a shaved head in Germany - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**pinion** · 03-23-2004, 04:04 PM

So I shave my head in the summer months, no big deal. Its something I've done for a number of years, beats the heat and saves you like 5mins in the morning.

I was talking about my travel plans with a woman at work and she said having a shaved head in Germany isn't a good idea. For obvious reasons with Germany's history. She also said they have a skinhead problem there, News to me.

I've thought of this before but figured I wouldn't get any hassel....but now someone else has mentioned it, its bugging me!!

Can someone out there please let me know if having a shaved in Germany is a bad idea? Any other head shavers out there have any advice on this?

**voyd** · 03-23-2004, 04:17 PM

Unless you also wear matching combat boots and swastikas, I'm guessing you will stick out too much as a tourist anyways to be mistaken for a Neo-Nazi?

**joanofarc** · 03-23-2004, 04:23 PM

when i was leaving berlin, i saw a full on neo-nazi apparently meeting a girlfriend... he was dressed in full regalia and carrying a single white rose - ahhaa, it was cool to see that somehow, him being romantic in spite of his bigotry... i sat and tried to imagine his relationship with his woman. the most i could come up with was a comparison between ed norton and farouza balk (sp?) in american history x.

**pinion** · 03-23-2004, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by voyd@Mar 24 2004, 12:17 AM
Unless you also wear matching combat boots and swastikas, I'm guessing you will stick out too much as a tourist anyways to be mistaken for a Neo-Nazi?

Thats what I've always thought. The maple leaf on my bag will do a pretty good job pointing out I'm a tourist

The more I think about it the more I realize the person I was talking to is a complete moron...lol

punter · 03-24-2004, 07:46 AM

There are some right wing groups in Europe, as Im sure there are in the US, and the typical image conjured up when you imagine a member is a skinhead. But if someone sees that you have a shaved head and automatically thinks your a Nazi without getting to know you, then they are probably not worth knowing anyways-they are in effect showing the same irrational prejudice based on looks towards a person that Nazis do.
Id completely agree with Voyd, and im sure no one will give it a second thought.
Sorry for the pseudo-rant.

Im seriously considering shaving my head when I go travelling in the summer even though it doesnt really suit me-it so much less maintenance.

**pinion** · 03-24-2004, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by punter@Mar 24 2004, 03:46 PM
Im seriously considering shaving my head when I go travelling in the summer even though it doesnt really suit me-it so much less maintenance.

Maintenance is the main reason why I'm shaving my head when I go. This way I don't have to worry about packing gel or getting hair cuts. The best part is no hat hair!

**pinion** · 05-05-2004, 07:46 PM

I'm pulling my old threat out of retirement to see if any new people have some fresh input on the subject.

I just got my hair cut extremely short for my trip and all I can think about is "shave it, shave it, shave it, shave it"

B)

**ChasinJason1313** · 05-06-2004, 04:06 PM

I'm sorta in the same boat pinion, only I just cut my hair really short...maybe 1/2 inch

Is it only a poss prob if you Bic it?

**clevercraig** · 05-06-2004, 04:14 PM

I'm in the same boat boys, my hair is extreemly short.....Of course I always where a baseball cap. I guess only Americans wear these things and I intend to wear mine over seas. While I have no intention of being the "ignorant America" (i don't think it's in my nature anyway) I also do not choose to look or act un-American in my everyday nature...Short hair, baseball caps....We all just have to be ourselves. No matter what our nationality and/or appearance.

**joanofarc** · 05-06-2004, 04:18 PM

well said, craig!

**pinion** · 05-06-2004, 05:27 PM

jw, I don't know if its a problem or not. Thats what I'm kind of unsure about. I think craig put it really well about not changing who you are but I just don't really want to be getting funny looks from locals b/c shaved heads are just one of those that are looked down apon in Germany.

Having a shaved head where I live is a pretty common thing, you wouldn't think twice is you walked by someone who shaved or bics their head. But with the history of Germany I don't want to be scaring all the locals away! lol
(or getting my ass kicked

)

**blinkchick2134** · 05-29-2004, 12:30 AM

I went to a German high school for a few days and several kids had shaved heads but no one seemed to notice or really care. I think they view it the same as we do. It's not how you look but how you act. Just don't run up to an old Jewish woman asking for directions.

I didn't mean for that to be a joke, lol. When I had a class about German history (while at the German school) many spoke about how horrible Hitler was and event the kids with shaved heads agreed. Unless you're wearing black or big boots or other types of uniform than I don't believe you'll have a problem.