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To: Paladin2
The Belgians need to recognize that they are really French (with all negatives that that entails).

You would get your entrails handed to you so fast in Flanders....

Belgium is two different countries forced together by the very bizarre power politics of Europe. The southern half is French speaking, the Waloons. The nothern half is Flemish speaking (think Dutch/German), which is Flanders.

All Belgians are required to learn both languages fluently in school, along with English. The Waloons forever after refuse to admit that they speak Flemish and the Flemish refuse to admit any knowledge of French. Therefore almost all business is done in English. This leads to a lot of resentment against anyone who actually speaks English.

Belgium is the best revenge on the Belgians. Even the Belgians know this to be true. My father in law and mother in law live in her home town in Flanders.

In compensation they have the finest chocolate anywhere and they have more different beers than any other country in the world. Each town has one or two local brews that they've perfected over hundreds of years, most of them excellent. Brussels beer, however, is flat and very yucky. Which is, of course, fitting.

25 posted on 02/23/2005 6:30:10 PM PST by Phsstpok ("When you don't know where you are, but you don't care, you're not lost, you're exploring.")
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To: Phsstpok
It still seems like the Belgians act as a colony of France, with the EU headquarters being there and bowing to all things French.

Which faction in Belgium is the majority?

Why don't the Flemish secede and join the Dutch?

31 posted on 02/23/2005 6:50:53 PM PST by Paladin2 (SeeBS News - We Decide, We Create, We Report - In that order! - ABC - Already Been Caught)
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