Posted on 07/17/2008 11:11:43 AM PDT by Diocletian
ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — The Croatian parliament has passed a law forcing shops to close on Sundays in a concession to the Roman Catholic church. The church has campaigned for years for Sundays to be devoted to family or Mass in Croatia, which is almost 90 percent Roman Catholic. But Croatians have begun spending weekends in shopping malls that have flourished across the country in the past few years and remain open seven days a week. The law adopted Tuesday and goes into effect Jan. 1. It allows Sunday shopping over the summer and Christmas holidays. The law also allows stores in gas, bus and train stations to open on Sundays year-round, along with those in hospitals. Bakeries, newsstands and flower shops are also exempt from the ban.
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Blue Laws were in force here in CA when I was young ... no shopping on Sunday. Thank heavens those are gone!!!
ping
More European nanny-state nonsense....
I grew up in Long Island NY and remember when most stores were closed on sunday we used to have more fun with the family on outings and beach. Ah the good ole days.going swimming or outings together rather than being dragged around some shopping mall ugh.
Is there a similar precedent in any other predominantly Catholic east European country (i.e. Poland Hungary)?
Those laws became untenable when more women started working, rather than staying home.
Housewives can shop any day of the week, but laws like this are brutal on two-income families. They turn Saturdays into a frenzy of shopping.
These laws are an outdated anachronism. If some people want to stay at home on Sunday or go to Mass, more power to them. But they shouldn't pass such laws as an expression of their religion.
Most stores are closed on Sundays in Germany as well, but many of the villages once a month or so will hold a outdoor booth shopping market on sundays in the town square area. You can buy fruits and veggies, clothing items, toys, etc....
I loved Germany but from learning how massively regulated doing business in that country is or the months of stupid moronic wallet gouging steps you have to do to get something as simple as a drivers license, it doesn’t surprise me how much business has slowly been migrated to other countries and their is a huge lack of entrepreneurship there. Its no wonder people do anything possible to not enter the workforce till they are hitting their 30’s or later. Their anti-competition laws and zoning restrictions only create lazy monopolies.
Most stores are closed on Sundays in Germany as well, but many of the villages once a month or so will hold a outdoor booth shopping market on sundays in the town square area. You can buy fruits and veggies, clothing items, toys, etc....
I loved Germany but from learning how massively regulated doing business in that country is or the months of stupid moronic wallet gouging steps you have to do to get something as simple as a drivers license, it doesn’t surprise me how much business has slowly been migrated to other countries and their is a huge lack of entrepreneurship there. Its no wonder people do anything possible to not enter the workforce till they are hitting their 30’s or later. Their anti-competition laws and zoning restrictions only create lazy monopolies.
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