Videos Beyond Hollywood Hungerlust Pioneers of love. Stephanie Benoit. There are no famous Belgians. The cuisine is limited to chocolate, french fries and waffles. The Belgian political system is a mess. The Flemish and the Walloons hate each other. Belgians are stupid. Belgium is boring. Belgium is small, flat and rainy.
Belgians only drink beer. Or no, wait, the Netherlands! Or was it France? The only art to come out of Belgium is comic strips. Belgium is inconsequential in terms Of world politics. Brussels has no famous monuments. Give us feedback. Read Next View. A Look at Belgian Humor. Home Sweet Home Ardennais. Extended families live in separate homes, but often settle in or near the town where they were raised.
Meeting and Greeting Shake hands with everyone present -- men, women, and children -- at business and social meetings. Shake hands again when leaving. Repeat your name when being introduced.
Language Dutch, French and German are all widely spoken in Belgium. Speak English if in doubt. There is no place in Europe where you can get in greater trouble by using the incorrect language than in Belgium. The language of choice for negotiators in Brussels is English. French is also frequently used.
Body Language It is considered impolite to snap your fingers. Do not put your hands in your pockets, yawn, scratch or use toothpicks in public. Feet should never be put on chairs or tables. Back slapping is considered offensive. The "okay" sign means zero. Corporate Culture Belgians take punctuality for business meetings very seriously. Call with an explanation if you are delayed. Present your business card upon meeting. Business cards in English are acceptable. Belgians tend to socialize for a short period of time before they get down to business at meetings.
Initial meetings are generally for getting acquainted and developing trust. Business meetings are formal. Personal relationships follow business relationships. I personally struggled with this when I first came to live in this country, especially since I come from a land where I could just phone a friend and make impromptu plans for dinner that same day!
Even with most service providers, things happen with appointment think of getting a haircut or a manicure and there is rarely any sense of urgency like when getting any medical diagnostic testing — X-Rays, MRIs, blood work, etc.
The key to overcoming this situation is to be patient. By all means, take initiative and attempt hangouts with Belgians. They are probably really stuck on reason number 2. However, Belgians sometimes take it to an extreme that many internationals find remarkable.
Belgians pose an interesting contrast between a very progressive society, for example, Belgium was second country in the world to legalize gay marriage versus a populace that craves stability. Are you planning things far enough in advance to include your schedule-loving Belgian friends? Showing genuine interest in the life of your prospective Belgian friend in an appropriate, non-stalker way, of course can get her to open up and put you in a place within her inner circle! Now, you may not realize this because of reason number 3.
The first few years I lived in Belgium I was very, very confused by my social interactions with Belgians. They generally seem soft-spoken, with the occasional rant here and there usually complaining about something.
Overall, no matter if dealing with someone from Brussels, Wallonia, or Flanders, Belgians appeared to me rather disaffected and generally cold and distant. Soft-spoken, cold and distant, disaffected, and yet with enough passion for the occasional rant. Sounds contradictory? Working with Belgians can be puzzling.
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