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Customs of Belgium
Marriage and Family
Long marriage engagements are common, as is living together before or instead of marriage. Only civil marriages are legal, but many couples also have a religious ceremony.
The average Belgian family has two children. Both parents often work outside the home. At home, they may share some household duties, but women are still generally considered responsible for many of them and for child care. Married children in
Eating
Belgians eat a rich variety of foods, including pork, beef, game birds, fish, seafood, cheese, fruit, vegetables, bread, and soup. Wine, beer, or mineral water is often served with meals.
Mealtimes in
Socializing
Belgians greet each other with a handshake. The phrases used for greeting depend on the region. The most typical Dutch greetings are Hallo (“Hello”) and a more formal Goedendag (“Good day”). The French equivalents are Salut (“Hello”) and Bonjour (“Good day”). English greetings would not be out of place in
Belgians enjoy inviting relatives and close friends to their homes, but other socializing is usually done in public places such as cafés, bistros, and restaurants. It is rare for Belgians to visit one another without prior arrangement or at least calling ahead. Invited guests always bring a small gift to their hosts. Punctuality is important.
Recreation
Cycling and football (soccer) are the most popular sports, and many people enjoy watching basketball, volleyball, tennis, and car racing. Hunting (a controversial pursuit) and fishing, as well as pigeon racing, have a large following in some areas. In pigeon racing, male pigeons are released far away from the females, and owners bet on which will be the quickest to fly back to his mate. Families enjoy going to restaurants, the theater, and the cinema. Belgians also enjoy outings to the beach or to the forest of the
Holidays and Celebrations
Official holidays include New Year’s Day (1 January), Labor Day (1 May), Independence Day (21 July), Assumption (15 August), All Saints’ Day (1 November), Armistice Day (11 November), Dynasty Day (15 November), and Christmas Day (25 December). Easter Monday, Ascension Day, and Whitmonday are also observed. On Christmas Day, the crèche is traditionally rendered by shop owners in the material in which they do business—in dough at a bakery, for example, or in tools at a hardware store. Then the crèche is put in the window for all to admire.
Unofficial holidays include Sint Maartens Dag (“
Festivals play an important part in Belgian life. One of the most famous is the three-day celebration of Carnival at Binche, near
Source: Encarta Interactive World Atlas