The rural scenery proves that fall is supposed to be in its last leg of its journey. However the temperature begged to differ. We likely had a new record happening today: an awkward 23.2°C (74°F) on November 8th, 2015.
And the weirdness didn't stop there, we encountered a small herd of coloured sheep along the road, not sure what its purpose was. However, I liked the pink one best.
And the weirdness still went on... it was Sunday and the shops were open. GASP! Businesses in Germany are not free to decide about their business hours. Opening times are restricted to 24/6, and opening up on Sundays or holidays is VERBOTEN, due to an archaic legislation called Ladenschlussgesetz (shops closing act). There have always been certain regular exceptions such as gas stations or bakeries though.
But finally after loads of discussions with politicians, members of various churches and unions a more recent rule allows businesses nowadays to open their doors on up to 10 Sundays a year. And we, the people, like it very much (not that politicians would ever care about popular opinion).
No Sunday shopping except for 10 times per year. How do they get all of the shop owners to agree? Is that regional or local? Very odd…
ReplyDeleteRichard, the local shop owners sit together on a board an decide when to open. It can be different from town to town, from city to city or from region to region.
DeleteAl that time I spent in Germany with the US Army, never really paid it any attention, the fact that Sundays shops were closed. Or perhaps it's my onset of dementia preventing the recall of that in my mind.....now going to google the law's history to see why it came about.
ReplyDeleteDom, you probably had a 24/7 store on the base? The laws softened up about ten years ago or so. I remember that not too long ago shops used to close on Saturdays at 2pm, and did not reopen until Monday morning.
DeleteWhat a great collection of weirdness. Nice colored sheep. How many were there?
ReplyDeleteThere were five. But there were scattered over the parking lot. The pink one reminded me of Bob for some reason...
Deletea Sunday with shopping opportunities in Germany, that's quite a great event. Was there any special occasion? I really like the coloured sheep.
ReplyDeleteNo Yvonne, just one of those odd Sundays... no specific reason.
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