Belgian Society & Culture
Belgium is not a homogeneous country with one national identity. As such, it is therefore difficult to give a general overview that applies to all Belgians. Each area will have its own particularities. The three predominant cultures are: 1) in north, Flanders - primarily Dutch, 2)in the south, Wallonia - primarily French and 3) the northeast - primarily German influenced. The following are brief aspects that are applicable to all areas.
Belgium is not a homogeneous country with one national identity. As such, it is therefore difficult to give a general overview that applies to all Belgians. Each area will have its own particularities. The three predominant cultures are: 1) in north, Flanders - primarily Dutch, 2)in the south, Wallonia - primarily French and 3) the northeast - primarily German influenced. The following are brief aspects that are applicable to all areas.
Belgian Family Values
. Family plays a central role in most Belgians' lives.
. The obligation to the family is a person's first priority.
. Many people remain in the town in which they were raised, which creates close extended families.
. The obligation to the family is a person's first priority.
. Many people remain in the town in which they were raised, which creates close extended families.
Appearances Matter
. Appearances are important to Belgians.
. They can often be seen washing the pavement or steps in front of their house or even sweeping the street.
. Cleanliness is a matter of national pride.
. Belgians take great pride in their houses. To have overgrown hedges or untidy gardens would disgrace the family and insult their neighbours.
. Belgians take pride in their personal appearance too. They dress well and are concerned with the impression they make on others.
. They can often be seen washing the pavement or steps in front of their house or even sweeping the street.
. Cleanliness is a matter of national pride.
. Belgians take great pride in their houses. To have overgrown hedges or untidy gardens would disgrace the family and insult their neighbours.
. Belgians take pride in their personal appearance too. They dress well and are concerned with the impression they make on others.
Egalitarianism in Belgian Society
. Belgium is on the whole an egalitarian society.
. Women are not expected to change their name when they marry.
. There are laws governing paternity as well as maternity leaves and laws forbidding sexual harassment in the workplace.
. Women are not expected to change their name when they marry.
. There are laws governing paternity as well as maternity leaves and laws forbidding sexual harassment in the workplace.
Etiquette & Protocol Guidelines for Belgium
Meeting Etiquette
. Greetings entail a degree of formality. A brief handshake is the common greeting among people who do not know each other.
. Once a relationship is developed, three kisses on the cheek may replace the handshake. This is more a kissing of the air near the person's cheek. Start with the left cheek and alternate.
. Men never kiss other men; they always shake hands.
. Once a relationship is developed, three kisses on the cheek may replace the handshake. This is more a kissing of the air near the person's cheek. Start with the left cheek and alternate.
. Men never kiss other men; they always shake hands.
Gift Giving Etiquette
. If you are invited to a Belgian's house, bring flowers or good quality chocolates for the hostess.
. Older Belgians may expect flowers to be unwrapped.
. Do not give white chrysanthemums as they signify death.
. Flowers should be given in an odd number, but not 13.
. Liquor or wine should only be given to close friends.
. Gifts are opened when received.
. Older Belgians may expect flowers to be unwrapped.
. Do not give white chrysanthemums as they signify death.
. Flowers should be given in an odd number, but not 13.
. Liquor or wine should only be given to close friends.
. Gifts are opened when received.
Dining Etiquette
. Belgians socialize in their homes and restaurants, although the home is reserved for family or close friends.
. If you receive a written invitation, the response must be written as well.
. Wait for your host or hostess to introduce you to the other guests.
. Dress conservatively. Belgians take pride in their appearance and expect you to do the same.
. Arrive on time. Punctuality demonstrates respect.
. Wait for your host to tell you where to sit.
. Women take their seats before men.
. Table manners are Continental -- the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
. Keep your wrists above the table when eating.
. Wait to see if your host offers a toast before sipping your drink.
. The guest of honour may also give a toast.
. Women may offer a toast.
. It is polite to stand for a toast.
. The Flemish raise their glasses twice during a toast. The glass is initially raised during the toast and then at the completion of the toast.
. Never leave food on your plate. It is seen as both rude and wasteful.
. Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel on your plate, tines facing upwards, with the handles facing to the right.
. Belgians take pride in their cuisine, so praising a meal is a sincere compliment.
. If you receive a written invitation, the response must be written as well.
. Wait for your host or hostess to introduce you to the other guests.
. Dress conservatively. Belgians take pride in their appearance and expect you to do the same.
. Arrive on time. Punctuality demonstrates respect.
. Wait for your host to tell you where to sit.
. Women take their seats before men.
. Table manners are Continental -- the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
. Keep your wrists above the table when eating.
. Wait to see if your host offers a toast before sipping your drink.
. The guest of honour may also give a toast.
. Women may offer a toast.
. It is polite to stand for a toast.
. The Flemish raise their glasses twice during a toast. The glass is initially raised during the toast and then at the completion of the toast.
. Never leave food on your plate. It is seen as both rude and wasteful.
. Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel on your plate, tines facing upwards, with the handles facing to the right.
. Belgians take pride in their cuisine, so praising a meal is a sincere compliment.
Business Etiquette and Protocol in Belgium
Relationships & Communication
Although third-party introductions are not necessary, they often smooth the way.
. Regardless of how you are introduced, you must always be polite and well mannered.
. Belgians are careful and prudent so take time before they trust others, be they individuals or representatives of companies.
. Business dealings tend to be bureaucratic. There are many procedures and a great deal of paperwork.
. Belgians are excellent linguists and many are sufficiently fluent to conduct meetings in English.
. Belgians prefer subtlety to directness, believing that subtlety is a reflection of intelligence.
. Although they are more direct in their communication than many cultures, if a response is too direct it may be seen as simplistic.
. They prefer communication to be logical and based on reason
. Belgians often engage in long, critical discussions before reaching a decision so that they can be certain that they have considered all the alternatives.
. They believe it is rude to be confrontational.
. Regardless of how you are introduced, you must always be polite and well mannered.
. Belgians are careful and prudent so take time before they trust others, be they individuals or representatives of companies.
. Business dealings tend to be bureaucratic. There are many procedures and a great deal of paperwork.
. Belgians are excellent linguists and many are sufficiently fluent to conduct meetings in English.
. Belgians prefer subtlety to directness, believing that subtlety is a reflection of intelligence.
. Although they are more direct in their communication than many cultures, if a response is too direct it may be seen as simplistic.
. They prefer communication to be logical and based on reason
. Belgians often engage in long, critical discussions before reaching a decision so that they can be certain that they have considered all the alternatives.
. They believe it is rude to be confrontational.
Business Meeting Etiquette
. Appointments are necessary
. The person you are meeting will generally set the time for the meeting, usually mid morning or mid afternoon.
. Avoid scheduling meetings during July and August, which are prime vacation times; the week before Easter; and the week between Christmas and New Year.
. Everyone is expected to arrive on time
. Arriving late may brand you as unreliable.
. Meetings are formal
. First appointments are more socially than business oriented, as Belgians prefer to do business with those they know.
. Do not remove your jacket during a meeting.
. The person you are meeting will generally set the time for the meeting, usually mid morning or mid afternoon.
. Avoid scheduling meetings during July and August, which are prime vacation times; the week before Easter; and the week between Christmas and New Year.
. Everyone is expected to arrive on time
. Arriving late may brand you as unreliable.
. Meetings are formal
. First appointments are more socially than business oriented, as Belgians prefer to do business with those they know.
. Do not remove your jacket during a meeting.
Dress Etiquette
. Men should wear dark coloured, conservative business suits with white shirts and silk ties.
. Women should wear business suits or conservative dresses.
. Men should only wear laced shoes, never loafers or other slip-ons, as they are too casual.
. Polished shoes are an integral part of a professional image.
. Women should wear business suits or conservative dresses.
. Men should only wear laced shoes, never loafers or other slip-ons, as they are too casual.
. Polished shoes are an integral part of a professional image.
Business Cards
. Business cards are exchanged without formal ritual.
. Have one side of your business card translated into French or Dutch. This shows respect and understanding of the linguistic heritage of your colleagues.
. If you have meetings in both areas, have two sets of business cards printed, and be careful to use the proper ones.
. Present your business card so the recipient can read the side with their national language.
. Have one side of your business card translated into French or Dutch. This shows respect and understanding of the linguistic heritage of your colleagues.
. If you have meetings in both areas, have two sets of business cards printed, and be careful to use the proper ones.
. Present your business card so the recipient can read the side with their national language.
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