AB

ST
RA
CT
Belgi
um
offici
ally
the
King
dom
of
Belgi
um,
is a
feder
al
mona
rchy
in
Weste
rn
Euro
pe. It
is a
found
ing
mem
ber of
the
Euro
pean
Unio
n and
hosts
the
EU's

By
Faiza Sajid - 15214
Cheryl Youhanna - 21648
Uzair Rafiq - 19851
Sabeen Ahmed - 18029
Noreena Pervez - 21257

Submitted To
Maam Summaiya

Submitted On
2nd December 2014

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

Table of Content
Country Description
Introduction 5
Geography...... 6
Area 7-8
Currency and Flag.. 8
History 9
Wars 10-12
Independence.. 13
Map of Belgium 14

National Level

Trompenar Dimension 15
Hofstede Model.. 16
Income Level.. 17
Class System... 17
Ethnicity.. 17
Past Events.. 18-21

Cultural Layers
Inner layer 22
1

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

Outer Layer.. 23-30

Core Layer 31
Subcultures.. 32-33

Business Culture

Etiquettes.. 34-35
Communication context 36
Business Meeting.. 37
Meeting Protocol37
Meeting Contact.....38
Negotiation Styles38
Stereo Typical Image..41
Business Gestures42

Acknowledgment
Making this report has been an enlightening and pleasurable experience. The knowledge
and experience gained is immeasurable.

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who contributed to the
incorporation of it. Unfortunately the list of thanks-no matter how expensive is always
incomplete and inadequate. These acknowledgements are no exception to it.
Our first and utmost regard must go to our course instructor of Cross Cultural
Management, Maam Summaiya for providing us with this opportunity.

Sincerely,
Student of BBA-H
Faiza Sajid - 15214
Chryl Youhanna - 21648
Sabeen Ahmed - 18029
Noreena Pervez - 21257
Uzair Rafiq - 19851

Letter of Transmittal
02 - December, 2014
Maam Summaiya
Course Instructor
3

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

Iqra University (Main Campus)

Subject: Submission of Final Report

Dear Maam, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the guidance and
support you have provided us during the semester. Without your help, this report would
have been impossible to complete.
To prepare the report we collected what we believe to be most relevant information to
make our report as analytical and reliable as possible. We have concentrated our best
effort to achieve the objectives of the report and hope that our endeavor will serve the
purpose.
We would really be grateful to you enlighten us with your thoughts and views regarding
the report. Thank you again for your support and patience.
Yours Sincerely,
Faiza Sajid -15214
Cheryl Youhanna - 21648
Sabeen Ahmed - 18029
Noreena - 21257
Uzair Rafiq - 19851

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. General Description
4

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

Belgium is Europe in a nutshell,

multicultural and multilingual.
Flanders in the north, a flatland
crisscrossed by canals, is proud of
its great art cities,
Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent. To
the south in Wallonia, you will find
the rolling hills of the Ardennes,
numerous castles, and the cities
of Liege and Namur.
The Flemish speak Dutch and the Walloons speak French.
In Brussels, the capital, both languages are spoken. But to make it easy, everybody
speaks English, albeit with an accent.
Belgium's history has always been linked to both commercial and cultural exchange, and
much of its character is due to its role as the great meeting place of Western Europe.
Traces of the Austrians, Spanish, French and Dutch can still be seen in its architecture
and in the lifestyle of its people. Today, its capital city of Brussels is one of the world's
great cosmopolitan cities, home to both the European Union and NATO, as well as a
wealth of international trade and finance companies.

2. Country Description
2.1. Geography and Economy

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM
Population
Capital
Area
Borders
Coastline
Location
Governmen
t
Religions
Climate
Population

10.5 million
Brussels
Approximately 11,780 square miles
(30,528 sq km)
France, Luxembourg, Netherlands
and Germany
About 40 miles (60 km) on the North
sea
Western Europe, bordering the North
sea, between France and
Netherlands
Federal parliamentary democracy
under a constitutional monarch
Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or
other 25%.
Winters, cool summers; rainy,
humid, cloudy
11.1 million

GDP (PPP)

$420.3 billion
-0.2% growth
0.4% 5-year compound annual
growth
$37,883 per capita

Unemploym
ent
Inflation
(CPI)

7.3%

FDI Inflow

$-1613.8 million

2.6%

2.2. Area

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

Belgium has an area of 30,528 square kilometers, with 16,844 square kilometers for
Wallonia, 13,522 square kilometers for Flanders and 161 square kilometers for the
Brussels Capital Region. By providences area is distributed as such,
Luxembourg
Liege
Hainaut
Namur
West Flanders
East Flanders
Antwerp
Limburg
Flemish Brabant
Walloon Brabant

4,440 km square
3,862 km square
3,786 km square
3,666 km square
3,144 km square
2,982 km square
2,867 km square
2,422 km square
2,106 km square
1,091 km square

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

Belgium is located in Western Europe, It is 40 mi of seacoast on the North Sea, at the

Strait of Dover, and is approximately the size of Maryland. Now about the Physical
geography of Belgium. There are three geographical regions of Belgium
The coastal plain in the north-west
The central plateau
The Ardennes uplands in the south east.

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

2.3. Currency of Belgium

2.4. Flag

of Belgium

The Belgium flag was officially adopted on January 23, 1831.

It was designed to signify Belgium's recognition as an independent country. Black, gold
and red are symbolic of the country's coat of arms; black representing the shield; gold
representing the lion, and red representing the lion's claws and tongue. The vertical
layout is taken from the French Tricolore.

2.5. History
Belgium became
independent from the
Netherlands in 1830 and
was occupied by Germany
during World Wars I and II.
It has prospered in the past
half century as a modern,
technologically advanced
European state and member
of NATO and the EU. Tensions
between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of
8

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions
formal recognition and autonomy.
The Belgium history stretches back before the origin of modern state of that name in
1830.Belgium history is intertwined with those of its neighbors the Germany, France
Netherland and Luxembourg. Belgium has a long history like many other countries. The
name of Belgium comes from word Belgae. Due to its strategic location and the many
armies fighting on its area Belgium has often been called the battle field of Europe or
the cockpit of Europe. It is also called as a European nation which contains, and is
divided by, a language boundary between Latin-derived French and Germanic Dutch.
Celtic tribe lived in that area in first century. Roman occupied that area by armed forces
and Belgium is controlled as Roman Province for approximately 300 years. Romes
power began to diminish when Germanic tribes were pushed into the area and eventually
the Franks, a German group, took control of the country.
In 1795, however, Belgium was an extra or subordinate part by Napoleonic France after
the French Revolution. Soon Napoleons army was beaten and destroyed in the battle of
waterloo near Brussels and Belgium became a part of the Netherlands in 1815.
In 1830 Belgium won its independence from the Dutch. In that year or period, there was
an uprising by the Belgian people and in 1831, a constitutional monarchy was
established and a monarch from the house of Saxe-Coburg Gotha in Germany was
invited to run the country.

2.6. War
START

FINISH

NAME OF
CONFLICT

1830

1831

The Belgium
Revolution

BELLIGERENTS(excluding
Belgium)

Allies
France

Enemies
United
kingdom of
the
9

OUTCOME

Treaty of London:
Recognition by the
European power of

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

Ten days
campaig
n

1861

1867

The French
intervention in
Mexico

Mexican
empire
France
and others

1881

1899

Mahdist war

1892

1894

Belgo-Arab War

1895

1908

1914

1918

Batetela
Rebellions
World War1

10
May
1940

28 May
1940

British
Empire
Kingdom of
Italy
Congo Free
State
Ethiopian
Empire
Congo Free
State
Congo Free
State
Allies:
France
British
Empire
Russia
United
States
and others
France
British
Empire
Netherlands
Luxembour
g
Allies

The Battle of
Belgium
part of

World
war 2

1940

1945

World War 2

10

Netherland

the independence and

neutrality of Belgium

United
Mexican
States
United state
of America
Mahdist
Sudanese

French withdrawal,
republication victory

Zanzibari
slave traders
Batetela
people
Central
Power:
Germany
AustriaHungary
Ottoman
Empire
Bulgaria
Nazi
Germany

Congo Free State

victory
Congo Free State
victory
Allied Victory

Axis powers

Allied victory

Anglo-Egyptian
victory

Belgian surrender and

German occupation of
Belgium

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

1950

1953

The Korean War

1959

1962

1960

1966

Rwandan
Revolution
Congo Crisis

United
Nations
(UN
Resolution
84)

Katanga
South Kasai

North Korea
China
Soviet Union

Republic of
the Congo
(Leopoldville
)
United
Nations
(United
Nations
Operation in
the Congo)

Ceasefire

Independence of
Rwanda
Withdrawal of
Belgian Armed Forces

Debellation of

the state of
South Kasai in
1961
Debellation of

the State of
Katanga in
1963
New Belgian
intervention
Operation
Dragon Rouge
and Operation
Dragon Noire
in 1964

1990

1991

The Gulf War

1998

1999

The Kosovo War

2001

ongoin

War in

Coalition
forces
Kosovo
Liberation
Army
Albania
NATO
forces

Iraq

Coalition victory

Federal
Republic of
Yugoslavia

NATO victory

Afghanistan

Islamic

Fall of Taliban regime

11

United Nation
Interim
Administratio
n Mission in
Kosovo

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

2011

Afghanistan

2011 military
intervention in
Libya

United
States
ISAF
National
Transitional
Council
NATO
forces

Emirates of
Afghanistan

Ongoing Taliban
insurgency

Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya

Fall of Gaddafi
regime

BELGIUM IN WORLD WAR 1

The Germany forces cross the border of Belgium in 4, August, 1914. Its primary object
was Vise, followed by Liege. The battle of Liege, the first battle of World War 1 lasted
12 days. The First World War (1914-1918) had an intense impact on the history of
Belgium. Belgium was bankrupted and blown up. The war debts and the debts the
Netherland imposed on Belgium didnt help either. Many companies had lost everything
or had only kept what was stashed away in neutral nations. Belgium got a little money
from Germany and a little amount of lands, but had to find most of the money in own
pocket, or in Congo.

BELGIUM IN WORLD WAR 2

Belgium had been drawn into the war when the German armies marched into the country
in 1940. The Belgian Army tried unsuccessfully to stop the German they fought very
bravely for eighteen days all the way through Belgium, from the Albert Canal near the
German border to the North Sea and both suffered and inflicted heavy losses but, after
the Belgium capitulation on 27th May 1940, they were forced to surrender arms. The
Belgian king, Leopold, in his capacity as Head of State and Commander in Chief of
Belgium Army, had asked the Germans for a suspension of arms as he wished to spare
his people further bloodshed. The king was made a prisoner of war and the Belgian
Cabinet set up a government in exile in London and announced its resolve to continue
war at the side of the allies. At that time, many of Belgians ware deported to Nazi
12

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

Germany as forced laborers. There were a number of Russian evaders. Mostly soldiers
who, as prisoners of war, had been interned in Belgium, some in the outside the village
of Eisden.

2.7. Independence
Belgium is an independent country, is still quite young. Independence was declared in
1830. At this time, the various region of Belgium already had a rich history. The
different periods from the era have each contributed to the diversity, openness character
and strength of Belgium today. In Aug 1830, riots led to a winder uprising and calls for
Belgium to succeed from the Netherland. A London conference of major European
powers then recognized Belgium as independence.
The Independence Day of Belgium is celebrated of 21 July, the day the Belgium nation
attained its freedom after being controlled by Netherland in the year 1931. The
independence of Belgium received the approval of the European powers at the London
Conference of 1830-31. The independence day of Belgium commemorates the formal
establishment of the independent kingdom and the crowing of Leopold of Saxe-Coburg.
Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg was appointed king of the Belgians on his willingness to
support the constitution drawn up by the National Congress. After attaining its
independence and neutrality by the leading European powers, Belgium was the first
country in Europe to enjoy rapid economic growth through industrialization. The
country further led the continent in the expansion of railways, engineering and coal
mining.
In the last half century, independent Belgium prospered as modern, technologically
advanced state and also a member or NATO and the EU.
13

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

2.8. Belgium map

14

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

3. BELGIUM ON NATIONAL LEVEL

3.1. Trompenar
Individualism
Communitarianism

Specific Relationship

Diffuse Relationship
Universalism

Particularism
Neutral Relationship
Emotional Relationship

Ascription

X
15

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

Achievement

3.2.

Hofstede Model of Belgium

16

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

3.3. Income Level of Belgium

HIGH INCOME: OECD

GDP (current US$):

17

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

$508.1 billion 2013

Population Total:
11.20 million 2013
*Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

3.4. Class System

As far as classes go, the lower classes would generally be lower income Middle Eastern
and other Eastern European immigrants, which come and do the hard, thankless jobs
nobody who lives here wants to do.

3.5. Ethnicity
Two thousand years ago the population of Belgium, as mentioned by Julius Caesar in his
book on the Gallic wars, was of Celtic stock. This population was displaced or lost its
identity, however, during the great invasions that brought down the Roman Empire. The
Salian Franks, who settled there during the 4th century ad, are considered the ancestors
of Belgium's present population. The origin of the language frontier in Belgium has
never been satisfactorily explained. In the indigenous population, the ratio of Flemings
(Dutch speakers) to Walloons (French speakers) is about 5 to 3. In 2004, the Flemings
constituted about 58% of the total population; Walloons accounted for 31.7%. The
remaining 11% was comprised of those with mixed ancestry or other groups.

3.6. Events Took Place in Past Century

A chronology of key events:

1830 - Declaration of independence from Netherlands.

Continue reading the main story

Capital: Brussels
18

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

Pavement cafe in Brussels

Cafe society in Brussels, the bilingual capital

1477: Comes under Hapsburg control

1830: Becomes capital of newly-independent Belgium
Population: 134,000
1914-18 World War I - Germany invades. Belgian army holds position behind Yser
River until 1918.

1920 - Belgium abandons neutrality and signs military alliance with France.

1930 - Flanders and Wallonia legally become unilingual regions.

1940 - Germany invades Belgium and Holland. Belgian government evacuates to

London. King Leopold surrenders to German forces.

1944 - Allied Forces liberate Belgium.

1950 - Belgian electorate votes for Leopold's return, but after strikes and riots Leopold
appoints eldest son, Prince Baudouin, to temporarily rule in his place.

1951 - Baudouin officially assumes kingship.

1958 - Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg form Benelux Economic Union to

promote free movement of workers, goods and services in the region.

1960 - Belgian government grants independence to the Congo - now Democratic

Republic of Congo.

1962 - Independence for Ruanda-Urundi - now Rwanda and Burundi.

Federal government
1992 - Belgium ratifies Maastricht Treaty on European Union.

2002 September - Legislation decriminalizing euthanasia comes into force.

2003 January - Legislation commits Belgium to closing its seven nuclear reactors by
2025 and banning building of new ones. Government pledges to invest in renewable
energy sources and gas.

19

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

2003 June - US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld warns that Belgium's role as Nato
HQ could be in doubt unless legislation allowing Belgian courts to try foreigners for war
and human rights crimes is changed. Law had led to suits being filed against many very
high-profile international figures.

2003 July - Following elections in May, Liberals and Socialists agree to govern in
coalition with Verhofstadt as prime minister for a second term.

2003 August - Controversial legislation allowing Belgian courts to try foreigners for war
and human rights crimes dropped.

2004 June - Paedophile child killer Marc Dutroux sentenced to life for rape and murder
of several young girls. His conviction came eight years after his arrest and followed
complex investigations.

2004 July - Eighteen people die and over 100 are injured in gas explosion in industrial
zone south-west of Brussels.

2004 November - High court rules far-right Vlaams Blok racist and strips it of funding
and TV access rights, forcing it to disband. Party re-established under new name,
Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest).

2005 May - Federal parliament approves draft of EU constitution.

2005 October - Government plans to reform pensions prompt nationwide strike action.

2006 September - Police raid army barracks and soldiers' homes as part of an
investigation into the activities of extreme-right activists. A number of people are
arrested for allegedly planning attacks aimed at "destabilizing" Belgian institutions.

2007 June - Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt resigns after his ruling coalition suffers
losses in elections. He stays on in a caretaker role while talks are held on a new
coalition.

Power vacuum
2007 September - Belgium without a government for 100 days.

2007 December - Guy Verhofstadt reappointed as premier to head interim government.

2008 February - Main parties broker agreement which includes transfer of some minor
powers to the regions, paving way for return to political normality.
20

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

2008 March - New government headed by Yves Leterme is sworn in, ending nine
months of deadlock.

Continue reading the main story

Divided Belgium

Divide between Dutch north and French south has led to complex federal system

Federal government: foreign affairs, defense, justice, health, welfare

Language-based communities: education, culture
Regional governments: economic policy, labor, housing, environment, energy, transport
2008 July - Prime Minister Leterme offers to resign after failing to reach agreement on
power-sharing deal between Dutch- and French-speaking regions. King Albert II refuses
to accept his resignation.

Financial crisis
2008 September - Together with The Netherlands and Luxembourg, Belgium agrees to
inject funds into the ailing financial group, Fortis. Dutch operation later breaks away,
weakening the Fortis group.

Government announces agreement with France and Luxembourg to rescue embattled

Dexia bank, the world's biggest lender to local governments.

2008 October - Amid a worsening global financial crisis, Fortis financial group holdings
in Belgium and Luxembourg is rescued by French bank BNP Paribas, which buys 75
percent of the group's shares. The deal creates one of the continent's biggest savings
banks.

2008 December - Prime Minister Yves Leterme resigns amid a scandal over the rescue of
the Fortis bank.

2009 January - The lower house of parliament confirms Christian Democrat Herman Van
Rompuy as prime minister at the head of a coalition that was largely unchanged from his
predecessor Yves Leterme's.

2009 November - Mr Leterme returns for a second term of office as prime minister after
Mr Van Rompuy steps down to take up new post as President of the European Council.

21

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

2010 April - Government collapses after Flemish liberal Open VLD party quits fiveparty coalition in row over francophone voting rights in Flemish areas, triggering early
parliamentary elections in June.

2010 June - The separatist New Flemish Alliance becomes largest party after federal
parliamentary elections; French Socialist Party emerges as the winner in Wallonia.

2010 September - Belgium's Catholic Church is rocked by an official inquiry's finding

that widespread sexual abuse of children by priests took place over decades.

2011 April - Belgium reaches one year without a government, as deadlock in talks on
forming a new coalition continues.

2011 September - Caretaker Prime Minister Yves Leterme says he will step down to run
for a senior post at the OECD, sparking a fresh crisis in the long-running deadlock over
forming a new coalition.

Talks to form a new government achieve a breakthrough in reaching agreement on three

key sticking points, including the division of power between French and Dutch-speaking
communities.

2011 December - French-speaking Socialist leader Elio di Rupo appointed prime

minister at the head of a six-party coalition, ending 541 days without a government.

2012 October - The Flemish Nationalist Party (NVA) makes major gains at local
elections, becoming the largest political force in Flanders. Leader Bart De Wever
becomes mayor of Antwerp, Europe's second-largest port. The NVA calls for much
greater autonomy for Flanders.

2013 July - King Albert II abdicates in favor of his son Philippe.

2014 February - Parliament votes in favor of extending euthanasia law to terminally-ill

children.

4. CULTURAL LAYERS OF BELGIUM

4.1. INNER LAYER
1. Values
22

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

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.

2. Norms
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 neighbors.
Belgians take pride in their personal appearance too. They dress well and are
concerned with the impression they make on others.

4.2. OUTER LAYER

1. Language
Languages of Belgium are French, Dutch and German. Flemish used by more than
60% of the population, and is spoken in the northern part of the country. The
languages learned at school are French and Dutch. Brussels, the capital of Belgium,
has two official languages: French and Dutch.
2.

Dress
23

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

Men should wear dark colored, 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.

3.

Clothing

4.

Smocks and berets are extremely popular amongst the Belgian men.
School children also wore smocks.
Knee length pants were common among boys.
Women use to wear special type of gowns.
Women used to wear huntress dress at their wedding.
Eponym also wear by women in a romantic era.

Food
Asparagus is consider as a luxuries legacy. It is softer and sweeter.
Croquettes serve as a side dish and it is filled with creamy white sauce and
shrimps.
Steaks is also a specialty of Belgium food.
Belgian Chocolates are very famous

5. 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.

6. Festivals
Belgiums annual carnivals (carnivals), held in February and early March, are
original, colorful and boisterous in equal measure. One of the most renowned is
held in February at Binche, in Hainaut, when theres a procession involving
24

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

some 1500 extravagantly dressed dancers called Gilles. There are also carnivals
in Ostend and Aalst, and in Eupen, Most uniquely, there is Stavelots carnival,
where the streets are overtaken by so-called Blancs Moussis, townsfolk clothed
in white hooded costumes and equipped with long red noses.
Beer festival: There's no doubt that beer festivals are mushrooming across
Belgium. Just like music festivals, they seem to be sprouting up here, there and
everywhere over recent years. Check any Belgian Beer Weekend

7. Gift
If you are invited to a Belgian's house, bring flowers or good quality chocolates for

8.

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.

Dinning Etiquettes
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
Arrive on time. Punctuality demonstrates respect.
Wait for your host to tell you where to sit.
Women take their seats before men

9. Stereotypes
Eat French fries every day and explain to every tourist that it's actually "Belgian
fries"
Drink litres of beer every day
25

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

Hate the Dutch

Hate the Germans because they started the war (twice!)
Hate the Walloons if he's Flemish
Hate the Flemish if he's Walloon
Eat chocolate and waffles after the French fries

10. Infrastructure/Roads
Belgium has an excellent infrastructure of roads, waterways, ports, and airports.
The kingdom has 145,850 kilometers (90,631 miles) of roads that includes 117,701
kilometers (10,999 miles) of paved highways and 1,682 kilometers (1,045 miles) of
expressways. In 1997, some 395,505,000 tons of goods were transported across
Belgium's roads. The kingdom is the only nation in Western Europe that has an
average of 50 km (31 miles) of roadways for every 1,000 square kilometers (386
miles). Brussels is the heart of a dense highway network that extends beyond the
borders of the kingdom to major destinations such as Paris, Amsterdam, and
London (via the tunnel under the English Channel). There are 3,437 kilometers
(2,136 miles) of rail lines, the majority of which are electrified. In 1997, the
railways transported approximately 60,696,000 tons of products

11. Superstitions of Belgium

In Belgium, there are different beliefs according to the regions. According to old
superstitions from Wallonia, it is not recommended to sweep dirt out of your
home, because you could sweep luck. It is also said that sewing white linen with
black thread attracts death. Throwing out a cradle brings bad luck. In the past, it
was thought that if a child is born with this placenta on the head, he will be really
lucky in life. Picking poppies is said to attract lightning. But nothing more
interesting than this funny superstition : if your bum tickles it means that you will
soon eat pie. In Flanders, it is said that Boys who whistle, get a girl
with fortune. An old Flemish belief maintained that a sneeze during conversation
proved the truth of a remark. And according to an old tradition, one should place a
coin under once plate at New Years Eve to be lucky for the coming year.

26

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

12. Fashion and Trends

Belgian fashion is often praised for its unique balance between realism and
creativity. In the last 30 years the interest in and importance of fashion and design
in Belgium has increased greatly. Belgiums designers are associated with quality,
craftsmanship and innovation.
Historically speaking everything started off with cloth, Belgiums textile industry
has a long and rich history. Wool, linen and cotton were first produced in Belgium
in the Middle Ages and from the 11th century cities like Ghent, Bruges, and Ypres
had thriving cloth industries.

13. Years, Time Zones and Calenders

Time difference to GMT/UTC

Standard time zone:

UTC/GMT +1 hours

Holidays and Observances:

1 Jan

New Year's Day

29 May Ascension Day

1 Nov

18 Apr Good Friday

8 Jun

Whit Sunday

11 Nov Armistice Day

20 Apr Easter Day

9 Jun

Whit Monday

24 Dec Christmas Eve

21 Apr Easter Monday

21 Jul

Belgian National Day

25 Dec Christmas Day

1 May Labor Day / May Day

15 Aug Assumption of Mary

27

All Saints' Day

31 Dec New Year's Eve

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

Calendar for year 2014 (Belgium)

January
Mo Tu We
1
6 7 8
13 14 15
20 21 22
27 28 29
1:

Th
2
9
16
23
30

8:

Fr
3
10
17
24
31

February
Sa
4
11
18
25

16:

Su
5
12
19
26

March

Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1
3 4 5 6 7 8
10 11 12 13 14 15
17 18 19 20 21 22
24 25 26 27 28

24:

6:

15:

Su
2
9
16
23

22:

Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1
3 4 5 6 7 8
10 11 12 13 14 15
17 18 19 20 21 22
24 25 26 27 28 29
31
1:

8:

16:

30:

7:

We
2
9
16
23
30

Th
3
10
17
24

15:

May
Fr
4
11
18
25

Sa
5
12
19
26

22:

Su
6
13
20
27

29:

7:

July
Mo Tu
1
7 8
14 15
21 22
28 29
5:

We
2
9
16
23
30

Th
3
10
17
24
31

12:

Fr
4
11
18
25

Sa
5
12
19
26

19:

Th
2
9
16

June

Mo Tu We Th
1
5 6 7 8
12 13 14 15
19 20 21 22
26 27 28 29

Fr
2
9
16
23
30

14:

21:

Sa
3
10
17
24
31

Su
4
11
18
25

28:

Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30
5:

13:

August
Su
6
13
20
27

27:

October
Mo Tu We
1
6 7 8
13 14 15

24:

30:

April
Mo Tu
1
7 8
14 15
21 22
28 29

Su
2
9
16
23
30

Fr
3
10
17

Mo Tu We Th Fr
1
4 5 6 7 8
11 12 13 14 15
18 19 20 21 22
25 26 27 28 29
4:

10:

Su
5
12
19

Sa
2
9
16
23
30

17:

Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1
3 4 5 6 7 8
10 11 12 13 14 15
28

27:

September
Su
3
10
17
24
31
25:

Mo
1
8
15
22
29
2:

November
Sa
4
11
18

19:

Tu
2
9
16
23
30

We
3
10
17
24

9:

Th
4
11
18
25

Fr
5
12
19
26

Sa
6
13
20
27

16:

Su
7
14
21
28

24:

December
Su
2
9
16

Mo
1
8
15

Tu
2
9
16

We
3
10
17

Th
4
11
18

Fr
5
12
19

Sa
6
13
20

Su
7
14
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20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
1:

8:

15:

23:

17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
6:

14:

22:

29:

22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31
6:

14:

22:

28:

31:

14. Handshakes/ Body and Non Verbal Communication in General

To point with your index finger is considered impolite.
When you meet a good friend in Belgium, you would greet them with a kiss. This
would be done by brushing your lips against the other person's check three times
in a row...one cheek, the other cheek, and then back again to the first cheek.
When you are talking with someone, do not place your hand or hands in your
pockets. This is considered rude.
To slap someone on the back or to be
noisy are both very rude gestures in
Belgium.
It is poor manners to put your feet on a
table or chair. Also, do not try to yawn,
blow your nose, sneeze, or scratch
yourself in the presence of others.
Using a toothpick is also frowned upon
when you are with company.

15.

Tourism
Belgium fires one's imagination. Tourists from all over the world are attracted to
Belgium and its cosmopolitan capital, Brussels. It is no surprise then, that
Belgium has a lot to offer the foreign tourist. Belgium means holidays in many
forms. You will be able to briefly escape the daily grind, with a weekend in a
Belgian city, but you can also plan a true voyage of discovery throughout
Belgium.

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Two of the big tourist attractions in Belgium are the Ardennes and the coast.
Then you will undoubtedly want to go to the Ardennes, Belgium's lungs. Then
there is the lure of the Coast.
Those with a craving for art and culture or architectural beauty, will be pampered
in our cities of art. Those who would like a taste of our gastronomy, cultural
events and nightlife, will have their every wish satisfied. As a result, the many
cities of art - with Brussels at the top - are able to depend on an ever-increasing
interest from tourists.

16. Famous Authors/People/Books

Famous Authors
Georges Simenon, writer
Georges Remi (Herge), the creator of TinTin
Emile Leon Cammaerts, poet
Hugo Claus, poet, dramatist, novelist and film writer
Julio Cortzar, writer
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Michel de Ghelderode, dramatist

Henri Pirenne, historian, well-known for his Pirenne Thesis
May Eleanor Sarton, poet and novelist

Famous People
Pierre Deligne, Fields Medal mathematician
Ernest Solvay (1838-1922), chemist and industrialist who established the world's
first plant for making soda.
Leopold I (1790-1865), first King of the Belgians and Duke of Saxe-CoburgGotha. He was the uncle of both Queen Victoria of England and her Consort
Albert

Famous Books
The lady and unicorn
The shooting stars
Land of black gold

4.3. CENTRAL/ CORE LAYER

1. Religion
Christianity, in particular Catholicism, is the largest religion in Belgium with about 57%
of the population adhering to the Catholic Church, 1.7% to Protestantism, and 0.3%
to Orthodox Christian Churches in the 2000s.

2. Behavior
All Belgians shake hands with everyone in the room or office both on arrival and on
departure. French-speakers may kiss or embrace closer acquaintances. A light, brief
shake is sufficient, but it is important to maintain steady eye contact and never look
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away as you are shaking hands. Men should be sure to stand when meeting and greeting
a woman and should wait for women to extend their hands first.

3. Tradition
In fact this is one of the Belgium traditions that have been exported to many other
countries the world over. Santa Claus comes from this old Belgian feast. After Christmas
comes New Year. It wouldn't be another of the Belgium traditions if there wasn't an
abundance of food and drink. At midnight there is champagne and fireworks
everywhere. More dates with special feasts are: January 6th, which is the celebration of
the Three Wise Men, Easter, Carnival (beginning of spring), not forgetting the many
folkloristic and historic celebrations and festivals in every town and city of the country.

4. Family
Belgians create close extended families.

4.4. SUBCULTURES
1. Religion
Roman 75%, protestant and other 25%

2. Association
Belgium was either a part of a larger territory, such as the Carolingian Empire, or
divided into a number of smaller states, prominent among them being the Duchy of
Brabant, the County of Flanders, the Prince-Bishopric of Lige and Luxembourg. Due to
its strategic location and the many armies fighting on its soil, Belgium since the Thirty
Years' War (1618-1648) has often been called the "battlefield of Europe" or the
"cockpit of Europe".[1] It is also remarkable as a European nation which contains, and is
divided by, a language boundary between Latin-derived French, and Germanic Dutch.
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3. Education
Education in Belgium is regulated and for the larger part financed by one of the
three communities: Flemish, French and German-speaking. All three communities have
a unified school system with small differences from one community to another. The
federal government plays a very small role: it decides directly the age for mandatory
schooling and indirectly the financing of the communities

4. Health
Healthcare in Belgium is sponsored by competing mutual health associations and
provided by a mixture of public and non-profit hospitals. The government pays each
mutual health association depending upon the number of registered members.

5. Economy
Gross domestic product in Belgium, the sixth-largest economy in the currency bloc, rose
0.4 percent in the fourth quarter from the prior three months, the biggest increase since
the beginning of 2011. The euro area is showing more and more positive signals as the
economy grows after the longest recession since the debut of the euro.

6. Recreation
Cycling is a popular recreational activity and competitive sport in Belgium. The
countrys relatively flat terrain is well-suited to cycling, and trails and tracks abound.
Hiking, fishing, and canoeing are popular in the Ardennes Belgiums national sport is
soccer, and its team is called the Diables Rouges (Red Devils). Tennis gained in
popularity as two Belgian women players.

7. Politics
Politics of Belgium takes place in a framework of
a federal, parliamentary, representative democratic, constitutional monarchy, whereby
the King of the Belgians is the Head of State and the Prime Minister of Belgium is
the head of government in a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the
government. Federal legislative power is vested in both the government and the two
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chambers of parliament, the Senate and the Chamber of Representatives.

The federation is made up of (cultural/political) communities and (territorial) regions.

5. BELGIUM BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

5.1

Introduction

Attitudes and values form the basis of any culture. They reflect both the way people
think and the way they behave. Their knowledge can therefore be of significant
importance if you wish to communicate with your counterparts effectively. Ignorance of
these issues can result in a cultural barrier that may inhibit the communication process
and have an adverse effect on the success of your activities in a given country.

1.Time, Punctuality and Discipline

Belgians are generally good timekeepers, although the Flemish Belgians tend to be more
meticulous than the Walloons. Punctuality in business is generally regarded as a virtue,
although apologies for a late arrival will be accepted good-naturedly.

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2. Punctuality Alerts
Best policy is to take an appointment at least one week in advance. If the company has
scheduled your appointment for 11:30 am, consider it a meeting over lunch.
Punctuality is to be maintained at all times. Generally, the first meeting does not revolve
around business too much. It is more important for Belgians to know the kind of person
you are before getting into any business tie-ups. Expect your first appointment to be
social.

3. Gift Giving
Gift giving is not normally an aspect of business relations in Belgium. If you decide that
some sort of gesture is appropriate, for example on closing a deal, make the gift a
reasonably modest one and make sure it is logo neutral. Nothing should be given with
the company logo, or with your business card attached.
If you are offered a gift, open it right away and show your appreciation. Many of the
more traditional Belgian companies offer end-of-year gifts and these should be
acknowledged.

4.Business Dress Code

It is normal to wear a jacket, not necessarily a suit, in most Belgian organizations,
although the younger high-tech companies may happily tolerate an open-neck shirt and
jeans.
Color has no particular significance, though it may be preferable to avoid looking too
jazzy. The quality of clothing is of only marginal importance in a culture that shows
relatively little class-consciousness. Apart from making sure that your shoes are
reasonably smart and well-polished, it is enough to avoid looking grubby.
Women, the younger generation in particular, may wear trousers, particularly trouser
suits. When in doubt about the dress code for a particular business event, it is advisable
to be well dressed rather than under-dressed. Uniforms, except for hygiene workers and
chefs etc., are rarely worn.
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If unsure of the dress code and what to wear, it is perfectly acceptable to ask someone
from the company you are visiting. Although Belgium has one of the highest average
annual rainfalls in Western Europe, the weather is rarely a major problem. A raincoat is
normally sufficient without the addition of an umbrella.

5.

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.
Always dress conservative and formal: dark business suits with white shirts and silk ties
for men, business suits or conservative dresses for women. Belgians take pride in the
way they dress as it shows professional status.

5.2 Context Communication

1. Relationships & Communication
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
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can be certain that they have considered all the alternatives.

They believe it is rude to be confrontational.

2. Meeting/Gathering/Discussions.
Meetings are a normal feature of the Belgian business scene, either face-to-face or, with
the predominance of international activities and the emergence of virtual teams, over the
telecom/Internet network. They vary in their nature and content, but are a very common
part of organizational life.
Increasingly, meetings are team-oriented, with or without the participation of senior
management. Project team meetings may be planned at short notice and often go on
longer than the participants really want. It may be necessary to plan ahead when
arranging meetings with senior executives, as agendas tend to be booked up some time
in advance.
If you are planning a sales visit to propose a product or service that you represent, be
sure to make arrangements well in advance. You may be able to arrange a meeting over
lunch, particularly if you are arriving and leaving the same day.
If formal presentations are planned, then the venue of meetings, who needs to attend,
and any required equipment, (e.g. PowerPoint or overhead projector), need to be
arrangedin advance. Plan to keep to time, even if the meeting overruns, and try to leave
with a firm conclusion. You may wish to submit draft minutes or a memorandum of
understanding later.
Internet and video conferencing and conference calls are a regular event these days.
Belgian executives generally prefer face-to-face contact, but are rapidly adapting to the
new technologies.

5.3

Meeting Protocol

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Start by shaking hands, saying something like good day a pleasure to meet you, and
presenting your business card to all involved: this may take a few minutes to conclude
but is time well invested.
You should refrain from too vigorous a handshake or physical contact such as
backslapping. Smiling suggests positive intentions but, again, should not be overdone.

5.4

Making Contact

A handshake is the usual form of greeting in Belgium, accompanied by an appropriate

phrase like good day. In a social as opposed to a business setting, women and people of
the opposite sex may also kiss generally three times starting with the right cheek (the
left cheek from the point of view of the person kissing): Walloon men may also kiss one
another if they are old friends. When meeting someone for the first time, the Flemish and
German speakers are likely to be more reserved than the Walloons. French speakers in
the Brussels region may also be relatively formal.
Normally, welcomes and responses will be warm without being overly intimate. In
business meetings, it is customary for a new arrival to go round the room shaking all the
participants by the hand.
The intimate zone of most Belgians tends to be in the region of 50 cm. When meeting
for the first time, ensure steady eye contact when listening. Avoid intense eye contact as
this may be felt to be invasive.

5.5

Communication and Negotiation Styles

Successful cross cultural communication will take into account the high regard Belgians
place on manners. Regardless of how you are introduced, you must always be polite and
well-mannered. This includes shaking hands with everyone you meet, including
administrative staff, but men should wait for a woman to extend her hand.

5.6

Business Meeting Etiquettes

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Appointments are necessary.

The person you are meeting will generally set the time for the meeting, usually midmorning 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.

1. Importance of Business Meeting

It is good practice in Belgium to make an appointment at least a few days in advance:
once the timing has been agreed there is no need to check or reconfirm. If you later have
a conflict of priorities, explain the situation to your Belgian partner and he or she will
certainly understand and make an alternative arrangement.

2. Business Meeting Planning

Being pragmatic and relatively non-hierarchical people compared with some other
European cultures, many Belgian managers can be approached directly for an
appointment: this certainly applies in the SME sector, where the younger generation of
managers has abandoned the autocratic style of its predecessors. Only occasionally will
you find yourself dealing with a secretary or personal assistant.
If confirmation is necessary, this can be done by e-mail. Normally, agendas for the
meeting will not be exchanged in advance
Punctuality is generally appreciated in Belgium and meetings will not normally be
allowed to run on too long. In the case of social events, plan to arrive 5-10 minutes after
the time indicated on the invitation.
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Accessibility to meeting venues should not normally be a problem. The transport

infrastructure in the main cities is generally excellent and taxi services are regulated.

3. 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. It is recommended to translate business cards into French and/or Dutch.

4. Business Communication
The following section focuses on the communication aspects of business practice. Issues
such as verbal and non-verbal communication are discussed with an accent on normative
business etiquette. Also included, is information about general Belgian working practices
and habits that may be relevant for business negotiations.
Miscommunication during a business encounter may have serious consequences on the
success of the deal. Whereas we may not find any problems when communicating with
our business partner in our mother country, this situation may rapidly change when
negotiating business abroad. In a foreign country you will usually come across people
from different backgrounds and thus their style of communication will also differ.
Without awareness of this issue you may experience culture shock when dealing with
your business partners, cause yourself embarrassment and consequently make your
counterpart uncomfortable.

5. Decision Making
Belgians are accustomed to centralized decision-making based upon information that has
been gathered by all concerned parties. Supervisors and managers make most decisions
for their work group, even ones that would be implemented by subordinates in other
cultures. When managers delegate their authority, they provide explicit details about
what is to be done and how it is to be accomplished.
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Since decision-making occurs at the highest levels and each reviewing level is expected
to verify that the matter has been researched thoroughly and that all interested parties
have been consulted, decision-making can be a time-consuming and laborious process.
For cross cultural management to be successful, patience will be needed.
In Flanders (Dutch speaking part of Belgium), decisions are group or consensus focused.
In Wallonia (French speaking part of Belgium), business is more hierarchical and the
top-ranking person at the meeting makes decisions. The Flemish-speaking businesses
tend to be more egalitarian.

6. Negotiation Process
The general Belgian attitude to negotiation is exploratory and initially non-committal,
using the problem-solving approach and attempting to build bridges between divergent
interests. Your counterparts will be receptive to your ideas provided they make basic
sense.
The desire to find an arrangement that is satisfactory to both sides can encourage the
Belgians to develop creative solutions that are unconventional but which serve their
purpose

5.7 Stereotypical Image

Some examples of stereotypes of Belgium are:

Belgian people are stupid

Belgium is a chips/French fries country
Belgian people drink a lot of beer
Belgians are born with a brick in their belly
Belgium is the land of child-kidnappers and

Belgians evade taxes and do all things in black

It always rains in Belgium

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Brussels is the capital of Belgium

5.8

GESTURES

Do not snap fingers as it is considered a vulgar

gesture.
Talking with your one hand in your trouser pocket is
rude.
Never point your index finger at anyone.
Always maintain an arms length distance when
talking to another person.
Above all, avoid gesturing! Its better to appear
formal and restrained.

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