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Career Abroad is the ideal guide to facts on work culture abroad.

Do's and don'ts on etiquette, work ethics and conversational pleasantries, find them all here.

BELGIUM

GREETINGS

• The order of names is the same as in America, with the first name followed by surname.
• First names are generally reserved for close friends.
• You must keep in mind that there are three linguistic groups in Belgium; German, French and Flemish. The Flemish language is a variant of Dutch.
• While speaking to a French speaker, use courtesy titles such as Monsieur, Madame or Mademoiselle.
• When it comes to a German or a Flemish speaker, use Mr, Mrs, Ms and Miss.
• However, never use Madame or Monsieur when addressing a Flemish speaker.
• It is customary to shake hands with everyone present in a room upon meeting and leaving.
• Among friends, Belgians touch cheeks and kiss the air three times, on alternate cheeks.

PUNCTUALITY ALERTS!

The 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.

BUSINESS HOURS

ESTABLISHMENTS                  WEEKDAYS                              TIME
Government Offices            Monday-Friday     8:30am to 12 am and 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Banks                               Monday-Friday     9:00am to 12 am and 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Private Companies              Monday-Friday     8:30 am to 6:00pm
Shops and stores                 Monday-Friday     9:00am to 7:00pm

BEST TIME FOR BUSINESS TRIPS

You are welcome the whole year round, although it is preferable to avoid certain times in the year. For Belgians summer vacations are between July to August, try and avoid any business trip around that time. The period between 20 December and 6 January is taken up by Christmas and New Year celebrations. The week before and after the Easters and of course official holidays.

OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS for 2001

CONVERSATION WITH BELGIANS

First and foremost, be sure to speak in a low, moderate tone, regardless of the topic in discussion. Too much excitement in your voice can be frowned upon.

Suggested topics of conversation;
• Your travels around Belgium
• Sports, especially bicycling and soccer
• Praising the food and beer you have sampled during your stay.

Avoid -
• Politics
• Various languages spoken in Belgium. Do a bit of reading on that if you have to.
• Cracking jokes about the Flemings to Waloons and vice-versa.

BELGIAN DRESSING

Belgians prefer to dress conservatively. Men are expected to wear suits and ties. Business suits and dresses are the standard attire for woman. In the Belgian culture, slip on shoes such as loafers are not considered appropriate for men. Make sure to polish your shoe to the highest gloss (talking to all the men out there!!). When invited to someone’s home, you don’t have to dress as formally. For example, a man can wear a sport coat with a shirt, tie and trousers. The ladies can wear a top and a pair of trousers. However, Belgians traditionally dress in their best on Sundays.

BUSINESS ATTITUDE

• There are a few things you must keep in mind before negotiating;
• Exchanging business cards, it is a standard protocol.
• It is recommended that you have your business card in two languages. One side should be in English and the other in French or Flemish, depending on the main language of your business travel region.
• Belgians are keenly aware of their status in the corporate hierarchy.
• They respect privacy; knock and wait for an answer and keep doors closed in the office.
• Meetings usually start with some preliminary ‘small talk’ before getting down to business.
• Avoid personal subjects like ‘what do you do?’ It’s considered inappropriate in Belgium.
• Try to remain modest about your accomplishments; self-aggrandisement is not appreciated in their culture.
• The predominant cultures in Belgium are French, Dutch and German. Studying these cultures can be beneficial to a business traveller.
• Belgium’s cultural and linguistic divisions are sensitive subjects. You must not confuse the three cultural groups.
• When conducting a meeting, its agenda should be distributed to everyone in attendance.
• Belgian business people prize mutual trust.
• Be sure to promptly reply to any request from a Belgian office.
• Decision-making differs from region to region. When doing business with Flanders, a collective response is welcomed whereas in Wallonia the highest person in authority takes the final call.

BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT

• Lunch is the most popular time for business meals.
• Belgian dinner hour begin at 7:30pm or later.
• Before meeting in a conference room or restaurant your host tells you where to sit.
• If your shoes are dirty, it is only too polite to remove them before entering a room.
• Don’t drink until the toast is made. If your host stands when proposing a toast, you should do the same.
• Among the Flemish, glasses are raised twice during a toast. First you raise glasses during the verbal toast and then you proceed to raise the glass again, after which you take your first sip.
• During a meal, do not put your hands under the table, its considered bad manners.
• Belgium’s most famous culinary items are mussels, chocolates, waffles, three hundred types of beers and French fries. Be sure to compliment their food.
• If the maitre d’ has been especially helpful, give him a 50 to 100BF tip.
• Hotel shuttle drivers receive a minimum of 15 percent of what it would have cost you if you would have taken a taxi to the hotel.
• Hotel, railway porters and chambermaids receive a tip of 25 to 50BF.
• Cloakroom attendants receive 50 to 100 BF per coat.
• Washroom attendants receive 10 to 20 BF.

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 arm’s length distance when talking to another person.
• Above all, avoid gesturing! Its better to appear formal and restrained.

GIFT-GIVING

Gift giving is not an integral part of Belgian business culture. If you still wish to give one, do not include your business card with it and do not give anything that has your company logo on it. If an invitation is extended to you at a Belgian home, bring flowers and chocolates for the hostess. Do not bring chrysanthemums, which are evocative of death or thirteen of any flower. Red roses are kept only for romantic occasions. Any gift should be presented before a meal. When you are presented with a gift, open it in front of the giver and express your gratitude.

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