[johndunne]

I live in the UK and this will be taken with the tongue in cheek it was delivered with. Most here in the UK will probably appreciate the humor. Now, how to counter?

[dgfitz]

> Now, how to counter?

I have never been to Germany or the UK, so my thoughts are probably uneducated a touch, I really love this response. Instead of somehow becoming offended, find the humor and plan a counter-prank. Make some fun headlines, get a smile out of people reading the news, this is the way.

[Gualdrapo]

I recall hearing on the radio about 20 years ago a story (most probably apocryphal) about how the nazis sent a train full of rubbish to Switzerland trying to provoke them and join the war.

But the swiss get rid of the rubbish, cleaned the train, put flowers and food in it and sent it back to Germany with a giant banner saying something along the lines of "Each one gives the best of themselves"

[no_news_is]

I love this as a story, but I can't find anything backing up the source as true.

[elminjo]

this is the way

[Kurtose]

Helicopters over Berlin blaring Ride of the Valkyries. https://youtu.be/VE03Lqm3nbI

[H8crilA]

Next time a British RC-135 overflies Germany it should change its callsign to Obi Wan Kenobi, or something like that. People from flight tracking forums will take care of the rest.

Though it is not quite flashy enough, hmmm...

[WillAdams]

Or cue:

>Speedbird 206: Frankfurt, Speedbird 206 clear of active runway.

>ATC: Speedbird 206. Taxi to gate Alpha One-Seven.

>BA 747 pulled onto the main taxiway and slowed to a stop.

>ATC: Speedbird, do you not know where you are going?

>Speedbird 206: Stand by, Ground, I’m looking up our gate location now.

>ATC (annoyed): Speedbird 206, have you not been to Frankfurt before?

>Speedbird 206 (nonchalantly): “Yes, twice in 1944, but it was dark ... and I didn't land.”.

https://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=391043

Or perhaps this is more apt:

>Lufthansa (in German): "Ground, what is our start clearance time?"

>Ground (in English): "If you want an answer you must speak in English."

>Lufthansa (in English): "I am a German, flying a German airplane, in Germany. Why must I speak English?"

>Unknown voice from another plane (in a beautiful British accent): "Because you lost the bloody war."

[GJim]

There is the story about an old-boy RAF pilot who, in the late 1970's was towing a target for a German ships gunnery practice.

He joked over the radio, "the last time the Germans shot at me it was during the war".

The reply came back "And zis time I vill not miss".

[ahazred8ta]

In the 70's, James Earl Jones had a CB radio in his car, and did the Darth Vader voice on the road. "You have failed me for the last time."

[johndunne]

Or play out the Faulty Tower's "We didn't start it" clip. "Yes you did, you invaded Poland!" Maybe too close to the bone just yet!

[dkga]

Monty Python’s “Bright side of life”?

[bostonwalker]

Maybe position someone on shore with a megaphone to read out The Funniest Joke in the World?

[cs702]

This is probably the best answer. Thank you for suggesting it!

[mrweasel]

You fly overhead in helicopters blasting the Benny Hill theme song as they sail out the Thames.

[ivan_gammel]

With a theme from Avengers, of course.

[cs02rm0]

Don't mention the war.

[johndunne]

Fawtly Towers reference <3, if anyone wants to know. One of my favourite comedy shows of all time, and ran from 1975 to 1978 or so. 12 episodes total. So, if you have spare time, it's well worth a watch!

[_JamesA_]

I was just on a solo visit to London for the first time. I was pleasantly surprised that there is a Fawlty Towers play [1] and a dinner show! [2]

I, sadly, did not partake in either option. I shall return.

[1]: https://fawltytowerswestend.com/

[2]: https://www.westendtheatre.com/56131/shows/faulty-towers-the...

[FredPret]

> 12 episodes total

I read John Cleese’s autobiography long ago and he mentioned the very different economics of TV in the UK vs the US.

I think it was either the lack of money going into UK TV shows or the lack of a profit motive that led to ridiculously short runs like that.

Fawlty Towers and Yes Minister are top quality shows that should’ve run for 10 seasons.

Luckily their system did better with this when Jeremy Clarkson’s Top Gear came around and we got a lot of that.

[ahazred8ta]

FT was a rehash of a 1963 US hotel comedy featuring Jonathan Harris and Don Adams. (which used the lines "Oh, the pain" and "Missed it by that much") https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bill_Dana_Show

[pragma_x]

There's some truth to this.

Many years ago I met someone that related his travels to Germany. When visiting anything left over from WWII (e.g. old bunkers), or referencing anything that happened back then, they took to mentioning "Smurfs" and "Papa Smurf" to get around angering the locals. This was, of course, after nearly causing an international incident during casual conversation.

[neilv]

Interesting. FWIW, it immediately registered to me (in the US) as inappropriate.

I realized I don't know why they would do that, but regardless of why, my first thought was hotheaded stereotype: how quickly an 'escort' could arrive, of boats/aircraft capable of sinking them.

My second thought was that the escort boats could play Queen's "We Are the Champions" [1] over loudspeakers. If it can be many sailors impromptu singing it, all the better.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04854XqcfCY&t=33s

[walthamstow]

We do consistently boo their national anthem before football games and sing stupid songs like 'ten German bombers'

[johndunne]

Football yobo's... Ignore 'em. British football chants are infamously offensive and intended to agitate. "Fancy a row?"

[Tomte]

Put an aircraft carrier into Lake Constance.

[librasteve]

that's just about all they're good for

[croes]

Don't mention the war

[vundercind]

Luke’s theme?