kleeblatt

Clashing of cultures: These same offenders will go out of their way to protect their sisters or other respected females of their community who follow the social norms of their culture but because European women follow other social norms, some of these men interpret it as women who they do not need to respect and thus their advances are appropriate.

We've had cases of this in Switzerland too. Refugee organisations have now begun to instruct these men on how to behave and the consequences they can expect if they don't.

Blueeyedcod

<thus their advances are appropriate.>


Since when was sexual assault an advance? Even people of these 'cultural norms' as you put it can tell the difference. Your argument is absurd.

Cowboy1968

It was/is obviously NOT the women's fault if she gets molested or assaulted.

Though, traveller1959 is correct in one detail when stating that the activities during NYE ARE very different in Germany from what you know in the US, Canada or the UK.

NYE in Germany is not like 4th of July with fireworks minus the BBQ.
Especially the larger cities turn into warzones, with firecrackers going off non-stop from dusk till New Year 3-4am. And those firecrackers make a big boom, and would be powerful enough to blow up your letter box. The illegal ones from Poland contain even more blackpowder.

In earlier years, I would be away to visit friends to get away from it.
On Dec 31, I had no intention to roam around after dark, if only not to become the target of rowdy youth throwing firecrackers at people.

The official statistics, ONLY for 31Dec/1Jan and ONLY for Berlin:
Fire department: 432 fires
Ambulances: 1,053 assignments
Police: 3,588 "911" calls; 1,749 assignments
Casualties: 2 dead, 50 hospitalized

Again: the purpose is not to excuse or explain the assaults/crimes. Just to illustrate that NYE is not just a nice communal celebration (in the big cities).

Blueeyedcod

I've spent NYE in Naples, Italy many times and they have their fair share of fireworks in the streets and rowdiness as well. I don't see your point? How is idiocy with fireworks related to heinous assault of women?

Fussgaenger

"traveller1959 is correct in one detail when stating that the activities during NYE ARE very different in Germany from what you know in the US... firecrackers going off non-stop from dusk till New Year 3-4am. And those firecrackers make a big boom, and would be powerful enough to blow up your letter box."

That sounds EXACTLY like what goes on in towns all over America these days on both NYE and July 4. I've never lived in any community where I could count on a decent night's sleep on NYE. July 4 means fewer illegal fireworks (which are nearly ALL illegal here because of the summer fire danger) and most people enjoy the public fireworks displays instead (which are surrounded by fire trucks, etc.)

Anyway, let's not pretend that the criminals in Cologne were participating in NYE "tradition"; sexual assaults, physical assaults and robberies are NOT part of "traditional" NYE fun in the US, the UK, or Canada - OR GERMANY EITHER! Revelers in the US sometimes shoot bullets in the air and blow their own hands and fingers off with illegal fireworks and start fires by accident. But NOWHERE does NYE tradition call for attacking one's fellow citizens with the intent to do harm.

Cowboy1968

What part of "the purpose is <b>NOT</b> to excuse or explain the assaults/crimes. Just to illustrate that NYE is not just a nice communal celebration (in the big cities)." was to complicated to understand?

I just got the impression that some posters think of NYE as a nice celebration without any harm that can be possibly done. Especially when you live in areas where private fireworks are restricted. When I was in the UK, Ireland or Spain, you barely noticed midnight.

It was just a remark on a side issue and NOT NOT NOT meant to give a logical explanation for sexual assault, rape, robbery.

Firecrackers and fireworks are perfectly legal here - and they ARE used to cause harm against others on purpose. Many stupids will throw them at you - obviously not in NYC but HERE.

The topic of THIS thread are not the assaults in Cologne alone, but OP asked a general question about safety.
And yes, I would not recommend any tourist to roam around on NYE in many areas of the city and to be extra cautious in every area of the city.

Please get off your mind that I am looking for excuses when there are none and when I am NOT looking for them.

bilboburgler

Interesting to see the OP's sensible question being sent all over the place.

nana where you are going you and your grandchild will be safe. However, there are sensible rules for visiting any society.

Mrs Bilbo, for instance, is not street smart. Hence we have an agreed code word "ahoy" in our case so that when the next drunk german hoves into view (and yes they get drunk) I can get her focus and not join in a game of patter-cake.

So use this as an opportunity to help the kid get into tune with the street.

The little places you are visiting are not going to be exciting enough, but..... lets keep it that way.

bilboburgler

whathello, chill man,

I understand your frustration at non-europeans getting some concern about visiting but this might help.

I try to think that my mother was asking

Whathello

My last hot comment dates from12 jan. I have indeed chilled but the situation is still murky.

Regards to your mother

dcCurmudgeon

I just came across this thread and am amazed at the hostility and irrational emotion with which the OP was greeted. I will be traveling to the region with my wife and daughter this summer and don't expect to have problems, but I am also not covering my eyes and pretending there is no problem. If you think it's just Cologne or just "racists" and "Islamaphobia", you are deceiving yourself. For example:
http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/65...s-rape-germany

As for why "refugees" was put in quotes, perhaps I can offer an answer. The EU itself has noted that at least 60% of the migrants in Europe are not actual refugees fleeing war, etc. Also note the percentage of migrants that are single and male; I have seen figures of 70% and higher.

The original question was perfectly reasonable and did not deserve the response it got.