What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Luxembourg City?

We asked people in Luxembourg City if they could share any humorous cultural blunders they commited. For new expats, keep in mind that these incidents are an inevitable part of expat life. Learning to laugh about them is the key!...

"In Luxembourg City it is polite to take off your hat, sunglasses and coat when inside a home. As with all places it is a good idea to be aware of body language and to not be overly loud and disruptive. Another important consideration is that Luxembourgish is the main language spoken and without a knowledge of it, English will be the default, although it is courteous to at least attempt to learn some phrases in the language. Also it is important to be aware that while there are many different sects of Christianity present, the main religion is Catholicism so respect should be paid to churches and other places of worship. Finally, it is considered impolite to talk about money, finances and salary in public," said another expat in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.

"I think the most humorous blunders for the whole family have been because of translation and mispronunciations issues. With 4 languages it can get quite confusing. We've had a few conversations where we thought we were talking about air and hair and the function of our radiator when it turned out to really be horses but the English mispronunciation back to us was "whores". Between the 4 languages, air, hair, horse and whores can all sound very similar and when ever so slightly used incorrectly can erupt a room into laughter. We can hardly talk about hair and horses anymore without busting up with laughter every time. On a recent visit to Germany I wanted to practice a couple phrases I learned, to order our favorite lunch. I got to the counter and successfully made the order but at the end one of my kids changed their minds but I hadn't practiced the new choice. I must have looked so lost because the lady spoke up, in English, and asked if she had heard my child correctly and this would be the final order. I was shocked, assuming she didn't know English and confirmed the order. When I asked about her English she said, "oh yes I speak a lot of English but I thought you wanted to practice your German so I just let you"!! *blush*," wrote a member who made the move to Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.

The TEFL Institute of Ireland
Learn More

The TEFL Institute of Ireland operates under European standards of education, which are renowned and respected worldwide. Once you complete the course, you will receive a globally recognised certificate, which is a passport to teaching English worldwide and online. Teach English Online In Less Than 3 Weeks - Ditch the 9-5 job and start living life on your terms by teaching English online. Whether you want to travel the world or crave the flexibility of working from home, teaching online gives you the freedom you need.

The TEFL Institute of Ireland

What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Luxembourg City?

If you live in Luxembourg City, newcomers to Luxembourg City would love to hear your answer to this question.