Many Germans don't know where Ireland is

To quote Wikipedia."The Normans were a people from medieval northern France, deriving to a large extent their aristocratic origins from Scandinavia (the name is adapted from the name "Northmen" or "Norsemen"). ". (Usual Wikipedia disclaimer: it might have been made up on the spot, you can never tell).

Case closed then.

Though from that same Wikipedia article, they didn't necessarily invade Northern France, but instead were allowed to settle there to intercept raids from other Vikings.

Yes the Koreans Belgians and Canadians get miffed upon cross associations. As a Canadian I was always annoyed if a little bit understanding. At the time I was in Japan, Osaka was full of Aussies and Canadians and not many Americans. As a Canadian in Japan though, it's a constant bother that you're assumed to be American, hence I wore a (small) Canadian flag on my shoulder of a sweater or jacket, or it was on my backpack. If dis'ed I'd just say Je n'comprehend pas...

Would a flag on a shoulder help Irish in Germany? Or is all that a major fashion faux pas? Not conducive to long stays perhaps, but it would help.

Cheers
sf2k

The proportion of Germans who would recognize the Irish flag is probably about the same as the proportion who know Ireland isn't part of England (sic).

As a British person I always find it helps to wear one of those tall black furry hats the guards outside Buckingham Palace have on their heads, very easily recognized and great for keeping stuff in.

I'm finding Karstadt's current British themed wear rather amusing at the moment. It's like all women in Britain are hot falconry experts.

can only say I am here now years and heard all, first I dont look scottish,what do you look like as scots? then comes what do they speak for a language in scotland when you say english comes always but you dont speak english!! or where is scotland the number of time i have heard that!! where is the geography in the german schools?

Surely everyone knows that the Irish wear kilts?

So "the Bosch" believes according to a lady I met one evening while out for a drink. She was talking to me in a very Boarisch (Bayrisch auf Bayrisch) accent and when I replied in my best German she asked me where I was from, I replied I was from Dublin in Ireland, she then asked me why I was not wearing my kilt? I told her it was at the cleaners. Geography outside of where Germany is in relation to the rest of the world does not exist in German schools apparently. I have also been complimented on how well I speak German for a "Niederländer" (must be the height)

Alright, I'm gonna have to step in in defense of my people here. Germans, on average, aren't any more or less stupid than other nationalities. I think for every German who doesn't know where Ireland is you can easily find an Irishman who's clueless to the geographical whereabouts of Hessia, or some other federal state for that matter. Hell, I bet ya some would even have trouble finding Germany on a map. I've seen it all before. Anyway, the point I'm making is, it just drives me absolutely nuts when people go on saying things like "Americans are so dumb, they don't even know where Russia is" or "Good Lord, most Germans don't know where Ireland is!" Let's face it, many if not most people, regardless of nationality, are blissfully ignorant of geographical matters (and in some cases their ignorance extends much farther than that). This is no different in Germany or America than in any other part of the world. So please don't think that just because you've talked to a few schmucks who thought Scotland was the capital of England or something like that, all Germans must be geographically challenged, or that it's primarily a German problem. Where there are people, there are idiots.

But how can you make whisk(e)y without kilts? Admit it, you're in denial because you don't want to go into the underwear issue.

As far as geography goes, I don't think - "on average" - people in the UK (and maybe the Irish Republic) are better informed about the rest of the world, or even their own country. Could the average person on the street pinpoint Bavaria on a map? Doubt it. I remember going on a geography field trip at school - from the Midlands to the north of England - and was flabbergasted to find that most of the other kids had no concept of where we were going or where the two counties we were going to were in relation to one-another.

Actually geography lessons are taken very seriously in German schools. At least they were when I was in school (been a while ). The problem is, people seem to erase pretty much everything they were taught from their brains the very moment they graduate. I don't know; maybe the space is needed for more important things, such as memorizing the exact date and time of the next episode of Desperate Housewives.

Yeah, andred, same here. I used to have to memorize and be able to find on a blank map all countries, capitals and main rivers of all continents. Of course I forgot about that as soon as I took the exam. Though while I sometimes have huge gaps in my knowledge of geography (even German geography), generally I think I am okay. At least I know where Ireland is. I've even been there before.

Hi I'm new to this site,

It's not always easy to deal with people who think they know best,
the German person who questioned your understanding of where you come from (as if you wouldn't know)..was either not that interested
or somewhat ignorant towards your feelings, in my experience Germans have a bad reputation for their attitude towards other people,
perhaps they think its a sign of intelligence or confidence to treat other people badly they dont understand.

Irish people are very agreeable and where this is not true they certainly will be counted, British people are indeed different because our identity within the world is forever changing.

p.s this was a reply post to the first one of this thread, like i said i'm new this!

It just shows how broad minded and worldly wise the Germans are. Their lack of world knowledge is astounding. This has greatly contributed to their past attitudes to the world around them. i dont think it will ever change.

And the British (or insert other nationality here, there's one country in North America which comes to mind but I can't quite remember its name) are better how? Let's face it, in any country most people are surprisingly unaware of the big picture. It's only better-educated and / or well-travelled "elites" such as most of the members here who have any real idea what the world looks like outside of their own region of origin.

(Ask any Austrian how many times they've had to explain that they come from a country which does not count kangaroos as part of its native fauna).

most Germans dont know where Wales is either! The ones who do know think its part of England???!!!
And to think they've only just played against Wales in football?

Are you basing that on a poll or something? "Most" Germans, really?

all the German folk ive met anyway.. i dont feel bitter about it.. just makes me feel a little sad how our tiny nation has little recognition outside the UK. have you ever visited?

Wales? No. But I have also not been to Scotland or N. Ireland if that makes you feel any better. My neighbor in Munich is from Wales though (from Llanfairpwllgwyngyll... the town with the 52 or so letters ).

can you imagine it! spelling that place name out everytime you are in an important telephone conversation!

Haha that would be fun, well maybe the first time, maybe the second too. I used to be able to spell it but now I only remember as far as I typed it there.

what does it all mean? something to do with a Church on a Corner...?

Apparently, yeah. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llanfairpwllgwyngyll

"St Mary's church in the hollow of the white hazel near to the rapid whirlpool and the church of St Tysilio of the red cave"

Should clear up any confusion.

Jesus H. Christ, Punchbear, I hope the good Lord above in Heaven can find it in His heart to forgive you for posting that cartoon. Cringe factor 10/10. There's no good in you.
...and it is against the statutes of the Barony, § 11 section 16#, for any foreign national* (Irishman) living abroad to make belittling comment or publish demeaning media matter concerning Greater Ireland without the express permission of The Rantapine or one of his executive officers. Until appropriate apology and financial compensation is made to the Treasury of the Barony, you are to be considered persona non grata in the Barony. Do not take this lightly, my friend. The fight for Barony independence goes on!

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