^{Originally published under the title “Wir lieben die Türkei! Erdoğan ist der beste!”}

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government has set a marvelous precedent in showing the entire world how a country should best care about the safety of its citizens traveling to, well, “different” foreign lands. In a very smart move, the German Foreign Ministry added a new piece of travel advice to the “tips page” on how German tourists should behave while on a visit to Turkey: “It is strongly advised not to make public political statements against the Turkish state and not to express sympathy for terrorist organizations.”

Ironically, the advice came more or less on the same day a German reporter was deported from Turkey on the grounds that he was previously banned from entering the country. The German government should perhaps upgrade its travel tips on Turkey: “Do not make public political statements against the Turkish state. If you are a journalist, do not go to Turkey.”

Although the German Foreign Ministry’s new advice was a smart move, it may fall short of preventing future diplomatic crises between Ankara and Berlin. It would do no harm if further pieces of advice were added to the tips page: “Do not drink alcohol like infidels while on a visit to Muslim Turkey. It would be better for your own security if you fasted or at least pretend to fast during Ramadan. You will have more fun and a better time while sunbathing on the Turkish Mediterranean coast if your wives wear the Islamic headscarf, remain in their hotel rooms and avoid swimming in public. T-shirts with script in praise of Hitler will further safeguard your well-being and may even build memorable friendships between yourself and the locals.”

More here.