From earlier
posts, we get a strong sense of formality in Belgian business negotiations.
Belgians prefer to negotiate at a slow pace and take a while to get to know business
associates. After getting to know and trust you as a business associate, you
may receive an invite to a colleague's home for dinner. This final post describes how
to conduct yourself if you are invited to dine at a Belgian’s home.
Bring a Gift for the Host
Belgium is
famous for its fine chocolate. It is acceptable to bring chocolate as a gift,
but make sure it is of a high quality. Flowers are also an acceptable gift. Because white chrysanthemums symbolize death, avoid offering chrysanthemums to your host. Bouquets of flowers should come in
odd numbers, but do not offer a bouquet of 13 flowers. Gifts of wine and liquor
should only be exchanged between close friends.
Greeting Could be Less Formal
If you are
being invited to someone’s house, you probably know each other well enough
to forgo a handshake and greet each other with “air” kisses, which is three
kisses alternating from one cheek to the other. Family is a priority to most
Belgians, and if your host has children, consider bringing a separate gift, usually candy.
The Rest is up to You!
At this point, you have probably
discovered much about your host and Belgian traditions, so the rest should come
naturally.
I hope this blog has provided useful
information and I wish you luck in your business endeavors!
Grand Place Market in Brussels, Belgium
http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-00bf-33a0-f6da
Works Cited
"Belgium - Language, Culture,
Customs and Business Etiquette." Kwintessential. N.p., n.d. Web. 27
May 2013.
Hey,
ReplyDeleteI knew chocolate was good for everything. In japan it also means a great deal to be offered in to someone's home, I think with BBQ's and house parties the meaning is not the same here. Great pictures and blogs.