Julius Caesar conquered what is now Belgium in 50 b.c. Roman rule faded, and Belgium came under the domination of the Franks in the fifth century. After Charlemagne’s empire fragmented, Belgium was attached to one duchy after another.

In 1516, through marriage and inheritance, Belgium and the Netherlands came under

the rule of Spain (the whole area was then called the Spanish Netherlands). The Protestant Dutch resented being ruled by the Catholic Spanish king. With some help from Protestant England, the Dutch successfully broke away and formed the Dutch Republic. Catholic Belgium did not revolt, but it was hard-pressed to survive, trapped between two aggressive nations—the Dutch in the north and the French in the south.

After the War of the Spanish Succession, the Treaty of Utrecht gave control of Belgium

to Austria in 1713. Religious repression continued, and Belgium became more Catholic as many of its Protestants emigrated north into the Netherlands.

 

With France in the grip of the French Revolution, the Austrians and Prussians decided to invade France in 1792. This was a mistake; the French army not only defeated them but also occupied the Austrian Netherlands. Belgium would remain a part of France until the final defeat of Napoleon I in 1815. When the Congress of Vienna redrew the map of Europe in 1815, control of Belgium was given to the Netherlands. The Belgians successfully broke away from the Netherlands (with help from Britain and France) in 1830. The independent Kingdom of Belgium dates from this revolt.

 

When, in 1879, the Belgian Parliament declined to establish an African colony, King Leopold II put together a private company to exploit the resources of the Congo. International censure over the treatment of the people of the Congo led to the colony’s annexation by the Belgian government in 1908, when the name of the country was changed to the Belgian Congo. After the First World War, Germany’s African colonies of Ruanda and Urundi (now called Rwanda and Burundi) were given to Belgium by the League of Nations. This marked the extent of the Belgian Colonial Empire. After the Second World War, Belgium’s African colonies gained their independence.

 

Belgium remained neutral in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. Unfortunately, for the

Belgians, German armies would occupy their country in both world wars, marching through Belgium on the way to invading France.

 

In 1957, Belgium became a founding member of the European Economic Community,

which evolved into today’s European Union. In 1995, Belgium completed a constitutional realignment from a centralist to a federal form of government. This has granted more power to the regions but failed to satisfydemands for regional autonomy. Further devolution of power to the regions was undertaken in 2002.

 

Cultural Note

The Belgian city of Antwerp has long been one of the world’s great diamond trading centers. Lately, Antwerp’s preeminence has been threatened by two factors: the discovery and mining of high-grade diamonds in Canada (which are marketed outside the worldwide diamond cartel system) and the production of gem-quality artificial diamonds.

 

Type of Government

Belgium is a constitutional monarchy with two legislative houses. The king is the chief of state, and the prime minister is the head of the government. Elections to Parliament occur every four years, and voting is compulsory. There is a Senate and a House of Representatives. 

 

Local communities and regions have been granted the authority to make decisions

regarding education, welfare, public works, and investment.

 

Brussels is not only the capital of Belgium but is also the headquarters of the European

Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Belgium has a high standard of living, supported in part by the politicians of the European Union who meet in Brussels. It also has very high taxes.

 

The Kingdom of Belgium recognizes three official languages: French, Dutch, and German. Linguists have identified eight languages spoken in Belgium. One of them is an artificial language called Europanto; as an invented tongue, it is a second language with no native speakers.

 

English is the common language of choice for the politicians of the European Union in

Brussels.

 

The Belgian View

Although all the major world religions are represented in Belgium, the country is overwhelmingly Roman Catholic. Holidays and cultural festivals are determined by the Catholic Church calendar. Belgium’s northern region, called Flanders, is populated primarily by Dutch speakers. In the southern region (Wallonia), Belgians usually speak French. The north and the south are almost separate, rival countries. Historically, the economic center of Belgium has fluctuated between the two regions. Before the Second World War, the mines and heavy industry in the south made Wallonia the wealthier region. Since the war, Wallonia’s industries proved unable to fight off global competition, but Flanders prospered. Today, the Dutch speakers suggest that the Walloons are an economic drag on the economy.

 

To foreigners, Belgians can seem extremely private and unwilling to discuss their interests with visitors. One of their saving graces is their absurdist sense of humor—which compliments their important artistic movement—surrealism.

 

Know Before You Go

Belgium is a very safe and peaceful country. Some wits claim that the greatest hazard to visitors are the high prices in Brussels.

Belgium is one of the “Low Countries.” Flooding is always a hazard during long spells of rain. Land has been reclaimed from the sea via dikes (although not as much as in the Netherlands). A failure in the dike system would cause catastrophic property damage and perhaps loss of life.

 

Belgium (like Luxembourg) is a European banking haven, where illegal funds are sometimes laundered. In response to high taxation, Belgium has a large underground economy, which may be as large as 20 percent of Belgium’s GNP.

 

Cultural Orientation

Cognitive Styles: How Belgians Organize and Process Information In general, the Belgians are open-minded to outside information and will engage anyone in a discussion of facts, principles, or theories. Information is generally processed

from a conceptual perspective. They are proud of their intellectual heritage. The German speakers tend to follow abstract codes of behavior while the Dutch and French speakers are more apt to emphasize interpersonal relationships. In all three groups friendships are particular and deep.

 

Negotiation Strategies: What Belgians Accept as Evidence

Although facts are the most valid form of evidence, the Belgians’ strong humanitarian perspective makes feelings important in any negotiation situation. Belgians also have a strong faith in the perspectives of their religious ideologies.

 

Value Systems: The Basis for Behavior

There are three major cultural value systems in Belgium: Dutch, French, and German. Knowing the cultural orientations of these three cultures may help someone who goes to Belgium. The following three sections identify the Value Systems in the predominant culture—their methods of dividing right from wrong, good from evil, and so forth.

 

Locus of Decision-Making

The individual is responsible for his or her decisions. Although ethnocentric values are

adhered to, the relationship between the participants is a major variable in the decisionmaking process. Decision-making is slow and involved, as all peripheral concerns must be taken care of in the process. Belgians hold to the principles of common sense and compromise.

 

Sources of Anxiety Reduction

Some sociologists believe that the Belgians have an extraordinarily high index of uncertainty avoidance. Presumably, this is the result of being twice occupied by German armies in the twentieth century—not even as a goal in itself, but more as a convenient transit to invading France. As a result, Belgians are highly risk-averse and use laws and morality to give structure to their worldview.

 

The nuclear family remains the basic unit, but the extended family is the primary focus

all through life, bringing structure and stability. One of three social units shapes a person’s life: A person is born into the Catholic, socialist, or liberal group. This then supplies the agencies in which the person participates socially. Belgians are usually joiners, so there is an organization for every kind of need.

 

Issues of Equality/Inequality

Although most Belgians are Catholic and bi- or trilingual, they have not come to terms with their religious and linguistic cleavages. There is still considerable group and ethnic bias. Class distinctions remain.

 

Cultural Note

The Belgians often cope with adversity through a self-deprecating sense of humor. Even King Leopold II put down his nation with the comment “petit pays, petites gens” (“small country, small-minded people”). However, such comments  are only allowed by the Belgians themselves. Foreigners who make negative comments about Belgium or its people will quickly find themselves on the defensive.

 

Business Practices

Punctuality, Appointments, and Local Time

● Always be punctual for business appointments in Belgium.

● Belgians write the day first, then the month, then the year (e.g., December 3, 2010, is

written 3.12.10 or 3/12/10).

● Most Belgians take a one-month vacation each year.

● Phone, e-mail, or write for an appointment at least a week in advance.

● The Belgian company will set the time of your appointment. An 11:30 a.m. appointment is a lunch appointment.

● Expect the first appointment to be social. Most Belgians must get to know you before

they decide whether they want to do business with you.

● For Belgium’s official holidays, visit www.kissboworshakehands.com.

● Belgium is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (G.M.T. +1). This makes it six

hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (E.S.T. +6).

 

Negotiating

● With two distinct business cultures, business practices naturally vary. Meetings may

begin with socializing or may immediately get down to business. If Belgians want to

engage in small talk, do so. Although such conversation may seem inconsequential, your Belgian counterparts are judging you.

● Be modest about talents and about wealth.

● Mutual trust is highly valued by Belgian businesspeople.

● Senior executives arrive at the office later than subordinates do. Don’t try to “get in

good” with the staff by going early, because Belgians are very aware of status and will feel uncomfortable.

● The Belgians respect privacy; knock and wait for an answer, and keep doors closed in the office.

● It is important to reply promptly to any request from a Belgian office.

● Assure clients that you will be available and will meet all deadlines.

● Exchanging business cards is standard practice.

● It is good to have your business card translated; one side can be in English and the other in French or Dutch, depending on the dominant language in your region.

● Present the card with the language of your colleague facing him or her.

● The cultural and linguistic divisions of the country are sensitive subjects. Do not confuse the major cultural groups and their languages.

● In general, Belgians do not discuss personal subjects. At a social event, the question

“What do you do?” is considered too intrusive.

● Religion is not a good topic of conversation. Unless they are in the news, it is better not to bring up Belgium’s former African colonies. Belgium’s colonial era did not reflect well upon its rulers.

● Belgians prize visual stimuli. Your presentation should include high-end graphics.

 

Cultural Note

Belgium suffered badly in both world wars. Not surprisingly, the Belgians are active in the care of refugees and in international peace movements. Several Belgians have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts.

 

Protocol

Greetings

● Belgians shake hands with everyone in the room or office upon meeting and departure.

● Among friends, Belgians touch cheeks and kiss the air, alternating cheeks.

 

Gestures

● Never converse with a Belgian while you have your hand in your pockets—Belgians find this very rude.

● Belgians do not use toothpicks in public.

● It is rude to point with the index finger.

● Snapping the fingers of both hands is ill-mannered in Belgium.

 

Titles/Forms of Address

● Remember that there are three linguistic groups in Belgium; each has its own customs.

● With German or Dutch speakers, you should use the English terms “Mr.” and “Miss,”

“Mrs.,” or “Ms.” before the surname.

● With French speakers, use “Monsieur” and “Madame” or “Mademoiselle” before the surname.

● As in much of Europe, the use of first names is inappropriate with the older generation, except among close friends. Younger Belgian executives may invite you to use their first name—but when in doubt, err on the side of formality.

● The order of names is the same as in most of Europe: first name followed by surname. However Belgians often introduce themselves by saying their surname first. If you are unsure as to which is the given name and which is the surname, ask.

 

Gifts

● Gift giving is not normally a part of business relationships in Belgium.

● When gifts are given, they are opened immediately in the presence of the giver.

● If you wish to give a gift to a close business associate, do not include your business card with it, and do not give a gift that is a vehicle for your company logo.

● If you are invited to a Belgian home, bring flowers (not chrysanthemums, which signify  death) or chocolates for the host. Do not bring thirteen of any flower. Red roses are only for lovers.

● Present any gift before, not after, the meal.

 

Dress

● Conservative, formal dress is expected in Belgium. Clothes must be clean and recently pressed.

● Shoes should be recently shined. Slip-on shoes (such as loafers) are not appropriate for men, except when going through security checkpoints where shoes must be removed.

● Belgians dress in their finest clothes on Sundays, whether they intend to go visiting or just take a stroll.

 

Cultural Note

In 2003, Belgium passed legislation banning the construction of new nuclear reactors. They also committed to closingtheir existing seven nuclear reactors by 2025. The government will be exploring and investing in alternative energy resources, such as renewable energy products and gas reserves.