It is often said that Belgium is not a country, but a compromise. Belgium was created in 1830 when the Catholic provinces of the Low Countries that had achieved independence from Spain in the seventeenth century broke away from the Calvinist north. Basically Belgium is two nations—a Flemish-speaking one in the north and a French-speaking one in the south. The two groups do not like each other, particularly since the balance of power is currently passing from the formerly mine-rich French speakers (Walloons) to the nouveaux riches and numerically superior Flemish, who are developing the hinterland of Antwerp, Europe’s second largest port. To complicate matters further, the city of Brussels is a predominantly French-speaking enclave in Flanders, and a German-speaking minority lives along the German border. In Brussels rival linguistic groups occasionally take down street signs in the offending language in the middle of the night.
Political compromise has been reached by the appointment of three prime ministers—Walloon, Flemish and Belgian. Parochial squabbles are numerous, but bad tempers rarely escalate into violence. With 66 ministers in the government and political divisions along linguistic lines, you can easily envisage the Belgian capital as a bureaucratic nightmare. As if this were not enough, Brussels has also been appointed the effective capital of Europe; 25 percent of its residents are well-paid bureaucrats from other countries.
Most Belgians are friendly, hard-working people characterized by an absence of dogma and strong opinions and an earnest desire to earn good money with the minimum of fuss. The Belgians worked hard to realize a Franco-German dream—the union of Europe—and their Europeanization may have contributed to their relative facelessness compared to other nationalities.
Yet Belgium, in spite of her smallness, has the 19th biggest economy in the world, ahead of such countries as Sweden, Austria, Turkey, Denmark and South Africa, not to mention Asian tigers such as Hong Kong and Singapore. Belgium’s output almost equals that of exporting powerhouse Taiwan, which has twice her population. In GDP per capita, Belgium also ranks 21st in the world.
An industrial Mighty Mouse, Belgium is hard to evaluate in terms of its cultural influence on Europe and the rest of the world. The impact of its biculturalism is diminished by the fact that the intense rivalry tends to neutralize the effect of both sides. There is no such thing as a single Belgian national cultural profile.
conservative | royalist |
European-oriented | nonchauvinist |
intellectual humility | common sense |
avoidance of dogmatism | flexibility |
compromise | avoidance of confrontation |
Contrasting Flemish and Walloon values can be described as follows:
Flemish | Walloon |
egalitarian | authoritarian |
consensual decision making | autocratic decisions |
approachable bosses | large power distance |
delegation of responsibility | little delegation of power |
relaxed relationships | vertical structure |
few status symbols | status symbols important |
dislike speaking French | French speakers |
upwardly mobile | conscious of rank |
Flemish | Walloon |
Bosses are relaxed and low-key. Responsibility is delegated downward to a considerable degree. | Leadership is exercised in a manner close to that of the French, where all final decisions rest with the boss. |
Titles, perks and other status symbols are less important than salary. Authority is normally based on competence. | Rank is important and is demonstrated by car, office space, carpets, job title, furniture and parking space. |
Punctuality is considered normal. Time should not be wasted | Walloons consider themselves more punctual than the French. |
Make it clear that you know that Flemings are not Dutch and that Walloons are not French. The main difference between the two groups is the question of consensual decision making versus hierarchical style, so you should adjust your approach accordingly.
Belgians of both persuasions will be looking for certain qualities in you: pragmatism, profit-mindedness, flexibility, willingness to compromise and the ability to respect the integrity and creativeness of a small country. Belgians are very European and assume that you share some of their enthusiasm for Europe (if you are in the EU).
Motivating Factors
Show a certain amount of conservatism with both Flemings and Walloons.
Show you know how to achieve solutions through compromise.
Adopt a gradualist approach to problems in general.
Demonstrate intellectual humility.
In most situations resolve things through common sense.
Show flexibility if deadlock threatens.
Be enthusiastic about Europe (Belgians need it).
Acknowledge Belgium’s economic achievements in spite of her small size.
Avoid
Too much dogma.
Criticizing the monarchy.
Direct confrontation.
Discussion of politics (it is complicated).
Any sign of temper.
Being over-opinionated.
Discussion of religious or language issues.