Belgium has a population of just over 10 million people.

A little over three million live in the southern part of the country, which is known as Wallonia. They speak French. There are just under 6 million Flemish Belgians living in the Flanders region in the north. They speak Flemish, a variant of Dutch.

Brussels and its surrounding region has just under a million inhabitants and is officially bi-lingual, though 75 percent of the region's inhabitants speak French. There is also small community of around 70,000 German speakers in the east of the country.

Belgium is divided into linguistic communities and Belgians do not tend to identify themselves with a national culture but with the culture of the language group they grew up in.

Therefore there are three major cultural value systems in Belgium; the French, the Flemish and the German.

Try, indirectly, to find out the cultural background of the person you talk to or work with.

How to address the Belgians

The Flemish do not like to be addressed in French and the Walloons do not like to be addressed in Flemish. In case you do not know the cultural background of a person try to address him or her in the neutral language of English. Most people in the large cities speak English.

Individualists versus collectivists

A Flemish person is more of an individualist and a Walloon tends to consider the group as more important.

Hierarchy

Company structures are rather hierarchical. Decisions are made at the top. Communication takes mostly place from top to bottom. Personal initiative within the company is not always appreciated therefore adjust your own expectations with regard to this.

Status

The Walloons and Flemish respect status based on family, education, position in society and old age.

Lunches

Belgians appreciate food and wine. Do not put actual work above a lunch with a colleague. During lunch you may be informed of matters which would never be discussed in the office. Many important business decisions are made during these lunches.

Compromise

Due to the extremely complicated structure of the country all Belgians are masters in compromise.

Friendship

Do not confuse the warm Belgian hospitality and courteousness for friendship. Work and the social life of family and friends are two different worlds. The family life is closed for foreigners. If you want to be friends with the Belgians try to invite them into your own house.

Or as most Belgians love culture, try to undertake an excursion together (such as an exhibition, concert or picnic with the kids).
 
Eleonore Breukel is a cross-cultural consultant and trainer.

[Copyright Expatica, updated 2009]

Subject: Belgium, business, culture