Belgian customs, taboos and etiquette

The character of the Belgian people lies between the British gentleman's demeanor and the French romantic enthusiasm, which is both traditional and not conservative. It is necessary to understand the etiquette and taboos when dealing with Belgians.

dating

China people are accustomed to solving problems at any time. Whether they are asking for instructions or reporting work, whether they are visiting or treating guests to dinner, they all show great randomness. This will never work in Belgium. Belgian activities reflect strong planning. When you want to discuss a certain issue with your Belgian partner or supervisor, when you want to visit a Belgian friend's house, when you feel uncomfortable and want to see a doctor, in short, when you need to deal with Belgian people, you usually have to make an appointment in advance. Even every haircut, you must make an appointment with the barber shop in advance, otherwise you may make a trip in vain because someone else has a previous appointment. Dating allows people to think carefully in advance about the issues they are about to discuss, making the discussion more productive. Of course, if you encounter urgent problems that are time-sensitive, you can also advance the appointment or directly study solutions with Belgian friends without appointment.

met with

When invited to meet at the appointed time, you should arrive 5 minutes in advance. You should dress neatly when you meet for the first time, because this shows that you attach importance to the meeting and respect for the other party. The handshake should be simple and strong. Repeat your name while taking the initiative to hand over your business card. This will help the other person understand your identity and know how to call you by your name. If you clearly know the person's title, it is okay to address him as Mr, Miss, or Mrs. Just don't call them by their names and don't appear too close. The first meeting should give people a reliable and credible impression, and should not make people feel frivolous and casual. When leaving the office after the meeting, you should take the initiative to shake hands and say goodbye to those present.

language

The Belgian nation is mainly composed of Flemish people in the north and Walloons in the south. The former speaks Dutch and the latter French. Because of historical reasons, the Flemish and Walloon people have long been at odds with each other and have deep prejudices. Language has therefore always been a sensitive issue in Belgian sociopolitics. If you speak French rashly with a Flemish merchant, it is likely to incur the other party's resentment, and the outcome of the negotiation will be self-evident. Therefore, it is safest to talk in English until you understand the ethnic background of the partners you are going to contact.

taboo

When interacting with Belgians, first, we must keep in mind Belgium's ethnic and language problems, treat Walloons and Flemish people equally, and never entangle ourselves with Belgium's ethnic conflicts. The second is to avoid talking about religious and political issues in Belgium, because it is difficult to know whether your Belgian partners appreciate your views. A safer topic can be about sports, such as football and bicycle racing, which Belgians like, or Belgium's cultural achievements, or the cities you have visited. The third is not to break your promise. Breaking faith shows your lack of respect for the other party and also reflects your own credibility. Therefore, whether it is an ordinary date or the signing of a formal contract, you should be carefully considered in advance. Once a promise has been made, you cannot easily break the promise. Even if it is a very ordinary appointment, if you cannot make the appointment on time due to an emergency, you should try to inform the other party in time and apologize.