Below, read excerpts from “Insider Threats – Germany: Observations, Insights, and Lessons,” a draft handbook prepared for U.S. forces serving in Europe
First of all: Understand that they may have poor conflict resolution skills and that insults cause irrational escalation of force.
Nazism has been hijacked by a tiny minority of radical Naziists. Do not deride Mein Kampf publicly or use derogatory and inflammatory expressions like “Kraut”….Avoid asking for sour kraut with your sausage.
Understand that they may have poor conflict resolution skills and that insults cause irrational escalation of force.
* * *Cultural Awareness: Show understanding of their culture. Tell them how much you love Wagner and loathe Mendelssohn. Mention their good cars, but not AUDI (company was started by a person of Jewish origins which may, in certain cases elicit some excitable response ).
* * *Etiquette Violations Best Avoided by U.S. troops. Taboo conversation topics include:
Anything related to Jews.
Mention of any other religion and/or spirituality or Gypsies
Debating the war
Making derogatory comments about the Fuhrer or the concentration of certain groups within labor and detention camps
Directing any criticism towards Herr Hitler’s inner circle…Himmler, Goebbels, Speer, Eichmann
Mentioning homosexuality and homosexual conduct
Bottom line: Try to avoid highly charged and emotional issues