This full page spread was in our local newspaper recently. It's an article about a Belgian family who moved from the town of Hoeselt (about 15 min. south of where we live) to the Houston suburb of Kingswood, Texas.
Since their situation is similar to ours, I was curious what they thought of living in America. I found the questions very interesting and the answers even more interesting. I think you may too.
The guy, Patrick, is a 47 year old petroleum engineer working for Chevron-Phillips. He's worked for them for 25 years and leads a team of 45 engineers. His wife, Ann, is not working in the States and they have two daughters, Anke (age 15) and Lize (age 16). They have been in Texas about 2 years.
What differences do you find in the workplace?
- there is a greater safety awareness than in Belgium
- most employees work more than 40 hours per week and have less vacation
- I work about 13 hours per day at my job
- a person must speak good English to get a job in Texas
- taxes are half that of Belgium
- Americans find it normal to pay for their own health insurance; if they get cancer and are uninsured, they are out of luck
- employees have respect for each other and there is much less racism in Texas than in Belgium
Note: He goes on to say that the racism in Belgium may be because of the language. Despite there being a large Spanish speaking population, everyone speaks English in Texas. In Belgium, there are many languages spoken and actually three official languages here. Although racism can be against any race, the term is used broadly in Europe. Even if a person is European, but comes from another country, there may be discrimination.
What should I know about Texas?
- they sell guns in the supermarket
- it is normal to drive on the highway in the left lane
- you may ride with sandals and without a helmet on a motorcycle
What keeps Texans busy?
- American football, basketball and baseball
- they eat out for breakfast, lunch and dinner
What can you not do as a Belgian in Texas?
- say our football is more important than American football
Is living in Texas more expensive?
- most things are cheaper; autos are 30 percent cheaper, also food, clothes and electronics
- water and internet are higher
- university costs $25,000 per year
Note: Our water bill here in Belgium is about $100 a month and that seems high to me. It wasn't that high in the States. Perhaps water is more costly now - we have been gone for a while!
What do Texans associate with Belgium?
- beer and chocolate
What are typical Texas expressions?
- howdy and y'all
What is a typical dish?
- Tex Mex; they eat lots of enchiladas or rolled tortillas with beef
How religious are Texans?
- almost everyone goes to church - in Kingswood alone there are perhaps 15 different types of protestant churches
- the whole social life revolves around those churches
- they also go on Wednesdays; some of our neighbors go to bible study
What annoys you in Texas?
- the tv programs have big chunks of time for advertising - even the news and weather
What annoys you about Texans?
- they are outspoken democrat or republican - it is very black and white; a republican is against Obama
- it strikes me that almost every working white is Republican
How much do you earn?
- enough for a good life; I am dismayed by the difference in salaries - a young worker at McDonald's earns $15,000 per year gross and an engineer earns $85,000 - a difference of factor 6. In Belgium it is but 1.5 times more.
How are your daughters doing in school?
- they find it very pleasant
- I have the impression they have to study a little less
- the school pays much attention to skills
- students are encouraged to organize something or to do a presentation
- before and after school there are also sports activities; Anke runs in the morning before school and Lize plays tennis for one hour every day after school
- they also speak with a better American accent than I!
Patrick's wife, Ann . . .
- a few times a week I ride bikes and play golf with six ladies
- taking a career break, but enjoys a busy social life and enjoys the nature
- we live right by a forest with deer and foxes
- in our garden we have armadillos and raccoons, also hummingbirds
- only for the snakes you have to watch out!
Note: Although no one has asked us for an interview . . . next up, our answers to similar questions :)
Since their situation is similar to ours, I was curious what they thought of living in America. I found the questions very interesting and the answers even more interesting. I think you may too.
The guy, Patrick, is a 47 year old petroleum engineer working for Chevron-Phillips. He's worked for them for 25 years and leads a team of 45 engineers. His wife, Ann, is not working in the States and they have two daughters, Anke (age 15) and Lize (age 16). They have been in Texas about 2 years.
What differences do you find in the workplace?
- there is a greater safety awareness than in Belgium
- most employees work more than 40 hours per week and have less vacation
- I work about 13 hours per day at my job
- a person must speak good English to get a job in Texas
- taxes are half that of Belgium
- Americans find it normal to pay for their own health insurance; if they get cancer and are uninsured, they are out of luck
- employees have respect for each other and there is much less racism in Texas than in Belgium
Note: He goes on to say that the racism in Belgium may be because of the language. Despite there being a large Spanish speaking population, everyone speaks English in Texas. In Belgium, there are many languages spoken and actually three official languages here. Although racism can be against any race, the term is used broadly in Europe. Even if a person is European, but comes from another country, there may be discrimination.
What should I know about Texas?
- they sell guns in the supermarket
- it is normal to drive on the highway in the left lane
- you may ride with sandals and without a helmet on a motorcycle
What keeps Texans busy?
- American football, basketball and baseball
- they eat out for breakfast, lunch and dinner
What can you not do as a Belgian in Texas?
- say our football is more important than American football
Is living in Texas more expensive?
- most things are cheaper; autos are 30 percent cheaper, also food, clothes and electronics
- water and internet are higher
- university costs $25,000 per year
Note: Our water bill here in Belgium is about $100 a month and that seems high to me. It wasn't that high in the States. Perhaps water is more costly now - we have been gone for a while!
What do Texans associate with Belgium?
- beer and chocolate
What are typical Texas expressions?
- howdy and y'all
What is a typical dish?
- Tex Mex; they eat lots of enchiladas or rolled tortillas with beef
How religious are Texans?
- almost everyone goes to church - in Kingswood alone there are perhaps 15 different types of protestant churches
- the whole social life revolves around those churches
- they also go on Wednesdays; some of our neighbors go to bible study
What annoys you in Texas?
- the tv programs have big chunks of time for advertising - even the news and weather
What annoys you about Texans?
- they are outspoken democrat or republican - it is very black and white; a republican is against Obama
- it strikes me that almost every working white is Republican
How much do you earn?
- enough for a good life; I am dismayed by the difference in salaries - a young worker at McDonald's earns $15,000 per year gross and an engineer earns $85,000 - a difference of factor 6. In Belgium it is but 1.5 times more.
How are your daughters doing in school?
- they find it very pleasant
- I have the impression they have to study a little less
- the school pays much attention to skills
- students are encouraged to organize something or to do a presentation
- before and after school there are also sports activities; Anke runs in the morning before school and Lize plays tennis for one hour every day after school
- they also speak with a better American accent than I!
Patrick's wife, Ann . . .
- a few times a week I ride bikes and play golf with six ladies
- taking a career break, but enjoys a busy social life and enjoys the nature
- we live right by a forest with deer and foxes
- in our garden we have armadillos and raccoons, also hummingbirds
- only for the snakes you have to watch out!
Note: Although no one has asked us for an interview . . . next up, our answers to similar questions :)
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