You’ve just met a family that has moved here from your home country. Best of all, they’re your type of people: easygoing, lively, and always up for trying new things. Here are five ways you can introduce the local culture to them.
Luxembourgish cuisine
Admittedly, you personally have never tried traditional Luxembourgish dishes such as Bouneschlupp and Judd mat Gaardebounen, but what better opportunity than now? Plenty of restaurants offer these specialities. Arrange a time with your new friends and book a table.
(It’s been three days since you sent a WhatsApp message about going out to eat, but you haven’t got a response. Hmm.)
Fun holiday activities
Luxembourg puts on a host of holiday events that are unique and fun. The Buergbrennen – the literal burning away of winter – the carnival parade in Diekirch, fireworks in Luxembourg City on National Day, and many more. Why not bring your friends to one of these?
(Yesterday they posted a photo of themselves, and they’re not in Luxembourg unless we’ve now got palm trees and have given birth to a beach.)
Drinks
For many people, enjoying Luxembourg’s many respectable alcoholic beverages is a national pastime. You can enjoy pinot noir and crémant from the Moselle, beer from everywhere else, and many locally distilled spirits. For those who abstain, non-alcoholic beverages are increasingly…
(Maybe they’re on holiday? That would be strange because they’ve got two children, and all the schools are back in session.)
Clubs and activities
You lived here for years before learning how much easier it is to meet locals if you join sports and leisure clubs. Consider all the friends you made in the hiking association. And what about when your kids joined the judo club? That’s a large, ready-made community right there.
(No, it says on LinkedIn that the mother has got a new job back in your home country. And the father? His status is “looking for work,” also in your home country. Well, then.)
Volunteering
There’s no better way to observe firsthand the welcoming, generous nature of many Luxembourgers than by volunteering alongside them. The country has dozens if not hundreds of volunteer organizations, from those that aim to help people on the streets, to others that provide assistance…
(Fine, they’re gone. They’ve really moved back and didn’t even tell you. They were only here for what, a year? Disappointing, but it’s water under the bridge. Anyway, you’ve just happened to meet another cool, nice family from your home country who are new here. Why not use the ideas above the local culture to them? Surely they’ll stick around … and, they’re gone as well.)
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Originally published by RTL Today
