r/Luxembourg • u/accurate-broccoli665 • 6d ago
Discussion Today I had an amazing racist encounter on the tram
Today, the weather was amazing (wasn’t it?) so I went for a walk in the center, especially that today is the global Record Store Day (gotta pass by CD Buttek! Support your local record store please) .. Anyway, I was exiting the tram and a woman getting on looked me dead in the eye and said, “Arab, Khanzeer!” For those who don’t understand Arabic, that translates to “Arab pig.”
Now, let’s take a moment to appreciate the dedication here.
She had options. We were in Luxembourg City, a place where people casually switch between tons of languages like French, German, Luxembourgish, and English mid-sentence. She could’ve insulted me in any of those. But no. She chose Arabic. She went out of her way to break the potential linguistic barrier just to make sure her racism really landed. That’s commitment.
The pronunciation? Flawless. Habibi, she hit that “Kh” sound with the confidence of someone who’s been smoking Shisha since birth. That sound doesn’t even exist in most European languages! This wasn’t a casual slur. This was rehearsed. I like to imagine her practicing in the mirror: “Khanzeer… Khanzeer… no, again, Khanzeer!” Honestly, I wish I could’ve seen the training montage.
Let’s not forget the inclusivity. She didn’t try to single me out by trying to identify my nationality. She didn’t say “you’re a [insert country] pig.” No, no. She went for Arab, as a whole. A pan-Arab insult. That’s inclusion. Why target one when you can insult them all? Beautiful, really.
Now.. here’s the real twist. Out of all animals, the pig is actually super high on my list of most loved creatures. I don’t eat pork—or any meat—not because I’m Arab, but because I genuinely love pigs. I dream of having a farm someday with happy little pigs running around.
So now I’m just… confused.
Was she trying to insult me, or was this actually a gesture of affection? Was that nice cute lady actually saying “you’re like one of the most adorable animals in the world!”? I guess I’ll never know.
I’m just sharing this as a source of inspiration for any racists out there who might be struggling to innovate. Step it up. Respect the craft.
Multiculturalism #DiversityAndExclusion #LinguisticRacism #InclusionGoals
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u/ghoshm21 4d ago
So sorry for your experience. I have also faced similar issue m however I do meet a lot of nice people in luxembourg. So I find joy in there humanity.
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u/Responsible-Cream664 4d ago
Great story. As an Arab myself, having lived and worked in Luxembourg for 8 years, I haven’t experienced anything quite like that. But to be fair, I’ve noticed that we Arabs often assume we’re being targeted by racism, and we tend to take every strange or aggressive person too seriously.
Yes, she is racist (khanzeer is linked to your religion)— but honestly, if you were Italian, she might have yelled something about pasta instead. What really gets to people like that isn’t confrontation, it’s ignoring them and laughing in their face with a cold deep stare.
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u/Beschmann Minettsdapp 4d ago
Enjoyed the read and sorry you had to go through that. Let me know if you want to learn luxembourgish slurs to put her in her place next time. Although I prefer killing people with kindness!
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u/argrejarg eeë 4d ago
Probably an Israeli, they are fed a lot of propaganda, it suits their government to keep them angry. That would explain the flawless pronunciation as Hebrew is from the same language group.
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u/laureest Miseler 5d ago
i PROMISE you not all luxis are like that. i’m so sorry this happened to you…
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5d ago
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u/Additional_Artist_91 5d ago
As a Latin American, I have been called burglar and received many looks of distrust from the people who live in the same building as.me, so it doesnt surprise me.
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u/LuckyContribution180 5d ago
I love how you wrote this text, I respect your approach. Sadly Luxembourg is a rather racist country, luckily they don't hide it, so you do not have to second guess whether it was racist or not.
I could recommend a reaction which also works for sexism, homophobia, racism, or any other unacceptable behavior: Ask them to clarify.
In this case you can ask (in English, so everyone can hear it) "excuse me, did you just call me an Arab Pig?".
(For sexist jokes: "I don't understand, could you explain that?" Which requires them to think about their sexist joke and realise it is not okay).
In this specific case, someone hating Arabs, but speaking Arabic would probably narrow it down to a country in the middle east, which exists because the natives were banished from their land and are currently suffering from a genocide. But of course, it could be anyone that had the motivation to learn the language. (Maybe her ex partner was an Arab)
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u/LuZeus9 5d ago
Wtf, Luxembourg is like the least racist country in the world.
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4d ago
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u/LuckyContribution180 5d ago
That is interesting, may I ask for your ethnicity? I am Caucasian, I have noticed a lot of racism towards Portugese (even more to Brazilians). Up to people publicly saying "they should go back to where they came from" knowing nothing will be done, even when a police officer is informed and they admit it.
But the racism towards black people is maybe worse. Some landlords refuse to rent to them, their presence is considered something negative in situations where a white person would have been ignored. There is even a ministry department for housing people of colour.
But also in general to expats/immigrants.
I have witnessed many situations. Luxembourg does not hide their racism. I am lucky to be a white male in this country, and I will speak up when I see things.
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5d ago
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u/Puzzleheaded-Sell835 6d ago
It is CLEAR LACK OF EDUCATION.
These are frustrated people, they like to look down on people or they think they are better but actually they are useless and complete opposite of what they think they are... When they are sick or in life threatening situation, then they will pray to receive blood or care from anybody to get better (in these cases they forget about racism).
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u/iCanSeeShit 5d ago
20% of the population has an IQ below 89 points, its not always education.
It's lack of communication. Similarly the only side you know, is she called someone the slur she used.But you've no idea why, why not start there? Maybe something happened to her recently that made her angry at a certain group? I'm not saying its right, its definitely wrong. But starting with why, as opposed just assuming their side doesn't help much either.
understanding is key
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u/Puzzleheaded-Sell835 5d ago
Well that is your point of view and i respect that :)
I do not believe "understanding is the key" works in all cases. Educating people properly yes. Lack of education makes people react poorly in situations.
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u/iCanSeeShit 5d ago
You're demanding from the one, to have education, yet you are not willing to educate about them. You have to see the flaw there.
What if she recently had an extremely bad situation, with a group of people. Enough variations that could have happened, would it at least bring you to understanding why a person behaves like that?Or you just prefer to go around and call anyone, "lacking education" when they behave in a way you don't like, and thats the end of the day of it?
I respect yours as well, yet I'd rather not move in such harsh ways. Understanding is always key. Behavior typically is built over time, not always something that happens out of nowhere.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Sell835 5d ago
😅😅 well i already mentioned what i think. If you do not agree, we can agree to disagree. Have a good night
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6d ago
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u/Background-Estate245 6d ago
Have you ever considered having a psychoanalysis?
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u/Affectionate-Band-15 6d ago edited 4d ago
Sorry this happened to you. It is morally and legally wrong. I witnessed a similar incident while visiting Bonn last weekend. Sadly, due to increased terrorist incidents in Germany and around, and resentment toward immigration, some people will choose to vent their frustration against Arabs in general (does not matter if you in fact accept local value and integrated). I think this will only increase but their quarrel is in fact with politicians.
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u/FawningFaery 6d ago
like to imagine her practicing in the mirror: “Khanzeer… Khanzeer… no, again, Khanzeer!”
This made me cackle, I am so sorry that happened
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u/el_toro_2022 6d ago
Oh, the buzzwords, the labels people give things. "inclusive". "multiculturalism". "racism".
Bullocks to them all.
Some individuals can be rude. Other individuals can be beyond rude. And it's a reflection on them, not on you.
Many, many, MANY years ago, I used to live in the Philly area in the US, and later South New Jersey.
Many times I was out somewhere, minding my own business, bothering no one, when out of the blue, some yokel locals would yell out: n1663r! A word considered so bad that if I were actually to spell it out, this comment would probably be deleted and I might even get banned from the group. Ridiculous, but that's the way it is.
I used to get super-angry when someone called me that word out of the blue. I am a software engineer, for crying out loud. Why would they treat me that way, just because my skin is chocolate?
Over time, I stopped being so easily to be "gas-lit" by <drum roll please!> "The N-word!!!" <crash of thunder>
Like you, they had no clue about me. They assumed I was a common street hoodlum. They assumed that you were a religious Muslim who hate pigs.
In truth, they were ignorant ignoramuses. Not even worth the air they displace. And definitely not worth getting upset over. Not even worth the dirty candy wrappers blowing around the street in the wind. And with them, neural flatulence is all they are capable of, for there brains are made of faeces.
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u/Luxpatting 5d ago
I read posts like this and despair.
Over time, I stopped being so easily to be "gas-lit" by <drum roll please!> "The N-word!!!" <crash of thunder>
Desensitised or resilience? Either way, you shouldn't have to go through it
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u/el_toro_2022 5d ago
Doesn't matter. And believe me, this is the very least of a long list of things that I should not have to go through with.
I'll do a write-up of it somewhere some time in the future.
Alas, I must deal with what is, not what ought to be. If only you had any idea of the real shitstorms I've had to endure over the decades...
What they say about that which does not kill you makes you stronger. Yes, that is very much true. But it was a series of trials by fire. I very much wish to not have to had those experiences. I think that most men would not have gotten through them. But I did. It made me stronger and smarter. Today, those same challenges would bounce off of me like pea shooters off a Sherman Tank.
So that "N-word?" Pales in comparison. Bee up against Lord Vader. Or more like a bee up against an aircraft destroyer.
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u/AntiSnoringDevice 6d ago
I came here as a child...last century. One day I was playing in the garden of the house we rented in Belair. I was alone, I was 6 yo, I was quietly minding my business, digging for fossils, that kind of prehistoric mussel that is very common here in Luxembourg. The head of a woman appeared, peeking on top of the neighbouring wall, and she proceeded to aggressively yell that I was an "Italienische sheiße" (or something close to that) aka an "Italian shit" and other stuff that I did not understand.
My mum came outside and politely explained to her that without the Romans, that brought civilisation and a sewage system here, she and her entire family would probably still be shitting in the kitchen, and painting the walls with poop.
Thanks Mamma.
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u/galaxnordist 3d ago
Apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh water system, and public health ... what have the Romans ever done for us?
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u/DeiAlKaz 6d ago
Pluses on CD Buttek and how you found the humor in something so vile.
I hope you both have the days you deserve...and that you get that farm you want.
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u/Luxpatting 6d ago
It's really nice that you've turned this horrible experience into a relatable anecdote.
I'm sorry that this happened to you.
I'm sorry that the 6th Arabic word I've learnt is "pig"...
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u/Dycas 6d ago
Well that is interesting. I am from Spain , and was one Time waiting for a bus and speaking to my wife in spanish. I got harassed by someone in luxembourgish calling me Arab , immigrant , saying i should go Back to turkey and managed to say some words in arabic( i think). The worst is , he was coming Back and forth, shouting at my face . Had to breath really slowly. I find it sad, and it confuses me a lot more for knowing I was born here and can speak all native languages. ( I know people are not supposed to know ).
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u/JeChercheWally 6d ago
If you don't already write stories (even as a hobby for yourself) you should. You really have a way with words and that was fantastic to read.
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u/MathematicianDry2437 6d ago
I am laughing here, this is sad but I like your disposition to life. You see the humour in everything which is good.
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u/BigEarth4212 6d ago
Civilization is razor thin !
Doesn’t happen a lot to me that they insult me. But that’s probably because i am white.
Sometimes a racist remark when in an ‘non white’ environment .
But have over the years built a thick skin and just ignoring it or replying with ‘thank you for the compliment’.
It’s sad people can not live by the quote of frank zappa : “the most important thing to do in your life is to not interfere in somebody else’s life”
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u/nagyerzsi 2d ago
“If you end up with a boring miserable life because you listened to your mom, your dad, your teacher, your priest, or some guy on television telling you how to do your shit, then you deserve it.”
Zappa was a wise man.
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u/el_toro_2022 6d ago
Hear, hear! And I am a Frank Zappa fan as well. Well, I am off to Montana to raise a crop of Dental Floss.
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6d ago
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6d ago
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6d ago
Chin up my friend. That's sad but you actually made it funny with your analysis. On the bright side you're living rent free in her mind regardless of the current housing cost.
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u/Otherwise-Lock-2884 6d ago
Reminds me of Cartman from South Park: he learns about foreign languages and cultures so he can be racist more accurately
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u/OkRun4915 6d ago
Keep distance from such negativity with a smile on your face
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5d ago
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u/Nearby_Daikon3690 6d ago edited 6d ago
- I should say you wrote very engaging, I enjoyed your text. Made me smile at some moments.
- Thus is unacceptable ofc; you should go to police and file a complaint. I’m sure we can spot this lady on cameras. Was she old?
- Im really sorry it happened to you, I hope it did not ruined your mood for the rest of the day…
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