hetalia | Renaming Countries?

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Renaming Countries?

So, I know there are quite a few people who are unsatisfied with some of the names Himaruya gave the nations, but that's pretty much besides the point. If the human names of the nations didn't exist, and you were allowed to choose whatever you wanted for their names, what would you call them?

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This is a discussion so I assume one is supposed and allowed to share their personal thoughts. It's just the name that comes to my mind when I think of Austria. I see nothing wrong with that. It's not an offensive name.

It's not an offensive name.
*facepalm*
People avoid to name their kid like that for a reason. It's pretty common knowledge in German speaking countries (and a few others, like France or Italy only to name a few) that to name your child Adolf is one of the cruelest things you can do to him, as people still strongly associate the name with Hitler. Surprising, I know. So yes, for many people, it is offensive to name their kid Adolf. It's also one of the few names where public administration is very helpful when you wish to have your name changed.
It might be different in Sweden (where many kings were named Adolf) or in other parts of Europe/the World, but Austria or Germany? Well, if we're supposed to "discuss" this, I can also tell you that I'm sure many Austrians would appreciate it were you to find other names that come to your mind first when you think of their nation.

Ehh, sorry for butting in, but...
Could you please try and not get your knickers in a knot? I know it may have been a bit tactless, but you don't have to have a full hissy fit about it. (Sorry if I seemed too rude...)

igiko believed it was not an offensive name, I told her she was wrong. And explained why. A "bit tactless" is a nice way to put it, but really, this is one thing that wouldn't have been necessary with only a bit of common sense.

Ahh, okay... But I still believe that you could have told her in a less snarky way. No one really likes being yelled at by saying their opinion.

You know, I was about to tell you how I assumed that it was pretty much common knowledge that to name Austria Adolf can be offensive to many people and that I was possibly wrong with my assumption.
Then

igiko told me that she did know that the name has plenty of potential to be offensive, so screw my initial reply. There is a huge difference between a harmless opinion and to be knowingly tactless or even offensive, so she shouldn't really complain if someone reacts on that. A bit of snark won't kill her, especially not when she knows she's tactless/offensive and just chooses to ignore the implications. And I don't think I have been calling her names or used any rude vocabulary towards her, but If I have (unknowingly), please point out the specific terms and I will stand corrected.

Igiko knew what she said could have been offensive? Opps, then I was too harsh on you. I thought she was saying a common(?) name in Austria/Germany without thinking of the consequences... Sorry about that.
And, the thing with snark thing, I tend to read things and take it to heart. Like, sombody will write something, and I will act like they actually said it in real life. Uhh, this will sound stupid, but... Usually the faceplam is like 'wtf is she thinking' and after that I just imagined you saying it will a sarcastic/annoyed voice. Sorry that I kind of over reacted.

*with* a sarcastic/annoyed voice.
Guhh, stupid spelling mistakes -.-

Don't worry, I'm not that delicate to feel snubbed by that.:) And no, Adolf is not a common name at all, quite the contrary, for aforementioned reasons as sad as it is.
No, I can understand that it's not always an enjoyable experience to be on the receiving end of biting snark, and I admit that I tend to be very sarcastic when overly annoyed. But then, I think that if someone does or says something that is clearly Not Okay, it's no use to cutify your reaction if you want to make a point how much Not Okay this is.
But yeah, I agree, it's not always easy to translate your emotions online when you don't have a voice or mimic expression to go with. And as much as I love to overuse smileys in less serious conversations, I don't really like to use them when I'm being deadly serious.:-\

Look, I don't want to start a fight. ~~Not in this fandom at least.~~ It's not my fault I associate a certain name with a certain country. Stalin's name was Joseph and the name is not considered offensive. Hungary is named Erzsébet; Erzsébet Báthory tortured and murdered many women and as far as I know people don't mind the name Elizabeth in Hungary.
If you think I did wrong stating my opinion, I'm sorry. However, if you consider my comment tasteless of provocative, you might as well say Hetalia is offensive because if makes fun of WW2.

No really, we shouldn't start a fight, this is really not worth it. Especially not with the "Hetalia makes fun of WWII" argument in tow.
I accept that you didn't know that the name Adolf has a lot of potential to be offensive if other similar "famous" names aren't. But well, now you know, so yes please, if you really must think of Austria as Adolf, at least keep it for yourself next time.

Of course I knew. I just see no difference between the crimes commited by Erzsébet Báthory, Ivan IV (with whom Russia's character shares a name) or Adolf Hitler. If other characters can share names with controversial historical figures, why not Austria? Does the fact that it's recent history really change anything? I'm not saying it'd be okay if all the characters shared names with the most controversial figures in their countries' history, but if other characters can then what's so bad about the fact I just happened to come up with a name that accidentally follows this pattern.
I don't really must think about Austria as Adolf since I don't care about this character, but I promise to avoid stating my opinion next time.

Maybe you don't see the difference between those crimes, but you know what? It doesn't change a thing that one name is offensive to a good deal of people while other names aren't. Is it fair or even logical?* No, but it is the way it is and those poor guys who are called Adolf by their loving parents in the wrong environment still have to bear with all the associations that come with the name. This is not fair either, I know. So if you know that it is offensive, why would you even come up with that? Last time I checked, there was a pretty distinct difference between a harmless opinion and being knowingly tactless.

And I really don't want to discuss the finer mechanics of WWII and to whom what is offensive and what isn't here. If you insist on pursuing this conversations, you're free to send me a PM anytime you want.

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