The lifestyle of residents of Kassel and its neighborhoods is provincially calm and settled. Everyday routine is well-thought-out. Simplicity and minimalism are the key characteristics of the design here, and this applies to both streets and inner décor of houses. Rules are an essential part of the local lifestyle. For example, neighbors discuss their rights and obligations. Local rules can be very detailed and can cover such aspects as types of trees that can be planted near buildings, parking spaces, and even how to cut a lawn. Some residential buildings prohibit the use of washing machines at night. Needless to say, local dog owners always clean up after their pets (there are even special machines with disposable bags for collecting the excrements). At the same time, it is allowed to enter shopping centers with dogs, if the dog is on a leash of course.
The absence of 24/7 shops is one of the characteristics of a provincial European town. Tourists should also not forget that shops in Kassel are closed on Sunday. Local people always buy everything they need in advance. By the way, local supermarkets mostly use paper bags rather than plastic ones. This is environment-friendly, same as sorting the garbage – everyone in the city sorts the litter they produce. Even prosperous Germans recycle plastic. Of course, they do that not because of money but in order to save the environment. If you have a different opinion, locals will simply not understand you.
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