We have talked about many topics on this site from the first kings of Germany to what you can do in Munich to what you can buy for 20 Euros in a supermarket in Germany.
What we haven’t talked about is World War II. A huge and awful time in history forever intwined with Germany. And, sadly, perhaps the most famous thing Germany is known for around the world. It is the only part of German history I learned about at school.
In fact, when I decided to learn as much as I could about German history, I looked up our state library catalogue online. There were three books on German history not related to the war and about a gazillion related to the two world wars. Such a shame when Germany has such a long, colorful and fascinating history.
Despite the fact that everyone knows about this dark chaper in history, is it something you can talk about in Germany? Or with Germans?
In this article, we’re talking about this as well as what Germans learn about World War II and the Holocaust at school and whether it’s ok to make a Hitler joke around Germans.
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While I don’t live in Germany, my kids did used to attend a German school here in Australia which obviously had many Germans. It would feel awkward if the War came up in any form with someone usually quoting Basil Fawlty from Fawlty Towers, “Don’t mention the War!” and the conversation moving on.
I wasn’t sure what was appropriate.
But I found the video below which is incredible interesting and worth watching in full. It’s from the German perspective and helps answer all these questions.
I have much admiration for how open Germans are about the atrocities of this period in history and the things they do to try to prevent anything like it happening again. I think most countries could learn from this. Mine certainly could.
Want to learn more about German culture? Find our guide to German weddings here and things you must know before visiting Germany here. You can also find all our guides to German culture here.
