In what’s being called a miraculous transformation, an immigrant in Luxembourg has turned into an expat after going out for brunch.
On Sunday around midday, Hakim Salib, 29, joined two companions for a meal at a trendy restaurant in Luxembourg City center.
Commenting on the cool, funky decor and pleasant ambiance, Salib ordered several items from the brunch menu, and that’s when the metamorphosis occurred.
Salib, who arrived in Luxembourg only seven weeks ago, says he does not understand what difference it makes or why what he calls a “silly taxonomic distinction” is being celebrated.
“I moved here for a post as a researcher,” he said. “I don’t care what you call me. It doesn’t matter.”
However, other members of the expat community disagree about how Hassan sees himself, and they have warmingly welcomed Hassan into the expat circle.
“Congratulations on your newfound expatness,” said Tina Molbruck, a proud expat and spokesperson for the entire expat community. She and other expats showed up unannounced at Salib’s lab on Monday afternoon with a cake to celebrate his transfiguration.
“No, no, no,” Salib said.
“Yes, yes, yes,” Molbruck responded. “It’s no longer for you to decide, anyway. It’s up to the community to determine if you are an immigrant or an expat.”
Molbruck’s assertion was deemed correct on Wednesday after she and Salib were brought before an expat tribunal, overseen by judge Nigel Barker, himself an expat who moved to Luxembourg 22 years ago and is considered by many as an expert on expathood.
In delivering the verdict, Barker reminded Salib that whether he likes it or not, he is now an expat, and there’s nothing he can do to change that.
“Mr. Salib, you willingly went with friends to a cute little place on a Sunday morning to consume an overpriced meal which you knew was called ‘brunch,’” Barker said. “You ordered avocado toast, a poached egg, and some adorable pastries like mini croissants and tiny pains au chocolat.”
“You are one of us.”
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Originally published by RTL Today
