Of course if someone called me a Nazi, I'd punch their lights out. College= The Einen Pietzen Kleitzen, in Frankfurter.
2007-01-20 09:58:16 · answer #5 · answered by Stuka 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
stupid sterio types. that german sounds ugly (IT DOES NOT!!!! it is actually a very pretty language when spoken fluently), German women are very big (they, again, are not!!! my friend is from Germany and she is prettier than most people i've met!), but i've never heard the Nazi one. i hate people like that, they are just stupid and ignorant! I study Japanese and whenever i bring it up, someone ALWAYS does that stupid Asian tune, and goes "Hong chung HUA!!!!!!!!! it REALLY bugs me because NO language sounds like that, and that is actually called Fake Chinese (again, chinese doesn't sound like that.). Japanese sounds nothing like that, it's a ver pretty sounding language, like German. Don't worry, you're not alone.....ignore them, or just stand up for yourself!
2007-01-20 10:35:07 · answer #6 · answered by 〜ベラベル〜 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
yes, it is common for americans to call anyone German a nazi. i know someone who is only 15, and people call him a nazi cuz he's German and they're idiots.
2007-01-20 09:54:59 · answer #7 · answered by xREDrawr 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It passes for humour amongst the unintelligent.
PS. My wife went to university in Geissen, near Frankfurt, she says it is a great place.
2007-01-20 09:49:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋