Do you consider yourself a patriotic person?

[Franzl]

To a certain extent.

I'm happy to live in the most developed, humane part of the world, but that's more of a continental trait and not specific to any particular nation. I'm also proud of what Germany has become, although patriotism often has the flaw of being arrogant. What have I personally done to contribute to what the nation has become? Patriotism in 99% of cases is being proud of something upon which one had no effect.

That said, of course I feel affection for country and people, and am happy and proud whenever something good happens to it. As long as it doesn't go into extreme feelings of superiority against all others, it's a perfectly healthy thing.

Although, of course, it can also go into totally absurd territory the way it's practiced in the States, where it's basically become a religion.