Posted on 11/06/2006 11:29:31 AM PST by lizol
Die Welt aims it teutonic wit at Polish stereotypes
From Poland A.M.
The German daily Die Welt has published a satire on Poles which does not shy away from stereotypes.
One aspect of the satire presented ideas on how to improve Polish-German relations, including: legalization of the shadow economy, not locking new cars, a ban on jokes about potatoes and the proposal of vodka pipeline from Russia through Poland. The most shocking element is a joke about Pope John Paul II. Die Welt writes that Poland would like to dismiss Benedict XVI and replace him with John Paul II as recreated by Gunther von Hagens (an artist infamous for exhibiting plasticized corpses). Oliver Michalski, head of Die Welt's online editor's office, said that this was a satire and that is why they had to use stereotypes. He said it has nothing to do with their estimation of Polish-German relations or of Poland. Of a different opinion is Sylvia Hartelif, the spokesperson of the Bundestag's Foreign Affairs Commission. She said that she does not think it was funny and that such a satire destroys their efforts to improve relations. The Polish ambassador in Berlin, Marek Prawda, sent an official protest to newspaper's office on Friday.
Perhaps inherent contempt applies in this case Vox_Pl and Polak z Polski.
In the USA every single immigrant group for the past 200 plus years has been subjected to ridicule, stupid jokes and being singled out over their unique cultural characteristics.
Indeed, in some areas of the USA where there was a large populous comprised of Polish immigrants, other immigrant groups began telling "Pollock" jokes.
Ironically those same immigrant groups telling "Pollock" jokes had also been subjected to nearly identical jokes with the punch-lines amended to include derogatory references about the Irish, Norwegians, Italians, Blacks, French, French-Canadian (aka Acadians aka Cajuns) Scots, Hungarians, Germans, Portuguese, Puerto Ricans, Welsh, Cubans, ethnic Jews, Japanese, Chinese, Koreans, Mexicans, etc.
Not one immigrant, racial and/or ethnic group can claim innocence in perpetuating what often becomes ridicule of another group "not like them."
Fortunately individuals within each "different" group have not all chosen to carry forward with this type social interaction.
Perhaps the behavior mentioned in the article is simply another case of group to group interaction where one group notices cultural differences in another group then in a misguided attempt to understand and accept the differences, resorts to the often insulting brand of humor.
It is also possible that there is something else involved, possibly some behind the scenes entity currently at work promoting German-Polish discord with historical and questionable motives.
In the case of Die Welt, it´s just satire. They´re making fun of the current problems between Germany and Poland, and the Poles make it worse by sending "official notes of protest". The Polish government should accept that we have the freedom of press, it´s not the first time that the government complains about media satire. Maybe it´s the Poles who ain´t funny, rather than "ze hammorless Jermans"? ;-)
From Germany´s view, the fuss is all about the Polish government - they have made their election campaign with anti-German sentiments and continued to do so. While Germany´s President AND Chancellor made their first foreign visits to Poland, the "K-twins" have chosen to ignore their most important neighbour for a while. I think that clearly shows where there´s a will to common work and where´s not.
That's lol-worthy, actually.
Hehe
German intelligence operatives, and German cunning should never be underestimated. They are the best in the word a misdirection. The nation and people are not benign, and have no motivation to become so.
"A German joke is nothing to laugh at." - Mark Twain
To Germans, yes it is satire. Try to understand it from a Polish point of a view and perhaps it will not be as humorous.
Somehow I have a strong sense that Poland is already very familiar with the concept of freedom of the press and in fact, embraces it.
The deeper issue may simply be that good manners make for good relations between neighboring countries.
Is Germany willing to display accord or do we need more reminders of Germany's not so friendly behavior to Poland in World War II?
It has been said that some in Germany continue to harbor guilt over World War II. And it's a fact that there will always exist someone to remind them of it.
Whether it is unjust or unfair for the world to continue viewing Germany through the lens of World War II while ignoring the German resistance and ignoring the fact that it was an evil minority political faction who rose to power in Germany, and not the entire German population, all of that becomes irrelevant in the face of long term memories and collective unspoken guilt.
Perhaps they are anti-German sentiments to Germany but certainly not to Poland. See how that works? ;-)"While Germany´s President AND Chancellor made their first foreign visits to Poland, the "K-twins" have chosen to ignore their most important neighbour for a while."
Trust me on this one, Michael. All of us may be living on the next planet before Poland ignores Germany or the neighbor due East of Poland.
And it doesn't take a Dr. Wernher von Braun to understand that Poland's neighbor to the East is quite pleased and strengthened by any developing friction between Poland and Germany.
Read this first.
Vox_PL, don't put words in my mouth. Don't cut off the hand which is offered to you in peace.
There is nothing I've written or said which can imply that I view your post quoting hateful comments as a joke.
Vox_PL, the only one laughing is the one who has the most to gain from any misery caused by repeating such garbage.
As offensive as your quoted comment is, those who repeat such comments gain power when there is a reaction, when their comments hit a target. That was the goal of whoever first put those words together and called them a joke.
Words are powerful but with no reaction, they are just hot air or ink on paper.
Hopefully the following American expressions can be understood as simply important things to remember:
Don't be a tool.
Don't let words get to you.
Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.
Can you explain what you mean. If Germans are not benign, are you saying that they are malignant?
One characteristic of Germans that I did notice was their almost compulsive attitude about order and authority. They like to have rules, and follow them. Americans prefer to live with a few rules as possible, allowing maximum individual freedom.
On more than one occasion, we were chastised for crossing (walking) against the red light late in the evening, with NO traffic coming. The Germans would stand at the street corner waiting for the light to change, even though there were no cars coming. Americans thought this was insane.
THAT´s the right answer to Die Welt´s satire, which I find funny and I can smile about.
Folks, as I see it again on this thread, you simply want to mock about Germany and Germans. So do this please, get the outrage you desire for the scandalous behaviour of the Nazi-nation - but leave me alone!
The Polish "Super Express" reportedly has proven sense of humor and published another list - good idea! That´s a thousand times better than filing official complaints. Or can you imagine that your PM didn´t want the photographs from his profile? After three hours of world-wide laughing he took this plea back and "allowed" profile-photographs again.
I feel pity for you, you still have a long way to go to perceive Germany like all of our other neighbours! Take the Czechs for example, our relations with them are by far better. And that´s because they rightly know that they´ve nothing to fear of a gas-pipeline or Association of Expelled.
I got a ping to a reasonable message, to which I answered. I did not expect to read more anti-German hate propaganda messages.
Inferority complex? Germany? You must be confusing something. We don´t cry "wolves! wolves!" when France and Poland meet for bilateral talks or when France builds a pipeline to Denmark under the sea. We don´t file protest notes to England when the English press revives WW2 in their soccer articles. Sorry, but I see lots of Poles complaining here... may I hand you a handkerchief to dry your tears??
Huh? Mock you? Mock Germany and Germans? Where did I do that?
Michael, the United States does not have a Prime Minister. We do have a President and today we are having mid-term elections.
Meanwhile all I have to offer is something which is familiar to Germany and hopefully will help bring a smile. :-)
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