Let's see... "German" Hobbyists. We could get a group on the rez to dress up in Lederhosen and Drindl dresses,
Actually, that won't quite work out. There's numerous accounts of American visitors coming here in Lederhosen, Dirndl dresses, not to forget Tyrolean hats (do they ever spend a thought of *where* Tyrole happens to be geographically...), and in firm belief that, dressed this way, they would mingle into the Grrrman crowds quite perfectly. Oh yeah, definitely --- about as perfect as a sore thumb. So, dressed like that, our ndn Grrrman imitators will only confirm what we thought of Americans anyway.
However, I suggest them to wear old uniforms from 18something, when we still had a Kaiser, complete with these spiked steel helmets. Oh and get fake beards in the style of our Kaiser Bill.
paint on Hitler mustaches, dance around singing "Oh Tannenbaum", exclaiming "Gesundheit!" and doing the "inspired" ceremony of the Sacred Weinerschnitzle.
Singing songs is good! 'Oh Tannenbaum' is nice, and you should know the tune, it's the Maryland anthem. The kids here sing the words a bit differently, and I suggest using these lyrics. I can provide a phonetic transcription for the group. Oh, the translation of the kids' lyrics will be: 'Oh Tannebaum, Santa Claus goes stealing apples' (it rhymes in German).
'Gesundheit' seems to be another word we gave the world. Please, do tell the group not only to use this comment when someone sneezes, but also when someone passes gas. They must be sure to know all the rudest of Grrrrman behaviour. I suggest beans for a staple diet, so the group can pull off this stunt on a regular basis of, say, ten times per hour.
The Wiener Schnitzel - hmmmmm, this is a bit of a problem - it's Austrian, Wien = Vienna.
May I suggest some different rituals? For the North, you can perhaps do the most sacred ritual of 'Gruenkohl' (green cabbage). A definite must is the even more sacreder ritual of 'Eisbein und Sauerkraut' (Eisbein = pig's foot). For visits to the South, I recommend the ritual of the sacred dumplings - I'm from the North, so I believe they were not meant for consumption by humans in the first place, but make excellent ammo in pub brawls. Another one will be the 'Weisswurst' (=White Sausage) ritual, performed in Bavaria. Again, this sausage is not really edible, but don't worry, you don't eat them, but are supposed to suck out its interior. Be sure to apply sweet mustard (yeccchhh).
And please, pretty please - the group will need a - errrm: spirit guide. I could do with a few extra EUROs. I do qualify!!! - ethnically, I'm 25% Grrrman (the rest is a mix of minorities). I promise to take the group to all the most sacred places, like Hofbrauhaus - hey, and I do need a holid--- errrm, I mean, I know the customs of the natives, will be able to translate back and forth all nosy questions and dumb remarks the group can think of. I mean, we want to make sure the natives understand all the comments cracked about 'Hey, I know your Grrrman culture better than you!' Errrm, come to think of that, if you cough up a few coins, I can fly over for special preparational classes so the group will be able to say this sentence in fluent Grrrman.
