"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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