Political Symbols was: Re: Germany move
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In a message dated Fri Jan 16, 2004 6:19pm, SandraDodd@a... writes:
<<<<<<< Especially when the crime involves a symbol of the political
entity, don't you think? >>>>>>>>
It's interesting to me that many Europeans I've met (Germans in
particular) are very apathetic - lackadaisical - unconcerned - not
sure exactly what word I need here - toward nationalistic symbols.
They are frankly uncomprehending of American patriotism and don't get
what the big deal is if someone wants to burn a flag as a symbolic
gesture - as one pragmatic German friend said to me, "It's just a
piece of fabric."
I think if this incident had happened in Germany, if the crime had
been prosecuted at all, it would have been as theft without any
additional hoopla about desecration of a national symbol. I think
this was also the case in the incident in Greece.
I don't know any Greeks, though, so maybe they do have more of an
attachment to their flag.
Mercedes
who finds cultural differences just fascinating.
<<<<<<< Especially when the crime involves a symbol of the political
entity, don't you think? >>>>>>>>
It's interesting to me that many Europeans I've met (Germans in
particular) are very apathetic - lackadaisical - unconcerned - not
sure exactly what word I need here - toward nationalistic symbols.
They are frankly uncomprehending of American patriotism and don't get
what the big deal is if someone wants to burn a flag as a symbolic
gesture - as one pragmatic German friend said to me, "It's just a
piece of fabric."
I think if this incident had happened in Germany, if the crime had
been prosecuted at all, it would have been as theft without any
additional hoopla about desecration of a national symbol. I think
this was also the case in the incident in Greece.
I don't know any Greeks, though, so maybe they do have more of an
attachment to their flag.
Mercedes
who finds cultural differences just fascinating.
[email protected]
In a message dated 1/17/04 1:58:37 PM, mulwiler@... writes:
<< It's interesting to me that many Europeans I've met (Germans in
particular) are very apathetic - lackadaisical - unconcerned - not
sure exactly what word I need here - toward nationalistic symbols. >>
I have a German friend who is fascinated with all things American.
He was here on Flag Day one year. Flags were EVERYWHERE. I told him even on
other days, though, there are flags at all the schools, fast food places, car
dealerships... He said he had noticed that and thought it was wonderful!
I asked him whether there weren't flags out at schools and post offices in
Germany, He looked surprised and said there is only one flag flown, and that's
where the chancellor (or whatever he is) is. His charming and sensible
explanation about their not having their flag out more was this:
"It makes the neighbors nervous."
Sandra
<< It's interesting to me that many Europeans I've met (Germans in
particular) are very apathetic - lackadaisical - unconcerned - not
sure exactly what word I need here - toward nationalistic symbols. >>
I have a German friend who is fascinated with all things American.
He was here on Flag Day one year. Flags were EVERYWHERE. I told him even on
other days, though, there are flags at all the schools, fast food places, car
dealerships... He said he had noticed that and thought it was wonderful!
I asked him whether there weren't flags out at schools and post offices in
Germany, He looked surprised and said there is only one flag flown, and that's
where the chancellor (or whatever he is) is. His charming and sensible
explanation about their not having their flag out more was this:
"It makes the neighbors nervous."
Sandra
[email protected]
In a message dated 1/17/04 5:37:34 PM Central Standard Time,
SandraDodd@...
writes:
Yeah, that's a good way to put it. I love Germany now, but it wasn't all
that long ago that vitriolic nationalism was a REAL problem there...
Laura B.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
SandraDodd@...
writes:
> His charming and sensibleLOL
> explanation about their not having their flag out more was this:
> "It makes the neighbors nervous."
>
>
Yeah, that's a good way to put it. I love Germany now, but it wasn't all
that long ago that vitriolic nationalism was a REAL problem there...
Laura B.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]