On our most recent trip to Franconia (Northern Bavaria), I noticed again the pub patrons’  wide age range. Toddlers running around while the old-timers sit at their Stammtisch (regular table). Waitresses have to navigate through toys on the floor, toddlers under chairs and grumpy old guys calling out for more beer.

Kids are part of pub life in some parts of Germany

Germans are hesitant to take young children to the movies as watching a movie should be undisturbed. Most kids are also not well received in regular restaurants, but at pubs in Franconia they often seem welcome.

In villages, the local Pfarrheim (parsonage) can be rented for special events, such as birthdays and other celebrations. One of my acquaintances from the village rented the parsonage for one night in December and also invited the parish priest as his pastorate is right next door and he would not be able to find any sleep during the night of the party anyway.

This is the same parsonage where the local youth had small dances in the 70s. Back then we could by a bottle of beer for 50 cents and a bottle of coke for 1 euro.

There were about 150 guests at the party including many children. A striptease dancer was hired as a surprise present for the birthday boy and the way I understood it, she did her performance in front of everybody, children and parish priest included.

I just imagine this happening elsewhere, e.g. in the U.S.A. To have a party in a public place, in this case a personage, where children are exposed to indecency, alcohol, and late hours. One of my friends’ children, a 12-year-old boy, left the party with his parents at 3 a.m.

Well, this definitely would be a case for the Sittenpolizei (vice squad) in some places around the world. But not in Franconia, where people tick differently.