Belgium - Culture, Etiquette and Business Practices

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What will you Learn about Belgium?

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You will gain an understanding of a number of key areas including:

• Language
• Religion and beliefs
• Culture and society
• Social etiquette and customs
• Business culture and etiquette

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Facts and Statistics

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• Location: Western Europe, bordering France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km
• Capital: Brussels
• Climate: temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy
• Population: 11.59 million (2020)
• Ethnic Make-up: Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%
• Religions: Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%
• Government: federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch

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A church in Gent. Photo by Jorge Fernández Salas on Unsplash

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Languages of Belgium

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Official Languages of Belgium are French, Dutch and German. Wallon is used by 33% of the population. Flemish, the local variant of Dutch, is used by more than 60% of the population, and is spoken in the northern part of the country.

• The languages learned at school are officially labelled French and Dutch. German, spoken by 1% of the population can be found in the cantons in the east of the Wallon region.
• Brussels, the capital of Belgium, has two official languages: French and Dutch.
• Luxembourgish is spoken by around 0.5% of the population, but the language has no official status.
• About 10% of the Belgian population are non-native, and languages spoken include Italian, Spanish, Greek, Arabic and Turkish.

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Belgian Society & Culture

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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.

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Parc du Cinquantenaire, Brussels by Jorge Fernández Salas on Unsplash

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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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Tipping

• The majority of restaurants in Belgium include a service charge of 10-15% of the bill. 
• Tips in addition to this fee are not expected. 
• Consider rounding up the bill for taxi drivers. 
• It’s not common to tip house keeping / concierge or bar staff.

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Etiquette & Manners in Belgium

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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.

 

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.

 

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.

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You can't visit Belgium without trying the waffles! Photo by Robby McCullough on Unsplash

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Business Culture and Etiquette in Belgium

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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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Management

• Read more about this in our guide to the Belgian Management Style.

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