Although my grandparents on my mother’s side were both foreigners and had quite a few difficulties adapting at first, they still chose to learn Luxembourgish because they believed it was important to integrate and show respect for the native people of this country. They already spoke French, English, Italian, Portuguese and our native tongue which is cape verdean creole, but they still made the effort. My mother was born here.
Being born and growing up here was one of the best things ever. I never faced discrimination, or perhaps I did but was too young to notice. Either way, I have always thought Luxembourg was a beautiful place, and I’m incredibly grateful to have had such a good upbringing here.
This is why I’m quite disappointed to say that things have changed a little, and NOT because of native Luxembourgish people.
For example, the last time I was out with a friend in the city, some european guy approached us and told us in French that there were too many foreigners in this country. We responded by telling him that we were born here, speak Lëtzebuergesch and practise the local culture.
He just shrugged and asked where our parents were from. I had to explain that my mother was born here, just like my friend’s mother. He pointed at our skin and said, “Yeah, looks like they were born here.”
I then asked him in Luxembourgish whether he spoke it. He frowned and brushed the question off with, “Oh no, no, I don’t speak Luxembourgish.” When I asked him why, his response was, “It’s not important to speak it.”
We decided to leave because, at that point, there was no point in continuing the conversation anyway.
Mind you, this was the first time I had ever experienced something like this, and I’m 25 years old. It was shocking and completely unexpected. It was also quite ironic to see how his facial expression changed when we started speaking Luxembourgish to him.
I’ve noticed that this seems to happen quite a lot with people of European descent who aren’t originally from Luxembourg. Sometimes I get strange looks or hear stupid remarks. Personally, I’ve only started noticing this over the past few years, as Luxembourg has become increasingly populated.
Decades ago, when foreigners came here, many made an effort to learn the native tongue of this country to show respect for its people and culture. And, to be honest, I imagine that for some, it was also a way to avoid being judged because of the colour of their skin.
Nowadays, you can experience discrimination from people who weren’t born here and don’t speak Luxembourgish, sometimes not even French or German, yet seem to feel entitled to judge others simply because they are of European descent. How does that make sense?
I also find it a little sad when anyone who moves here has no interest in learning or speaking Luxembourgish, especially considering its beautiful history and how much effort has gone into preserving it.
I’ve never personally experienced discrimination from a native Luxembourgish person, but now I find myself facing it from other Europeans who have moved here more recently.
I’m not posting this to look for sympathy, especially because my grandparents experienced much worse difficulties in their time. I simply want to hear other people’s opinions and experiences.
ALSO NOT POSTING THIS TO START A FIGHT. JUST TALKING ABOUT RECENT EXPERIENCES. It is only a small percentage of rude people.
My boyfriend is fully Luxembourgish. When I told him about what happened in the city, I asked him what he thought about it. His opinion was that any European (or foreigner) who lives here but doesn’t care about speaking Luxembourgish shouldn’t be here, and that he doesn’t consider such people his “Luxembourgish brothers”, even if they were born here.
Personally, I thought his opinion was a little too extreme, which is why I wanted to ask people here.
Have any of you noticed something similar happening more often, or am I overthinking things?
Thank you for reading! ❤️🤍🩵
(Can't respond to comments unfortunately because the automated mod doesn't let me. Already contacted the moderators)
(+ If you choose to call my story "unlikely" or do not believe me, I think you're either not a POC OR I REPEAT: *NEVER experienced rude weirdos in your life and are very lucky\ ( yes also as a non-poc !)* 🥲 it only started recently. Thought I'd share and read other opinions)
(+not blaming anyone, just telling you what I noticed in the past few years and what I went through. Every experience is different and so happens to be mine. Just because your experience was different, it doesn't take away what i've been seeing. I don't think i would take a man, who discriminated me, out for café or buy him some daisies though🤔. So yes i don't wish to even be around nasty people like that, hope you understand. Thanks for all the responses and suggestion guys. Thank you for sharing your stories. Reading all of them xx)
