Some time among the Belgians

In all the time we were living in Hasselt, we never met another American also living in Hasselt so we were unique to everyone we met and they were curious about why we were living there and very surprised to learn that we actually liked it there.

We also formed some opinions about the country, the people, and life in general. Most importantly, despite 3 official languages (French, Dutch and German), Belgians speak fluent English which made life way too easy for us and learning Dutch impossible.  Nederlands is moeilijk.

Lest I forget one day . . . these are a few facts and a few of my own personal opinions about Belgium and Belgians . . .

Belgium is a kingdom with a king and queen and ranks among the most densely populated countries in the world. The climate is temperate, making it not too hot and not too cold, Goldilocks.  

Belgians are generally nice and usually helpful, but not outwardly friendly.  If you approach someone and ask for help or directions, you will find them most willing, but it is rare for someone to smile and say "good morning" to a stranger on the street.

Belgians are attractive, not always beautiful.  They are well-groomed and fashionable.  Most are physically fit and average in size.  Personal appearance is not an afterthought - it is an important aspect of daily life.  No warm-ups outside the house. 

Belgians are family-oriented and prefer to live in close proximity to extended family. They are patient with their children, rarely scolding or raising their voice and never raising a hand to them in public.

Belgians love their homeland, but are not patriotic.  Their flag doesn't fly from every bank and car dealership, but Belgians also don't have any intention of leaving their country.  They want to own their own home, right there, and preferably build it with their own hands.

Belgians retire young and receive a decent pension.  They pay about 50% of their income in taxes and most have no incentive or desire to work more than 40 hours a week.  If at all affordable, they will spend 2 full weeks on holiday every year - somewhere that's warm and almost exclusively during July and August. They enjoy life.

Belgians are tolerant, accepting and almost indifferent.  Less than 5% of the population attend church and practiced religion is almost non-existent.

Belgians are over-educated and speak at least 4 languages fluently.  They are rigid and structured to a fault, preferring every aspect of their lives be planned. Impromptu is not in their vocabulary.

Belgians are entitled to all social services - their tax dollars at work.  They enjoy universal healthcare, but no, it is not free.  The country is famous for its bureaucracy and with five political parties, the people don't ever expect a majority nor do they take their government seriously. Elections are hardly noticeable.

In my opinion, Belgium is ahead of the curve in many ways.  Euthanasia has been legal for the last 13 years.  Abortion has been legal for 25 years.  Gay marriage legal for 13 years. Microchip credit cards and paperless transactions were established 25 years ago. Yes, that "new" microchip you still don't have on your credit card - they had it 25 years ago! I'd call that "ahead of the curve".

If Belgians marry, it will be after many years as a couple, usually with several children and perhaps a decade of cohabitation prior to a legal contract. Although some couples also have a church wedding, marriage is only legal when performed by a civil registrar, usually at the City Hall.  

With over 11 million people (~1000 people per sq mile - 10 times that of La. or Tex.!), drivers are mostly courteous and attentive, considering the number of them on the roads.  A drivers license, possible at age 18, is expensive and not easy to achieve.  Many fail several times before earning that coveted certificate. Pedestrians and cyclists are abundant and they always have the right of way. With designated sidewalks and bike lanes, they are fairly safe - considering the number of cars on the road.  

Belgians and all Europeans enjoy generous public transportation options.  They are affordable and relatively reliable.  There's always room for improvement, but one can easily live an entire life and travel the world without ever owning a car, although most Belgians do have a car - hence the horrendous traffic.

Belgians enjoy life, but perhaps the one thing they talk about and/or complain about most is the weather. The national color is grey.  Just kidding.  Kismet.  I, too, complained about the weather and now I remember the true definitions of "air you can wear" and "hot as hell".

Belgium - famous for great beer, delicious chocolate and waffles, a cafe' on every corner and good people.

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We had the good fortune to get to know a lot of Belgians and were able to glean a little into how some of them feel about Americans.  We almost never encountered anyone who was openly negative about the U.S. 

Disclaimer!  This is my own personal opinion about what Belgians think of Americans in general - obviously not ALL Americans and obviously not ALL Belgians.  And it probably won't surprise you.  The media has done a fine job of painting us all with the same brush.  I hope we left those who knew us with a better feeling about Americans than what they see and hear in the news.

Belgians think most Americans are very patriotic and think the world ends at the American border. They think most Americans want to impose morals and values on the rest of the world even if it kills and/or bankrupts us.

Belgians think most Americans are arrogant and unenlightened, particularly ignorant of history, geography and current worldly events.  They also think most Americans are intolerant and very religious.  

Belgians think most Americans are always in a hurry, are wasteful and obese.  

However, having said all that . . . Belgians apparently don't think any of that is necessarily bad. Most want to visit America and those who get the chance remark that Americans are friendly, the prices are reasonable, and they hope to get to visit again!

Lest I forget . . .