In Germany, the hours between 12:30 and 2pm are a time of rest and quiet. Most small businesses close during these hours; young German students often go home for lunch. And mowing is not acceptable.
I was up the hill mowing at Sonne, one of the two dorms in Marzell. Around 12:45, I was finishing up a patch of overgrown grass in the front yard, when an elderly lady approached me bearing a sticky note and a friendly smile. I turned off the mower to hear what she had to say. She informed me, with written backup (aka sticky note), that quiet hours in Marzell are from 12:30-2:00pm. People shouldn’t be mowing on the main street while older folks might be wanting peace and quiet in the middle of the day. After she explained quiet hours thoroughly at least twice, she asked if I understood. I affirmed. Then she said I probably should just finish up that patch (it was an eyesore that hadn’t been mowed all summer). I agreed, and asked if it would be ok to mow in the back afterwards. She said it probably wouldn’t be a problem since it’s so far from the main street and behind the building.
Then she ambled back to wherever she came from, and I finished mowing.
