Thu, 24 May 2012
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Here are some tips to help you find love in Belgium, from our free dating site to tips for socialising in in the Belgian culture.Dating someone from a foreign country can be an exciting experience, but it's important to keep in mind that a relationship with a person from another culture will always have its downside. Different cultures around the world have a different appreciation of the qualities that make someone a desirable mate. What might be considered romantic, attractive or polite in one culture, might not be well received in another.
Tips for socialising with Belgians
The Belgians are gentle and reserved in nature. It is acceptable for a foreign woman to invite a Belgian man to dinner, and pay the bill. Do not put your hands in your pockets, yawn or use toothpicks in public places. Your feet should never be put on chairs or tables. Keep your hands on the table at all times during a meal, not in your lap.
When you are invited somewhere, you should accept any drink offered by the host. Don`t ask for a drink when you are not offered one. Do not be surprised if husbands and wives are not seated together at dinner, this is normal for the Belgians. (Belgians are thrifty and do not appreciate waste, so finish all the food on your plate.)
In business meetings, gifts are not to be exchanged. However, when you are invited to someone`s home, alwaysbring flowers to the hostess and perhaps some candy for the children, if any. By no means give chrysanthemums, they symbolize death.
Most families have between two and four children.
Married couples often work side-by-side in either business or farming. Instead of divorcing, couples who are in business together may remain legally married in order to protect the business, while maintaining separate households with new partners.
Is it possible to live happily-ever-after with a Belgian? Of course! But the Belgians do tend to value good manners; so if yours are not up to Belgian standards try changing them to win their hearts.
Do you have any stories about dating Belgians or helpful tips you want to share? Post them on the Expatica Community!
Expatica Dating
Meet the most eligible internationals in Belgium at Expatica Date. Registration is free.
Teodora Todorova / Expatica
I could not have said it any better!
Is that an article written in the sixties? Things have changed a bit since then ;-)
Quite fun to read, being a Belgian...
I agree with Gauthier! Great fun to read the article, but please also take into account the differences of culture between linguistic groups as well!
Also, I don't think anyone has ever given up their seat for me on the bus in Brussels?? Am I surrounded by non-Belgians?
I find strange, the "dont put your hands in your lap", doest it really matter all that ?? any belgians to answer this plz
The biggest mistake in this and most other articles lies in the use of the word "Belgian".
There is no such thing as a Belgian when it comes to cultural and interpersonal aspects.
Basically, you have the north and the south. Both of which have their own customs and culture.
The northern part, Flanders, is much more related to The Netherlands, Germany, The U.K. in terms of history, culture and habits.
The southern part, Wallonia, tends to be more "southern" and shows more relation to countries as France, Italy and Spain.
An example is the greeting between men. In Wallonia it is not uncommon for men to greet each other with a kiss on the cheek, as it is in other southern european countries.
In Flanders this will always be seen as "gay" (in the sense of homosexual).
A Belgian only exists as a nationality, a stamp on a passport, not as a cultural entity.
As far as customs go when you're invited: don't worry to much about it. Firstly, the world has become a village and especially the "western" world has mostly the same values and customs, no matter where you go.
Secondly, as a foreigner you will be cut some slack in terms of manners and customs.
I could not have said it any better!
Is that an article written in the sixties? Things have changed a bit since then ;-)
Quite fun to read, being a Belgian...
I agree with Gauthier! Great fun to read the article, but please also take into account the differences of culture between linguistic groups as well!
Also, I don't think anyone has ever given up their seat for me on the bus in Brussels?? Am I surrounded by non-Belgians?
I find strange, the "dont put your hands in your lap", doest it really matter all that ?? any belgians to answer this plz
The biggest mistake in this and most other articles lies in the use of the word "Belgian".
There is no such thing as a Belgian when it comes to cultural and interpersonal aspects.
Basically, you have the north and the south. Both of which have their own customs and culture.
The northern part, Flanders, is much more related to The Netherlands, Germany, The U.K. in terms of history, culture and habits.
The southern part, Wallonia, tends to be more "southern" and shows more relation to countries as France, Italy and Spain.
An example is the greeting between men. In Wallonia it is not uncommon for men to greet each other with a kiss on the cheek, as it is in other southern european countries.
In Flanders this will always be seen as "gay" (in the sense of homosexual).
A Belgian only exists as a nationality, a stamp on a passport, not as a cultural entity.
As far as customs go when you're invited: don't worry to much about it. Firstly, the world has become a village and especially the "western" world has mostly the same values and customs, no matter where you go.
Secondly, as a foreigner you will be cut some slack in terms of manners and customs.
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