Belgium: Public Behaviour - Part 1

From ExecutivePlanet.com

Acceptable public conduct

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.

As a visitor you should make a point of shaking hands with everyone, including administrative staff. A light, brief shake is sufficient, but it is important to maintain steady eye contact and never look 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. So as to avoid any potential embarrassment, you should never presume to copy a Belgian's example in kissing or embracing a counterpart until you are very sure of your ground.

When conversing with another person, you should always allow an arm's length of personal space. Talking with your hands in your pockets is perceived as a sign of bad manners. And you should try to avoid gesturing even if you find it hard to maintain this façade of appearing formal and restrained. Good posture is considered very important at all times.

Belgians are not fussy people but they do expect a certain standard of decorous behaviour:

Cracking the fingers of both hands is perceived as vulgar, even obscene;

Patting someone on the back is not acceptable;

Yawning in public is considered rude;

Using toothpicks in public is socially unacceptable;

Using just the forefinger to point at something is considered rude [you should use your whole hand];

Chewing gum is perceived as vulgar;

Blowing your nose in public is also considered unacceptable.

When staying in a Belgian hotel, you may be asked to leave your passport at the front desk while the necessary paperwork is completed. If you will need to use your passport, you should inform the receptionist. Also Belgian hotels often insist that you leave your room key at the front desk each time you leave.

Taxis, bars, restaurants etc. include a service charge in the bill. It is, however, standard practice to round up the bill and to reward exceptional service with an additional tip [up to 10%].

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