When musing on what defines being Luxembourgish, one might think of its languages, the array of traditions like Buergbrennen or the jumping procession, or even the simple pleasure of a Hunneg Drëpp after a meal! The self-proclaimed ‘official’ Subreddit for the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg ‘r/Luxembourg’ and its users dissected the topic in a humerus, sometimes obscene, and meaningless way. It wouldn’t be reddit if there weren’t some distasteful and untrue proclamations, but here is the pick of the bunch:
Upstairs_Novel4715 kicked things off by saying “when suddenly holidays abroad are less attractive than vakanz doheem [ed. note: holiday at home] for some reason”. This particular redditor may be living in a windowless house but they do have a point when you look at the rich nature and culture that our small nation possesses.
A more festive statement by pirate0425 who claims the first step to becoming Luxembourgish is “drinking Eggnog, made in Luxembourg”. We have learnt at RTL Today to never comment on Eggnog or face the full wrath of reddit, hence I plead the fifth.
Taking a look at a classic idiom (if you can call it that) of the Luxembourgish language “if you say yes twice, you’re Luxembourgish. Jooo joooo...” proclaimed F34rthebat. If you understand the Luxembourgish language then you will likely concur with the with the fact that the phrase “jo jo” can often be seen as slightly dismissive but it is common place in Luxembourgish. Pit: “I was wondering through Bambësch and spotted a wolf”. Charel: “Jo jo”.
A Luxembourg classic is shopping at Cactus and No_Sandwich_9578 highlighted finding Cactus trolley coins in your pocket as a defining Luxembourg characteristic, which by no means is an indicator but what it might show is the depth of an individuals pockets. ScrambledEggs010 went on to add “being unable to do your shopping on your own, elderly couples do their shopping together” at the local supermarket, which in itself is very wholesome and upon reflection you do usually see an eldery man begrudgedly rolling the classic old person shopping trolley bag along while an old lady peruses.
User unorew had an abundance to say on the matter and recited a whole list of things that make (or really don’t) you Luxembourgish:
"- Having 2+ cars, and secretly adoring yourself for your contribution to climate change by having one as EV
- Reading something and couple of minutes later having absolutely no recollection on which language that was
- Getting completely drunk on national day
- Frequenting a Drink Shop and owning a crate of cremant at any given time
- Knowing Bofferding beer is local economy, and Diekirch is absolutely not.
- Having the following liking rates to countries: Germany 70%, Belgium 30%, France %2 and Luxembourg %110
- Feeling the need to climb and kiss the golden lady, when Luxembourg is mentioned in a tiktok you watched
Absolute Luxembourgishness Achieved:
- Mortgage is finished and you can blow up a whole month’s rent in Casino 2000.”
Some very dubious ones there, maybe something you can say at your upcoming ‘Sproochentest’ – food for thought...
And finally, perhaps most importantly an aspect that undoubtedly is the defining criteria of considering yourself Luxembourgish is by galaxnordist: “When the Jhemp doesn’t ask you if you want a white or red sausage at the local Grillfest.”
Want to find out how Luxembourgish you are? Then take a couple of our quizzes here:
