Random question but are you allowed to dip your feet in the fountains in Germany ? Or can you get arrested for doing so

[LovelyYellowLabrador]

Just in Baden Baden there’s a lovely fountain
which looks perfect to sit by

I don't know if it's illegal, but it's minging. Imagine if we all did it <puke>

It doesn't sound like the kind of thing the Germans would consider acceptable behaviour. (Rightly so, IMO.)

They may well have bleach in them, as I found out to my cost when I dipped my hand in one in France.

It's a bit gross if it's legal or not. Just don't.

Writing from Germany: I've never heard of anyone getting fined or arrested for putting their feet in a fountain. I've often seen children playing in fountains. It's certainly not like there is a cultural or legal consensus here on it being rude, but some people -esp. in southern Germany where people are typically less tolelerant- might disagree. Worst case will be getting told off.

What's the wurst that could happen?

From my experience, if people thing you are doing something that is socially unacceptable, they will tell you VERY quickly. They are not a nation that thinks tutting and hard stares will suffice.

(Personally, I think that makes life a lot easier - I enjoyed working in Germany!)

Sorry. Think. Not thing.

So sit by it. No need to shove your trotters in it.

No idea but they have great open air swimming pools in every town (Freibad) so go and find one of them.

DH is German and we go a couple of times a year.
It doesn’t sound like the kind of thing that would be acceptable and believe me you WILL be told off - they don’t go in for passive aggressive tutting over there!

@deepcyan 😂😂😂

You wouldn't get arrested but maybe told off by other people.

Germany has much more of a water culture than we do, in terms of swimming in lakes and rivers and things. It's very acceptable to jump into a lake or river. I know wild swimming exists here in the UK but it's more niche.

A fountain is a bit different though, and that particular fountain in Baden Baden (assuming you mean the famous one) is so iconic and popular.

Having said that, dipping feet is different from diving in. You could perhaps get away with a discreet foot swish. But much better to find a nice lake or something.

This. If they don't like it, then won't be slow to let you know.

Hilarious. Of course you won’t get arrested, but perhaps told off. You could always play the ‘tourist who doesn’t understand German’ card.

See if you can find a way to get down to the Oos river and wade in the river instead?

At which point they will bollock you again in perfect English

Nope, there is no law against wading in the river!

I know that, I meant if OP sticks her feet in the fountain and pretends not to understand

@deepcyan , someone had to do it

Why would you put your feet in a fountain?

I lived in Germany for a few years. I have never heard about it being illegal as such but can imagine it would probably raise a few eyebrows. Seems a bit bizarre, why would you want to put your feet in it?

It wouldn’t go down well. I was once very hungover in Berlin. I lay down on a public bench and a policeman told me to sit up.

Do come back OP and tell us how it went!

Ohhh decided not to do it just incase they thought it was rude