It's not really a contribution to the topic, but I just can't let this be uncommented.

This might happen sometimes... however neither me or any of my german friends would ever 'dare' to order a beer in this way. Having worked in cafés/pubs as well as in a 5* hotel in Germany, I can't agree with you that this happens on a regular basis. ...but maybe it's just the region I'm from.

Reminds me rather of one of these jokes: A German, a French and an American meet...

I agree with you that there are a lot of unpolite germans out there, but I think Helm's story/experience was an example of a really nice foreigner who was dissed only because of his nationality.
However I see where you are coming from, since I'm also often annoyed by rude people. It's just this example...

I tried that once. I was disppointed when I came under attack from several Zulu warriors.

Are you serious? This is Switzerland not America. Nobody will be "highly embarassed" when you tell them. They would most certainly laugh at you.

And it's not racist at all. I see this in american TV-shows all the time. For example in How i met your mother they are joking about canada.

Your sources of information are very credible, I must say.

Face-palm. Thats just normal guys-talk. Plus joking about germans isnt quite as "racist" as joking about black people now is it? That would make the entire "complaints corner" racist towards Swiss people.

Plus i must say the landlord went a bit too far by threatening to call the police, thus implieing that you all are potential criminals.

But, I guess thats a Swiss thing (am I being racist now?) - the police is there to tow cars, stop people from talking loudly on the balcony after 10PM during a party - god forbid the complaining neighbour would knock on the door and tell you himself - and fining people riding bikes on the sidewalk.

Chill.

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Allthough stated as an absolute truth, 90% of what I post is pure speculation.

Sure they are
It was just the first example that came to my mind. And I just wanted to point out that jokes like those are normal. Even in America where people care 10 x more about political correctness than in europe.

Its a brilliant reference. If something is broadcasted by the highly controlled american TV networks -who dare not broadcast the word f-ck nor sh-t, it is the very defenition of social acceptance.

Pfft, typical Swiss.

I don't get it. Where was the joke? Maybe I'm used to better ones, but I can't find it....

If I read this response, or similar, again on this forum, I swear I'm going to go postal.

Why does everything have to be compared to the United bloody States? Why does everyone who complains about anything have to be presumed to be American? Why can't you silly buggers get it into your stupid heads that lots of people find Switzerland different to their home countries, not just the Americans?

"Why don't the Swiss have air conditioning?" "This isn't America!"

"I want ice in my drink!" "This isn't America!"

"I'd rather like to collect my shopping in a car." "This isn't America!"

"It's a bit cloudy today." "This isn't America!"

Yes, we know. And most of us don't care that Switzerland isn't America because we don't come from there.

Thank you for listening.

Probably because most complaints come from Americans

*ducks

Aaaaaaaand slooooooowly breeeeeaaaaath! Good boy, do it again!

A colleague (Swiss) of mine's grandmother came from a Romany background. When another colleague (Czech) learnt this, he told her he was going to hide all his valuables to be on the safe side.
Racism/bigotry/Xenophobia or friendly banter amongst colleagues?

Goosfraba ?

Was that in the Rorke's Drift pub ?

AYB

This isn't America

Or, we are very happy that Switzerland isn't America because we did come from there!

Tom

yeah but Canada is fair game. It's essentially impossible to offend a Canadian. Say your best Canadian-bashing joke to a true Canadian, and they will one-up it with a better one!

the treatment Germans receive here in Switzerland may be a twist of fate, carma getting back at them for their treatment of their foreign minorities back home

Ok, I have to cut this one in pieces because it's... just wrong

It is not normal guys talk. If you actually read the whole post, it is mentioned it is a practice often repeated. And there is nothing "normal" about offensive burst against a specific nationality. Specially when it is actually meant as an offense.

First, it was not a joke. Secondly, constantly verbally attacking germans (or any other nationality) is not an attitude to be accepted anywhere. Thirdly, as so well put by dear nickatbasel, the UN definition of racism actually includes xenophobia. And as explained on this specific reply:

Also explained on the OP, my colleagues are ACTUALLY parking illegaly. Which is a crime. The Hauswart was actually NICELY asking them to remove the cars because he doesn't want to call the police to remove the cars. EVEN THOUGH IT IS HIS RIGHT. He didn't threaten or make a passive aggressive note: he politely offered a possibility to have all parties happy. I actually find it quite curious that people imediately read on the "I wouldn't want to call the police" a passive-aggressive threat, other than an honest sentence. It somehow kinda paints the expectations of people into the dark tones of bullying and prejudice.


And lastly why are we comparing this to the USA again? There were no Americans involved and this attitude is not, should never be, hopefully in the far future will never be, accepted. Racism, in all its forms, including xenophobia, IS WRONG.

Are you then agreeing or conceding that it is actually right to be a racist, even if it's just to teach someone a lesson, to a person which suffers from the horrible fate of... having been born in a specific country? Seriously?

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Fighting for Pluto's liberation from the Dwarf League since 2006 @(°.°)=@)x.X)' ' '