GENERAL
Official name of the state
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Capital
Luxembourg-Ville.
Geography
According to a2zgov, Luxembourg borders Belgium to the north and west, France to the south and Germany to the east. A third of the country consists of the mountains and forests of the Ardennes, the rest is agricultural land. In the southeast lies the fertile wine valley of the Moselle and in the north the German-Luxembourg Nature Park.
Government
Parliamentary Grand Duchy since 1866 in the form of a constitutional monarchy. Constitution of 1868, last amendment 1956. Parliament with 60 members; Legislative period: 5 years. Advisory State Council with 21 members. Luxembourg is an EU member and the administrative seat of the EU.
Head of state
Grand Duke Henri of Nassau, since 2000.
Head of government
Xavier Bettel, since October 2013.
Electricity
230 V, 50 Hz. Adapters are not required.
Time zone
Central European Time: CET +2 (CET +3 from March 26 to October 29, 2017)
LANGUAGE
Overview
There have been three official working languages since 1984: French, German and Luxembourgish (Lëtzebuergesch). The legal language is French, the business languages are German and French. The Luxembourg name appears under the French name on place-name signs. English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas.
Lëtzebuergesch is a Northwest Moselle Franconian dialect that differs from North German about as much as Schwizerdütsch. The language is mainly spoken among Luxembourgers and is rarely used as a written language. German or French are also mostly used in the media; only a few television and radio programs are in Lëtzebuergesch.
Native Luxembourgers grow up speaking in three languages. However, many Belgians and French who only understand French work in Luxembourg City.
Idioms
Since French is understood by all Luxembourgers, here are some helpful words and phrases in French:
- Goodbye = Au revoir
- Eight = Huit
- Eighty = Quatre-vingt
- Exit = sort
- Beer = beer
- Please = S’il vous plaît
- Thank you = Merci
- Tuesday = Mardi
- Doctor = Médecin
- Thursday = Jeudi
- Three = Trois
- Thirty = Trente
- Entrance = Entrée
- One hundred = cents
- One = Un (Une)
- One thousand = mille
- Friday = Vendredi
- Five = Cinq
- Fifty = Cinquante
- Danger = Danger
- Closed = fermé
- Hello = Bonjour
- Today = Aujourd’hui
- Hotel = hotel
- I feel sick = Je ne me sens pas bien
- I don’t understand = Je ne comprends pas
- Yes = Oui
- My name is?? = Je m’appelle??
- I’m fine. = Ça va bien
- Wednesday = Mercredi
- Monday = Lundi
- Tomorrow = Demain
- No = non
- Nine = new
- Ninety = Quatre-vingt dix
- Open = crotchless
- Restaurant = restaurant
- Saturday = Samedi
- Six = Six
- Sixty = Soixante
- Seven = Sept
- Seventy = Soixante-dix
- Sunday = Dimanche
- Menu = menu
- Do you speak German / English? = Est-ce que vous parlez allemand / anglais?
- Toilets = toilets
- Four = Quatre
- Forty = quarters
- Wine = Vin
- How are you? = Comment ça va?
- How much is it? = Combien est-ce que ça coûte?
- Where is??? = Où est???
- Ten = Dix
- Twenty = Vingt
- Two = deux
CULTURE
Religion
87% Roman Catholic; 13% Protestant, Jewish and Muslim minorities.
Social rules of conduct
General: Luxembourgers are considered balanced, open and modern people, arrogance is alien to them. Those who are friendly and humble will soon be able to develop a warm relationship with the Luxembourgers.
Racism is virtually unknown in this country, where people from over 120 nationalities live and work. It should be noted, however, that the Luxembourg civilian population suffered greatly from the German occupation forces during World War II and this is still a sensitive issue today. Comments about the small size of the country, on the other hand, are also taken with humor by the Luxembourgers.
Manners: The usual forms of courtesy should be observed. You shake hands to greet you, three kisses alternately on the cheeks are common among friends. You greet each other all day long with Moien. The correct salutation is Här (Mr.), Madame / Fra (woman) or Joffer (Miss). Hosts are given a small present or a bouquet of flowers, and the children are also happy about a little something. The table manners roughly correspond to French customs. You start eating after all guests have been served. In addition to a cake fork, a knife is always served with a piece of cake or tart; its use is not absolutely necessary. Many Luxembourgers travel with their families in July and August, as well as during Easter.
Clothing: Luxembourgers attach great importance to their appearance. Well-groomed casual clothing is acceptable in most cases. In some restaurants, clubs and on special social occasions, people wear more elegant clothes in muted colors with subtle accessories.
Smoking: It is forbidden to smoke at the airport, in train stations, in public transport, in restaurants, cafes, bars, discos, cinemas, theaters, in schools and in other state and municipal buildings. There is a smoking ban in all public places. Some hotels, cafes, discos and restaurants offer smoking rooms.
Tipping: In hotels and restaurants, a tip of 10% is customary, although tip is already included in the bill. Taxi drivers are usually given a 15% tip.
