The Germans

Many people would still resent them for the wars they have caused, especially WW2 (not so much in Ireland though). This is quite understandable as they seem to be pursuing a policy of detaching themselves from what happened, even though their grandparents voted Hitler into the Reichstag in a democratic election. Good book on the subject called Hitler's Willing Executioners, forgot who wrote it. Anyways, the Germans seem to be sending out the message that it was the Nazis who were responsible for all the evil, while the German nation was just another victim of these stateless Nazis. You do not have to look beyond "Generation War" (was on RTE a few months before) to see this theme. I also remember talking to a few Germans who praised Hitler's economic achievements. This sort of thing would rub you in the wrong way if you ever visited the likes of Auschwitz or Majdanek. Looking at how well the Germans are doing now, a hint of resentment easily creeps in.

On an individual basis the Germans seem like lovely people. I remember doing German grinds for the LC and the German girl only charged me a 10 p/h, where everyone else would look for close to 40 :O . I also like their beer, bockwurst and schmalzkuchen, good stuff.