Hand that gal a pair of scissors

For those of us in Catholic states in Germany, a big event is upon us: Karneval, or Fasching. The closest thing I can liken it to is Mardi Gras in N’awlins because there are the requisite parades, parties, costumes, and general funloving mayhem all culminating during the period of time leading up to beginning of Lent. This year that happens to occur in February. Nowadays, no matter what its origins, Fasching is “party time” in Germany.

Several traditions of Fasching prevail including:

• Many Karneval costume parties are held in January and February this year. Lots of costumes featuring clowns, princes, princesses, and German nobility, just to name a few, can be seen.
• Many towns have Karneval clubs. Each year, a Prince and Princess Karneval are chosen from the community. As part of their “reign” they will lead the Karneval parades and take part in many community activities.
• Karneval clubs also sponsor Sitzungen, big community gatherings usually held in large halls (get a mental image of a bunch of costumer, beer drinking revelers VFW halls in the US and you’ve got the idea) where local entertainment (a.k.a. oompah bands) get the crowds going and comedians poke fun at local and national politicians.

Which brings me to a little quirky piece of trivia to share regarding another Karneval custom: the cutting of the necktie.

Explain, you say. Happily.

Men wearing neckties on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday (which was yesterday, February 15th) must beware. Weiberfastnacht, or “ Woman’s Karneval” is a day where women supposedly, and I quote, “storm offices and take over”. No where was I actually able to obtain a literal translation of exactly what that entailed. One element, however, involved arming themselves with scissors and cutting off the neckties of any men they encounter.

Supposedly, this is a throwback to the tradition known as "storming of the fools" at German city halls, dating back to the 14th century. It was a type of grass-roots, citizen's initiative organized by women who were allowed to have just one day of rule over their spouses. Today, the only remnant of the tradition to survive today is the cutting off of men's neckties. Guess we have “come a long way, baby”!

Putting a quite personal spin on this, I work in a remote office so my male colleagues were clearly safe from the Hachie Gal and her scissors. The Budman chose to avoid any desecration of men’s apparel by electing to take a “business casual” day, bypassing any nasty encounters with German women and scissors.