BUSINESS HOURS and other Luxembourg Local Custom Tips

OK. This is complicated. Trading hours are 9am-5:30pm on weekdays. That�s except for some shops that don�t open until noon on Monday. Then there are loads of shops that close for a cosy 2 hour lunch between 12pm-2pm just when you need them. I told you it�s complicated. Now we have Saturdays. Shops can either be open all day or just a half day depending on the owner�s preferences. It�s a little known law that anything you absolutely must have will be closed when you need it. Sundays? Forget it. A few Tabacs and some restaurants only. Bank? Of course they close early. 8:30am-4:40pm Monday-Friday with closures at lunch. The only banks open on Saturdays (mornings) are in the capital.

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Local Customs: ELECTRICITY - DON'T BLOW UP YOUR LAPTOP !

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Written by DAO

on Sep 2, 2008

Luxembourg operates on 220 volts of electricity (alternating at 50 cycles per second) as opposed to North America which uses 110 volts. What does this mean? For a start an electrical shock here can kill you where 110 volts won�t. Have a think about that before you plug something in. The electrical plugs are a standard round 2 pin European plug. If you bring over a $1000-3000 laptop, read carefully.

You really need a TRANSFORMER not a CONVERTER.

Why?

Converters are light weight and support high-wattage electrical appliances like hair dryers and are rated at between 50-1600 Watts. They are designed to be used for short periods of time (iron a shirt or dry your hair), not left on for hours. That�s why they are lightweight � low usage times.

Transformers have a lower Watt rating of 50 to 100. They are physically heavier. This is because they contain iron rods and a large amount of copper wiring. Heavy duty for longer jobs. These are best suited for the expensive and sensitive things like laptops, battery chargers, and other things more expensive than a cheap hair dryer.

Combination converters with both �modes� are ideal for lots of business travel between Voltages. Expensive, but worth it. Besides. If you fry the companies laptop who will be in trouble?

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Website: http://www.kropla.com/!c.htm

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Local Customs: NATIONAL HOLIDAYS

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Written by DAO

on Sep 2, 2008

NEW YEARS DAY � 1 JANUARY
EASTER MONDAY � MARCH OR APRIL
ASCENSION DAY � 40 DAYS AFTER EASTER (keep count!)
WHIT MONDAY � 7 MONDAYS AFTER EASTER
NATIONAL DAY � 23 JUNE
ASSUMPTION � 15 AUGUST
ALL SAINT�S DAY � 1 NOVEMBER
CHRISTMAS � 25 DECEMBER

(Photos are just nice - not informative)

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Local Customs: WHICH LANGUAGE?

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Written by DAO

on Sep 2, 2008

Luxembourg has 3 official languages: French, German and the local Letzebuergesch. The local language is closer to German and was only made an official language in 1984. A good greeting is �moien� which means good morning or hello like bonjour. French is definitely the predominant language and children are taught all 3 languages at school as befitting this crossroads of Europe. Many folks speak English in the capital as well. You will also hear Italian and Portuguese spoken by these large groups of immigrants. Tourists are usually addressed in French at first.

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Local Customs: SUPER TOILETS

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Written by DAO

on Sep 3, 2008

Quite a few toilets in upscale restaurants and hotels in the capital have these bizarre super toilets. It automatically detect when you have either come off the toilet or a gentleman standing upright has walked away. It then rotates the actual seat around in a circle cleaning and drying it at the same time. You always sit on a clean toilet seat. Environmentalists will probably go crazy thinking about all the waste of electricity and water, but its always nice to sit on a clean seat.

Located in the lobby of Hotel Grand Cravat, Pizzeria Bacchus and other better establishments.

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Local Customs: THE FLAG OF LUXEMBOURG

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Written by DAO

on Sep 19, 2008