Hey Pig! Germany's Steep Fines For Animal Insults ('Stinkefingers' Ain't Cheap Either)

[The Northerner]

Humans often hurl animal-based insults at each other. But in Germany, crass language can be costly, especially if you call someone an “alte sau.” Silly goose, not so much.

Every year, thousands of German drivers learn the hard way that it’s just not OK to call someone a “dumb pig.” The insult risks a fine of between 500 and 2,000 euros.

Call someone an “alte sau” or “old sow” – the highest level of verbal abuse – and the fine is even stiffer: 2,500 euros. On the other end of the scale are tamer insults like “silly goose” or “stupid cow.” German authorities consider these to be less serious than pig-based affronts, and fines only cost around 300 euros.

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In Germany, however, getting caught doing this is only going to land you in hot water. And verbal insults are not the only ones German laws take umbrage with – insulting gestures prompts fines as well. Caught suggesting that someone is crazy by putting a finger to your head will cost a sliding percentage of monthly income. If this works out to 1,500 euros net per month, for example, then das Zeigen des Vogels can cost anywhere between 1000 and 1500 euros.

Read more: http://worldcrunch.com/hey-pig-germanys-steep-fines-animal-insults-stinkefingers-aint-cheap-either/3540