Dortmund, Germany

[incuriam]

I was hoping to take my elderly grandfather to Dortmund in Germany to see the famous Christmas fair. However, he suffers from dementia and is prone to making the occaisional rude gesture, a favourite being a rather offensive looking nazi salute. My boss is married to a German lady and he told me that in Germany it is actually illegal to salute like a nazi.

 

Is my boss just kidding me? If not, does anyone have any tips on how I could 'restrain' my grandfather (he uses his right arm to salute, and his left hand to make the 'moustache') while maintaining his dignity?

 

Thanks.  

[Glossopswift]

It is only an offence in Duisberg - Germans in other cities love it - why not join in with your father and get a crowd going? If you really must restrain your father whilst in Germany then piano wire is both practical and historically acceptable.

[incuriam]

Thanks. That's quite a relief. My grandfather hasn't been back to Germany since his imprisonment during the war and I don't know how kindly he would have taken to being locked up in Dortmund.

 

I'm not convinced about the piano wire, but my wife has been inspired. I have to admit her latest results are quite the ticket. By using gardening gloves for his hands and a length of sturdy twine which is threaded through the arms of his wheelchair, she has discovered that it is impossible for him to salute and make the 'moustache' at the same time.  

[Philtaz]

I believe it IS illegal in Germany, as it is definitely illegal to display a Swastika.