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Not sure what you are looking for in this discussion, OP, but every country has different views and different laws. What we consider inappropriate or illegal doesn't mean s*** to other countries. Something that would be funny or benign here might get you locked up or killed somewhere else.
Not sure why you are taking other posters to task for their comments, this is just the way it is and those tourists crossed some line, just like Otto did. We might not understand it, but it is not our country to decide the appropriateness of their laws.For example, someone from another country might find our laws about urinating in public inappropriate. Maybe in their country they take a leak in their streets all the time.
We are not deciding anything. We talk about the issue, which is what the forum is about.
It's an obvious fact that the tourists broke the law so I consider it a waste of time to overstate it. I am more interested in people's options on the law per se.
Not sure what you are looking for in this discussion, OP, but every country has different views and different laws. What we consider inappropriate or illegal doesn't mean s*** to other countries. Something that would be funny or benign here might get you locked up or killed somewhere else.
Not sure why you are taking other posters to task for their comments, this is just the way it is and those tourists crossed some line, just like Otto did. We might not understand it, but it is not our country to decide the appropriateness of their laws.For example, someone from another country might find our laws about urinating in public inappropriate. Maybe in their country they take a leak in their streets all the time.
You are right. But I was naive enough to believe Germany should be part of the free world.
Next time I travel to a foreign country, I'll spend a whole week reviewing its laws before going.
We are not deciding anything. We talk about the issue, which is what the forum is about.
It's an obvious fact that the tourists broke the law so I consider it a waste of time to overstate it. I am more interested in people's options on the law per se.
The law probably seems unusual to people who were raised in the US. To those from other countries, probably not so much. In any case, if the people of Germany thought it was a bad law, it would undoubtedly be changed. Unless someone proposes a similar law here, I'm not sure why our opinions are relevant.
Only Germans have enough context and knowledge to determine whether a law is appropriate for their country.
North Koreans probably claim the same thing, and actually I agree with them to some extent. However, Germany is a western country so I would expect them to follow the guidelines of western Europe or North America. The US, for example, will never punish anyone for making a gesture in a casual, personal scenario.
Moreover, do you think the Chinese tourists did that to promote Nazi ideology or advocate xenophobia? Probably not. So if they have to outlaw the "Heil Hitler" solute, they should also consider what it refers to in the particular circumstance, not just a form.
Well, maybe they have bad taste. But making a pose to take photos can be illegal?
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German police have arrested two Chinese tourists for making illegal Hitler salutes in front of the Reichstag building that houses the German parliament.
Berlin police officers say they detained two men, aged 36 and 49, after they were seen striking the Nazi-era pose and photographing each other with their mobile phones.
They face charges for “using symbols of illegal organisations”, the police said in a statement, and were released after posting bail of €500 (£450) each.
It is illegal in Germany and Austria, the Nazi salute is also banned in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, whilst Switzerland and Sweden brand it a hate crime. I would however be careful of making such a salute in most countries as a lot of people find it offensive and I should imagne it would not go down well in Israel or Russia or many other such countries. Whilst it may also be branded a hate crime in other countries if it is used as a means to perpertrate racial or religious hatred.
The law probably seems unusual to people who were raised in the US. To those from other countries, probably not so much. In any case, if the people of Germany thought it was a bad law, it would undoubtedly be changed. Unless someone proposes a similar law here, I'm not sure why our opinions are relevant.
So people from other countries can't comment on our laws, or customs in the U.S.? I see a lot of bashing of our right to keep at bear arms here from foreigners. Should their comments not be allowed about our firearms? No, they should be welcome to comment, and voice their views as much as I am about their lack of free speech.
Loretta Lynch, and the Obama Dept. of Justice wanted to start arresting people for SPEECH against Muslims. Do you want that too? It seems Germany would be just fine with that.
The law probably seems unusual to people who were raised in the US. To those from other countries, probably not so much. In any case, if the people of Germany thought it was a bad law, it would undoubtedly be changed. Unless someone proposes a similar law here, I'm not sure why our opinions are relevant.
The problem is,the people of Germany are not allowed to express what they really think.
You are right. But I was naive enough to believe Germany should be part of the free world.
Next time I travel to a foreign country, I'll spend a whole week reviewing its laws before going.
Free speech issues totally aside, it's a good idea, when traveling, to know the laws of your destination. Always has been.
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