20+ Examples capable of proving that Belgians live according to their own style

Many associate Belgium with chocolate, beer and the “boy peeing” statue, the Manneken Pis🇧🇷 Some are impressed by the country’s diversity and the hospitality of its inhabitants. Others, however, say that Belgium’s quality of life is overrated.

we, from awesome.club, we “dive” into everyday life in Belgium and take into account the highlights of everyday life and some customs and traditions of this European country that are hard to find in travel brochures and websites. Also, at the end of the post, we will show you a picture with a charming atmosphere of the Belgian streets.

The temperature inside the houses never goes above 15ºC. As a way of ensuring heating, Belgians use thermal sheets and blankets. Also, it’s easy to find a Belgian wearing sneakers and light jackets in the cold. And it’s hard to find parents who overdo their children’s clothes; on the contrary, children tend to wear light clothes, regardless of the temperature outside.

This aspect usually frightens tourists: “It was cold. I was in my jacket in the schoolyard watching the students. One girl was wearing a t-shirt while another was wearing a jacket, but wearing sandals.”

In Belgium, people often buy non-alcoholic beer and chips for their pets. Especially for the furry ones, a SPA was opened where they can bathe in thermal water, train or shop.

Owners admit: “Dogs have a more than comfortable life. It is rare to find mutts on the streets of our country. Even when a dog is lost, it is quickly recovered, transferred to a shelter and then adopted. The people here live happily, that’s why they’re so kind. To adopt a dog, it is necessary to pay around 120 euros (or 750 reais)”.

The city of Ghent has instituted Vegetarian Thursday. All farms, schools and public institutions serve dishes without ingredients of animal origin. In addition, cafes and restaurants serve food according to a menu designed especially for that day. Cities like Hasselt, Mechelen, Eupen and Brussels also follow suit. According to studies, 43% of Belgians have reduced their meat consumption thanks to the vegetarian farm.

In Belgium, whatever the job, it will be valued — from janitor to bank director. Belgians respect workers and do not look favorably on the unemployed. Maria, a Russian who moved to Belgium, shared her experience: “Working as a plumber eight hours a day, five days a week, you will earn a salary roughly equivalent to that of a small business director. I like that. Here, each person is a personality and each profession is valued”.

There is a time limit for a vehicle to be parked in downtown areas. In residential neighborhoods, the situation is more relaxed, but every parking space is valuable. In the photos above, we show one of the most common ways to reserve a spot.

Belgium is one of those countries where it snows infrequently. However, there is a law that forbids the inhabitants of the Flanders region, in the north of the country, to make wars with snowballs. Seven years ago, the government declared that snowballs endanger people’s physical integrity, as do stones, when they are thrown.

In 2016, Belgium became the first country with a beer culture officially recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. The country produces approximately 1,500 types of this drink and has about 300 factories, whose underground pipes run through entire cities.

“Belgians waiting for the weather to improve”

The country records an average of 200 days of rain per year, with cloudy skies and fog. The sea water remains cold even in summer, making it unpleasant for swimming. But residents are already used to it: “The lack of sun and heat bothers us, but on the other hand, we don’t face extreme cold and heavy snowfall in winter. We also don’t need to use snow tires. Among the full range of fur-lined shoes for harsh winters, we only have UGG boots.”

Here, almost all establishments close from 5 pm or 6 pm (including malls, pharmacies, laundries, markets, banks, post offices, etc.). Everyone has Sundays off.

This schedule confuses those who have recently moved to Belgium: “It took me two months to get used to it. The only markets that stay open after the established hours are the Arab ones. If you need something urgently, you’ll have to travel across town and pay twice as much.” “When I heard my friends talking about opening hours of Belgian markets and shops for the first time, I thought they were ‘getting on my face’. But no one was laughing. I refused to accept. Normally, to sell well, you need to meet customer demands. But closing the establishment at the most convenient time for the customer to make a purchase or request a service seems absurd. I’ve lived here for two months, but I still haven’t gotten used to it!” © nevolova / livejournal

Letting a woman pass in front, holding the door for her or giving up your seat to a pregnant woman on public transport are gestures rarely seen in Belgium. Women carrying heavy bags in the company of men surprise no one. Splitting the account at the restaurant is commonly accepted. All this is due to the feminist movement, which fights for equality between men and women and thrives in the country.

Belgians stick stickers like the one shown above on the front door or window in case of fire. The sticker reads: “Firefighters, save our animals: dog(s), cat(s), bird(s), other (write)”. It’s a small gesture, but very important.

The waste recycling process is a serious matter in the country. The collection service has the right to search any trash can and fine residents for a piece of paper thrown into the food waste bag, for example. Belgians usually accumulate and store garbage bags at home and then leave them outside on designated days.

“All the residents of the house where I lived kept their garbage on their porches. I would leave a plastic box there with a sealed organic waste bag inside. Sometimes in the summer I had to choose between opening the balcony door and smelling the garbage or leaving the door closed and enduring the heat,” says a Russian journalist currently working in Belgium.

Applying hypnosis techniques during childbirth is officially allowed and is included in many health insurance plans. When labor begins, doctors may suggest that the expectant mother undergo hypnosis. The process is performed by trained midwives.

If you come across a drawbridge blocking your way during a boat ride, be ready to make a call. One tourist said: “You can call the person in charge whose number is written on the sign near the bridge. He will arrive well-groomed on a bicycle and press a button to lift it.”

The breeding and sale of insects for commercial purposes is officially permitted. The country follows the UN recommendations indicating insects as an alternative to meat and fish. Once a week, in some schools and universities special dishes are served — ant cakes or beetle burgers that often do not surprise the locals.

Belgian men don’t usually shade women. They are usually blunt and don’t worry about the risk of their speech sounding offensive.

A Russian woman shared her experience: “I met a Belgian. We talked every day. The man was wealthy, courteous, considerate, and patient. Anyway, I fell in love, and that feeling seemed to be mutual. He even intended to hire me for his company and we were both in the middle of paperwork when he suddenly disappeared. Finally, I understood the reason for such an attitude. It turns out that he and his parents had watched a program ‘unmasking’ Russian women, that is, telling about how Russian women take advantage of foreigners. His parents objected to our relationship and convinced him that I was after his fortune. Since then, he has not spoken to me again.”

If you decide to stop by a Belgian, arrange your meeting in advance (it is recommended to schedule a visit two weeks in advance). It is also necessary to define what type of meeting you want to have: a chat or a serious conversation over breakfast. Generally, casual conversation does not presuppose an invitation to dinner. The guest must accept any drink offered by the host, but ordering a drink or food may mean disrespecting the host. It is worth mentioning that Belgians often meet in cafes rather than meeting at home, even with close friends.

One of the oldest hospitals in Belgium feels like “a city within a city”. Its size is impressive. The hospital has a school, a bank, a cafe, markets, shops and even a police station. For people to orient themselves, there are a number of signs and maps. After passing the registration desk, don’t be surprised to hear: “Follow the red arrow. She will take you to your doctor.” If you don’t pay attention to this information, you risk getting lost.

The Queen and King of Belgium riding their bikes

Most Belgians do not tolerate people who flaunt it, whether through expensive clothes, fancy cars, overly fancy houses or even everyday behavior. Most belong to the middle class and the limit of…