American Reacts to 6 Surprising Things That Are Forbidden in Germany..

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[homesteadlegion]

The name thing makes sense as soon as you switch perspective from the parents to the kids, because the kid is the one that otherwise has to live with the stupid decision of their parents...

[martinaklee-webster]

In Germany, parentel protections aren't above Childs protections. In Germany, it is also forbidden to spank and verbaly abuse your Child.

[JimbalayaJones]

Greetings from 🇩🇪!
-Freedom of speech
In theory, you can say whatever you want in Germany. However, this personal freedom ends there when one offends an individual or a group of people. You can't just spread lies and/or bullshit about people or groups.
This law restricts your personal freedom only to a very small extent, but significantly strengthens the rights of many people.

-Names for babies
Here the child's right to dignity and (mental) integrity is valued higher than your right as a parent to choose a name. The child has the same rights as everyone else from the moment of its existence, but cannot protect itself. That's why such names are not allowed here.

[rolandbriefrel]

Parents should definitely NOT be allowed to call their children anything they like. The first thought ought to be given to the child’s future wellbeing and risk of bullying. Calling your child Hitler or Pol Pot simply because you can, seems fraught with danger. So is Wayne Carr and Mike Hunt 😂😂😂

[mementomori]

"Name law, disagree completely!"

Yeah no, it's a great thing that parents are NOT allowed to name their child whatever the hell they want. Depending on what crazy name they come up with, it could amount to "cruelty to children".
So this is definitely a good law to have.

Children are not the PROPERTY of Parents. Parents have a responsibility for the well being of their child. Giving it a PROPER name is part of that.

[alexandrorocca]

I'm befuddled by the fact that many Americans think that being a dick counts as freedom. Practically, every rule mentioned by Feli aims to protect other people from harmful or very annoying behavior. One person's freedom ends where another's begins.

[rashomon]

Imagine that: "It is illegal to deny or diminish slavery and segregation". Wouldn't that be a statement against systemic racism.

[easy_watching]

the thing about most of those restrictions: from your own perspective you might be restricted by those laws, but when taking the perspective of other people, it kind of protects them.
e.g. it's an annoyance for you not to maw your lawn on a sunday or name your child however you want, but it's actually annoying when you are the neighbor of someone mawing their lawn on your only free day of the week, or when you are the child that has a weird name and gets bullied for it.

so.. the laws are more in place to protect people than restrict them.

[Scooterboi]

I think Germany learned an awful lot from the aftermath of WWII. Respect and honour of others are good lessons to learn.

[billyo]

Hi Joel. The dignity of the families of the Holocaust needs to be protected, I'm sure most would agree. By the same reasoning the dignity of the child may also need protection from idiot parents who want to name their children after inanimate objects or stupid made-up names. The obsession with "freedom" that Americans dwell on may often be at the expense of others dignity. America may need to come down off its high horse 🐎 regarding "freedom" which can be used to justify narcissistic entitlement.

[Kari_Bex]

When I first moved to Germany, ruhezeit - Sunday and night time quiet hours, seemed really difficult to understand and get used to. After living there for a few months I began to love them. Sunday's really are a day of rest and you were never woken by noisy inconsiderate neighbours. Now living back in the UK I really wish we had the laws here.

[TubetakerBHV]

Regarding the name "law": just because you are an idiot (for giving your kids rediculous names) they dont have to suffer for it. So this "law" is just a protection for your own kids not to be bullied for the rest of their lifes. Too sad its necessary.

[rolfoleynik]

Germany is smaller than Montana, but 84 million people live there. We have a lot of apartment buildings, so the volume law is very practical.

[joshuaclinton]

In some countries giving a child a name like the ones listed or of similar types can be viewed as child abuse and in the stricter countries can even lead to temporary loss of custody

[ajeansmonths]

In Germany we have the right to make up names. But as she stated, for the future wellbeing of the kid (bullying, ect.) there are limits. And also because of the first article of our constitution concerning the dignity of the child.
I once saw an American guy interviewed on some topic. his name was "Mike Litoris". Say that out loud... Such things don't happen here.
The "no insulting law" is also based on the dignity article.

[queenslanddiva]

I think these laws are fine - especially the kids' names. There are so many stupid and awful names that poor kids have to live with and suffer from. Give me the German society over the US one any day

[andywilliams]

The name rule is good. It's prevents silly parents from giving children silly names that unfairly draw unwanted attention and embarrassment to the child and leave them open to bullying, ridicule and humiliation from other children and adults.

[cadeeja.]

Please do not forget: we do not necessarily own houses that have quite some space between them, so, if f.e. 8 parties live in one house, it is more important to have rules to make the living so close to eachother more comfortable.

[Flloydffxi]

I am German and I would say the easiest way to understand the general ideas of most of the laws in Germany would be a saying: (rough translation) dont do to others what you dont want to be done too you. In my opinion its the best way to describe it and to live in general😉

[Mozartkugel]

Most german laws are based on general thoughtfulness and respect.

There’s a common saying here that basically sums this up wonderfully:
„Was du nicht willst, das man dir tu, das füg auch keinem anderen zu.“

My mom always used to say that when I was a kid and was about to get into trouble.
It means: „Don't do to others, what you wouldn't want others do to you.“

Doesn’t matter if it’s about noise, insulting people, violence, etc.
It’s basically universal for every law that’s ever existed. Heck, you can even replace all of the 10 commandments with this single line.