Germany closed on Sundays?
 

While living in Germany a few years ago, we noted that the only things open on Sunday were restaurants. Apparently, they view it as a day of rest.
It was also a "no-no" to make any noise or do any work on Sunday (mow the lawn, etc).

Are most other European countries alike in this way??? Are most stores closed on Sundays? What do the locals do with themselves....stay inside and drink beer?? :)

That's how Germany was years ago.

Mostly they got into their car on a Sunday and went out driving for a couple of hours, had a meal or coffee and cakes somewhere and then came back home. And that was where the car stayed until the following Sunday.

You are right about the no-noise bit. You could be prosecuted for operating machinery or making unnecessary noise on a Sunday.

Things might have loosened up a bit these days, as I don't know any other country that had these restrictions.

Harzer

What do locals do on Sundays? Well, locals make a 3-4 course meal of the ingredients they have bought on Saturday. And then they eat it. With family/friends. Then they rest and wait for the food to melt. Then they take a long walk in a park or forest. Or they go canoeing/skiing/biking/whatever one fancies. Or they go to movies/theatre. Or read a book or play games or watch TV. That sort of things. Or they go to eat in those restaurants that are open.

ttt

what about other Continental European countries???

yes, in most parts of Germany it's still like that, even though there have been several attempts to change the law concerning the opening hours of stores. In the northern part along the Baltic Coast there has been a change. The stores in the seaside resorts are allowed to open on Sundays from Dec 15th till November 1st.