The blue law in Germany, known as the Ladenschlussgesetz (Shop Closing Law), mandates that most retail stores must remain closed on Sundays and public holidays to ensure a mandatory day of rest and protect workers. Primarily rooted in Christian tradition, this law restricts shopping, with exceptions for pharmacies, petrol stations, and stores in train stations or airports.
German supermarkets, as well as clothes shops, bookshops and pharmacies, are all closed on Sundays. Sunday is a “quiet day” in Germany, and a law adopted in 1950 prohibits shops from opening so people can enjoy recreational activities and time with family and friends.
The purchase and consumption of beer, sparkling wine, wine and ready-mixed drinks made with beer or wine is permitted from the age of 16 in Germany. Spirits and other alcohol can be purchased and consumed from the age of 18. Alcohol is available in supermarkets, petrol stations and kiosks.
Several laws regulate the retail sale of tobacco products in Germany. Age limits: Under the Protection of Young Persons Act, it is unlawful to sell or supply tobacco products to anyone under 18. It is also illegal to allow minors to smoke in public places.
Sunday Law Experience in GERMANY (What it is like?)
Why is alcohol so cheap in Germany?
Germany imposes relatively low taxes on alcoholic beverages. For example, the excise duty on beer and spirits is much lower than in many other European countries. Retail competition also plays a role. Supermarkets and discount chains like Aldi and Lidl offer a wide range of alcoholic drinks at competitive prices.
It is common for couples of the same or dif- ferent sex to show affection in public. This includes holding hands and sometimes kissing or cuddling in public. This is accep- ted and acceptable behavior.
The 1-2-3 drinking rule is a moderation guideline: no more than 1 drink per hour, 2 drinks per occasion, and 3 alcohol-free days per week, helping to pace consumption and reduce risk, though it's important to know that no level of alcohol is completely risk-free, and other guidelines (like the 0-1-2-3 rule or official dietary recommendations) also exist. A "standard drink" is key: 12 oz regular beer, 5 oz wine, or 1.5 oz spirits, and it's crucial to avoid mixing alcohol with medications or while driving.
The three unwritten rules that define German work culture are punctuality and detailed planning, maintaining clear boundaries between professional and personal life, and using direct communication in all workplace interactions.
This phenomenon is known as “Ruhezeit.” It basically means that on Sundays (and weeknights after 10 PM), making noise is actually legally forbidden. So, if you think about running the washing machine, mowing your lawn, or vacuuming your house on a Sunday, you might want to think twice.
According to this rule, if an individual spends more than 183 days in a calendar year in Germany, they may be considered a tax resident and subject to German taxation on their worldwide income. Period Calculation: The 183 days can be cumulative and do not need to be consecutive.
Don't worry, of course, you can still do your everyday routines during quiet hours in Germany. You can flush the toilet, take a bath or shower at night as usual.
Traditionally speaking, Germany was a heavily religious country and in order to make sure people could attend church, the government deemphasised working on Sundays so people had time to go to church and later on spend time with family.
It is a combination of labor (higher hourly rates outside of regular business hours) and other laws (in some areas shops may only open for a certain number of hours per week).
In general you can expect that most shops will close at 2pm, although some may shut a little earlier. For wholesalers such as Metro, the closing time is usually at noon on December 24th. READ ALSO: What's open and what's closed in Germany over Christmas this year?
Myth 3: Drinking hard liquor is worse than drinking beer or wine. Contrary to popular belief, the type of alcohol you drink doesn't make a difference – what matters is how much you drink. "The safe limit is fixed at 14 units a week," explains Dr Lui. "Below this limit, alcoholic fatty liver is less likely to occur.
What is considered disrespectful in German culture?
In Germany, rudeness often involves a lack of punctuality, being loud in public (especially on transport), ignoring rules (like red lights), disrespecting privacy (e.g., closed doors), and showing a disregard for cleanliness or order, with emphasis placed on directness, respect for elders, and proper address (using titles/formal "Sie" for strangers). Common taboos include haggling in supermarkets, leaving trash (especially Pfand bottles), interrupting, and overly familiar gestures like the "thumbs up" or "okay" sign.
The 90/10 kissing rule, popularized by the movie Hitch, suggests that when initiating a kiss, a person should lean in 90% of the way and pause, waiting for their partner to close the remaining 10%, signaling their willingness to kiss and avoiding forcing the interaction. It's a technique for gauging consent, where the partner fiddling with their keys might signal yes, while putting keys in the door signals no, making the kiss a mutual, rather than rushed, moment.
Public displays of affection are discouraged in Dubai, even between married couples. Handholding or innocent affection is fine but keep the passionate kisses and heavy petting behind closed doors when you are here to avoid trouble.
Alcohol. A total of 70.5% of respondents (36.1 million individuals) reported having consumed alcohol in the preceding 30 days (table 3). Of these, 33.3% reported at least one episode of heavy drinking—with a higher prevalence seen among men (41.9%) compared to women (23.3%).
Are German restaurants obliged to offer free tap water? Put simply, no. Bars, cafes and restaurants in Germany are advised to serve customers free tap water, but aren't obliged to do so. This is in accordance with the European Union's Drinking Water Regulation of 2021.
The legendary figure known for drinking around 106 beers in one night is the professional wrestler Andre the Giant, a feat recounted by fellow wrestler Ric Flair from a night in Charlotte, NC, around 1975, though some stories place it at a Pennsylvania pub with slightly different counts, highlighting Andre's immense capacity and serving as a famous anecdote about his drinking prowess.
