Not to be outdone by its main rival "Focus" magazine, the German news weekly "Der Spiegel" has now published tips for Germans during the 2006 World Cup.

There has been a lot of advice for foreign fans who will soon descend upon Germany for the one month football orgy known as the World Cup. But what about the Germans who are hosting the tournament? How should they act?

"Just be German," is the tongue-in-cheek advice "Der Spiegel" is giving the German people as they host the tournament. "If possible, with a touch of humor." (All quotes are from the German-language "Der Spiegel" website.)

Should any errant Americans wind up at the former Nazi party parade grounds in Nuremberg when Team USA plays Ghana there in the opening round, Germans need to have the right answer if any Yanks should ask about Joseph Goebbels: "He is dead." However, they shouldn't say: "I am so sorry, but that guy is dead." In answering the question, it might be wise for the hosts to add that Hitler is also dead and that Germany's current leader is Angela Merkel.

For German women who watch the tournament, "Der Spiegel" has this advice: "Admittedly 'Poldi' and 'Schweini' (nicknames of two German football players) sound a little less elegant than Alessandro Del Piero or Francesco Totti, and the movements of German kickers are for the most part stiffer, heavier and less fluid than their smooth Italian competitors. But that isn't what it is all about. It is about justice for Germany." The advice is that the ladies should not swoon so obviously for the Italian, French or South American players, since that would harm what German coach Jürgen Klinsmann – who lives most of the year in California – calls "our spirit".

In general, the Germans are encouraged to help out. "Don't leave everything up to the official helpers. Even 40,000 police officers, 7000 German soldiers and 4000 hostesses can't do everything . . . When asked, give information about how to get to the Hofbräuhaus – even if you, being from Hamburg, have to give the honest answer that it is a long way to Munich."

With all the advice visitors and their hosts are getting, this World Cup tournament should be a pretty harmonious affair! 🙂