The country of Belgium is just a little larger than Zhytomyr Oblast, but with three official languages – Dutch, French and German – and a rich culture stretching far beyond well-known chocolate and beer, the home to the capital of Europe proves that not everything is about the size.
The country of Belgium is just a little larger than Zhytomyr Oblast, but with three official languages – Dutch, French and German – and a rich culture stretching far beyond wellknown chocolate and beer, the home to the capital of Europe proves that not everything is about the size.
If there is something that 11 million Belgians take seriously, it must be food. The time Belgians spend enjoying their meal is never considered wasted, whether it’s a home-cooked dinner or a night out at a restaurant with some wine or beer. Beer and chocolate are part of their national pride, that’s why Belgians would be very happy if the world finally stopped doubting whether their beer is better than Germany’s and their chocolate tastier than Swiss. There are more than 350 brands of beer available in the country, most of them still produced in monasteries or artisanal breweries.A great variety of chocolate is found everywhere, from large supermarkets to tiny stores, and any chocolatier is proud to sell his own pralines.
No Belgian thinks that waffles are a trivial matter. In the sea of flavors, there are two types of waffles.While a Brussels waffle is square and has sugar sprinkled on top, a Liege one is round and tastes sweeter with sugar added to the dough. Ask Belgian grannys where they buy their waffles – they would know best.
When it comes to French fries, or frieten, Belgians won’t let you forget that it was Belgians, not the French, who invented them back in the 17th century, so it would only be fair, they say, to change the name to Belgian fries.
But before that happens, there’s one more thing they can complain about, as it seems complaining is part of their national character too. Kind-hearted Belgians don’t just do it because they are grumpy – it’s just their way to socialize. They’ll complain about anything: from the slippery cobblestone roads in some cities to the country’s politics. And there’s plenty to grumble about there, as the country in February broke Iraq’s 249-day record without a government. Divisions between Flemish and Walloon parties since election in June 2010 left Belgium with a caretaker government.
If you know about this Belgian trait, it doesn’t mean you can whine freely in Belgium. If visitors start complaining, Belgians will argue back saying that their country is the best in the world.Being in love with the country’s nature and history is a must for any Belgian. For example, never say that the North Sea is not much to be proud of. Despite piercing winds and muddy water, it’s a favorite vacation spot for many Belgians.
Though the weather is often rainy, Belgians know how to entertain themselves. They love their cable television and a large choice of comics books. They even have a Belgian Comic Strip Center in Brussels, which tells the history of Belgian comics with its 700-piece collection.
Belgians are family-oriented and love spending time with their family or fixing their house. A popular saying goes that a Belgian has a brick in his belly, which means they are ready to spend any amount of time or money to make their homes cozy.
They also enjoy playing sports, and the favorite is football, followed by cycling and tennis. Because they tend to be very attached to their hometowns, Belgians tend to support their local football teams with great zest and energy, no matter how small or successful it is.
They are also known for their developed sense of respect for any profession, be it a top manager or a street vendor. Therefore, the job satisfaction in Belgium usually ranks quite high.
Nevertheless, shows and parties are a must to keep Belgians happy. There are many festivals for all tastes, like Pukkelpop, an alternative music festival, Ghent Festival with music and theater performances, or Werchter festival, a rock music gig.
