SIESTAS AND SUNDAYS

Ruhezeit or "Quiet Time" is almost sacred in Germany. This age-old tradition takes place between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday and all day Sunday.

Beware of blasting your stereo, drilling, hammering, mowing the lawn or throwing a party during those times. You will be sure to draw a complaint if not the police, whom Germans are quick to call because of noise. Inform your neighbours of (or better still invite them to) a party before hand; they appreciate it.

During the afternoon "quiet time," older Germans usually take a nap. As a result, they can be quite cranky about any noises or activities that interrupt their siesta. In small towns in Germany placing a phone call to someone's home between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. is not considered good manners.

Except for department stores (Kaufhaus), shops often shut for an hour just after midday. They are closed on Sundays and usually also on Saturdays after 12 or 1pm.

As if to compensate for the prickliness surrounding "quiet time," Germans certainly make up for it with Kaffee und Kuchen. 4 p.m. during the work week and weekends is known as "Coffee and Cake" time. This also takes place at most companies. With an excellent and overwhelming variety of baked goods, coffees and cakes, Kaffee und Kuchen is one of the nicest aspects of a stay in Germany. Taking advantage of this custom by inviting someone over for coffee and cake is also long-standing method of getting to know colleagues or neighbors.