Many of the people who don’t vote in local elections are political obsessives who fret about the EU’s democratic deficit. But the turn a blind eye to Brussels’ democratic deficit.
Becoming Belgian is one thing; being Belgian is much more difficult. Is there such thing as a "real Belgian" and can you measure Belgian-ness?
"If you’re bored of Belgium you’re bored of life. Few countries pack so much culture, history, fine food, world-class cities and endearing weirdness into such a small place."
"Short-hop travel gives you the satisfaction of knowing your tiny patch of the planet intimately and in-depth - like your partner but without the disputes over who’s cleaning the dishes."
"Has Brussels got better or worse in the last five years?"
"One of the laziest cliches about Belgium is the country is so divided and the people so different from each other that the break-up of the state is inevitable."
Facts may be out of fashion in some quarters, but scan the stats and you’ll find that Belgium is one of the freest, richest, most educated and developed states in the world.
"A lot has changed in Brussels in the last 30 years. But it has changed in a very Brussels way – slowly, surreptitiously and with little hype or fanfare."
"If trees are vital to urban well-being, the fight against climate change and the protection of birds and animals, why are so many being sawn down in Brussels?"
"Regional officials, cultural bigwigs and marketing whizzes have spent the last 18 months devising a new international brand for Brussels. The result is a banner slogan – ‘Perfectly Imperfect’ – that is as bland as it is baffling."
"A special place in hell is reserved for drivers who park completely across pavements."
"The average age of Brussels correspondents is 45 – think Ryan Reynolds but without the glamour – and journalists spend an average of eight years reporting from the Belgian capital."
"Belgian service culture rests on the assumption that the customer is not always right."
"Some Belgians take a perverse pride in the country’s chronic disorganisation and disjointedness. At a recent meeting I attended with cultural bigwigs, many extolled the virtues of chaos, proudly declaring: “Ici c’est un grand bordel, mais on l’aime comme ça.”"
"Belgitude is a feeling of almost constant ambiguity. The awkward moment when you don’t know what language to say hello in when you meet someone."
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