European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 23, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Near germans ifs your responsibility Many an american has stood in Awe on a saturday morning watching German neighbors sweep not Only the sidewalk but also the Street and the Gutter. The litter free sparkling clean environment does t happen magically nor do Public Street cleaners go through residential areas. Each individual and family takes responsibility for keeping both private and Public prop Erly clean. You will see very few Eye sores in German communities. Trash dirt and other garbage must be put in appropriate Container which Are provided by the landlord. Even these trash containers Are often kept out of sight in their own Little  bicycles baby carriages and other personal property should be stored in designated areas and not Lefi about. In Many buildings the tenants share the responsibility for keeping common areas clean. The rental agreement includes the tasks to be done by the landlord and those to be performed by the tenant. Asa tenant you May be assigned a particular area e.g., stairs or entry Way to keep clean and you la be expected to maintain it in Apfl polish fashion. You May also be responsible for Snow removal. Of Snow is not cleared from sidewalks and stairs and someone Falls you May be liable under Ger Man Law. Germans seem to have less trash than do americans one reason for this is that they get rid of Glass paper aluminium and Bulky items separately from her garbage. Look for Green containers for Ait Clai old Glass containers for m papier old paper and in some areas containers for aluminium aluminium. These Materi als Are All recyclable and German s Are conserva Tion conscious. Voltl paper is collected from the front of Homes on a regular basis. Usually notices Are put in mail boxes to inform you of the Day and time bundle newspapers and magazines and place them near the Street. On other Days charitable organizations including the German red Cross will pick up old clothing. Plastic bags Are often left a few Days before so that you can put the clothes on the Street in a recognizable water resistant con Tainer. Newcomers who have come to expect neat Ness and cleanliness Wilt think that their German neighbors have gone mad when they see Sperr Nuell for the first time. Three or four times a year Large piece of junk line the streets. On these Days people can get rid of Bulky items such As furniture appliances and toys. Urge trucks devour these items and the streets Are swept clean but not until after the piles of trash have been scoured by bargain Hunters. If you Don t receive a notice and your landlord does t Tell you about an upcoming up Rumelt you la know the night before when your neighbors put their collection of miscellaneous junk on the curb. Tidiness and cleanliness Are a Way of life in Germany. Americans usually Admire and Apprel Cale living in such pleasant conditions. It s our responsibility to do our share to keep them that Way. 1x0-u� int to tax Fimi outer please disturbance of the solemn character of Sun Days and holidays is prohibited by German Law. Work such As mowing the Lawn gardening washing a car or hanging laundry is considered to be a disturbance if you live on the Economy or near Public roads in a . Housing area you should not perform manual labor which can be observed or heard on sundays or holidays. On All other Days quiet hours which have been established by Law must be maintained. No loud or unusual noises Are permitted Between 1300 and 1500 1-3 . And Between 2200-0700 10p.m.-7 . Live music radios televisions stereos work children and pets Are the most common sources of loud and unusual noises and these should be regulated during quiet hours. This is not Only a Courtesy but also a Legal requirement. One German neighbor May ignore the noise another May ask you in a Friendly Way to be More quiet but another May Call the Ger Man police Poltel. Private lives when germans Are in their houses or apart ments they Are in their private worlds. Perhaps because so Many people live in such Small areas privacy at Home is extremely important. To americans who Are used to Welcome Wagon hospitality when moving into new neighbor hoods their new German neighbors May seem aloof and unfriendly. Germans rarely make a special visit to Welcome newcomers. Rather neighbors gel to know one another by Chance perhaps when leaving or returning from work when working in the Yard or when cleaning a common area in an apartment building. Another sign of the importance of privacy is the number of fences. Usually every House has a fenced in Yard even if the Yard is very Small and the Fence very Low. The Fence is More a Symbol of privacy Kan an actual physical device for keeping people off tie premises. In order to maintain privacy but still allow As much Light inside As possible during the e Day every window in Germany seems to be covered with sheer while curtains. In the evening when people outside can see through the sheers most germans Roll Down their movable window shut ters Rol Laden. Some germans Are offended or embarrassed when others allow them to invade their privacy. Therefore even if you re used to having your Home open to the world it May be Best to follow the custom of using sheer curtains and Rol Laden. The germans appreciation of privacy extends to their businesses As Well. Most office doors Are kept closed when you visit a business or government office Knock at closed doors before entering. Listen for someone to say herein come in and then go in. The Federal German Flag consists of three horizontal bands of equal size. The lop band is Black the Middle red and inc Boom Gold. The colors have had a Long historical tradition in Germany Ealing Back to the 13lh Century. This had been the official Flag from 1919 in 1933 and was re adopted in 1950. The Federal German Coal of arms is displayed on Trtany Public buildings. Germany and the uni id states use the same animal to symbolize our countries. The Eagle Emblem was introduced into Germany by the ancient romans and has been used Ever since. The Black Eagle on the coat of arts has a red beak and claws and appears on a Golden shield. Wykom to it tiny Page 0vi paid special insert to the stars and stripes thursday april 23,1987