Everyone in Saarland knows everyone else. The much-quoted saying that when two Saarlanders meet they immediately discover they have a common acquaintance is actually true.

This has to do with the state’s manageable size. It also creates a strong sense of community, while at the same time making it initially difficult for non-Saarlanders to become integrated. But once they have made friends with a few Saarlanders, things happen much more quickly. The Saarlanders are open-minded and cordial.