Kussen Verboten
I was somewhat interested to hear of a new Bill that is due for debate today in the German Parliament – The Reichstag. In essence, the Bill, if passed, will make it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to indulge in public displays of affection.
Under the new Bill a youth caught petting, could be liable to prosecution and if, for instance, this was carried out in a cinema; he could also be prosecuted for pre-meditation as well, because he would be deemed to have bought the cinema ticket for just such a purpose.
Germany is a country with a long and proud history of culture and was indeed, at the cutting edge of popular culture and liberalism in the 1920’s. This move has been criticised as damaging to Germany’s credibility and is seen by many as more reminiscent of the Third Reich period; many have joked that the Government will deploy an ‘anti hugging Gestapo’ to enforce this, complete with demands for youths’ Ausweiss’.
At the very least, this Bill if enforced, will make Germany the butt of many jokes of the Basil Faulty ‘don’t mention the war’ variety. Comments anyone?