There are many things that are different than the US. Traditions, cuisine, family structure, and people in general are all different. At the birthday dinner I attended the other night, I was asked 1) If Americans eat vegetables 2) If we are allowed to own guns and the gun control regulations. Both of these came to a shock to me, but after thinking about it, there are many prejudices about America that I had never noticed before.
Anyways, here are a couple customs I have learned (and love)
1) A kiss on the cheek to greet and say goodbye. Even men kiss other men and children kiss adults. I find it a very friendly (as are all the people in Belgium) way to greet someone, even if you don't know them. It is much less formal than a handshake.
2) When you are finished with a meal, you place your silverware together on the plate. This shows that you are done and no longer want to be offered food. Also, at restaurants, it signals the waiter to come take you plate.
3) Meal times are quite a bit later. Breakfast is whenever you can, lunch is around 2 o'clock, there is sometimes a dessert or snack around 3, and dinner is between 630 and 7. There is a lot less snacking, which is helping me (I am 2 kilos down! haha), and I haven't eaten fast food since I have been here!
Also, yesterday I went to Liege. It was probably one of my higher points. :) People were very friendly and helped me from each train and bus. It was one of the most 'responsible' experiences I have ever had. Public transit is easier/harder than it looks.
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