Do the Belgians have a sense of humour?

Do the belgians have a sense of humour? Apparantly they do, very much so.

Here is a little article which appeared in yesterday's Scotsman. It is quite
relevent to travel in Europe, especially by Americans.


Political wets give Belgians last laugh


THE Belgians' reputation as boring and humourless was dispelled somewhat
during President Bush's visit this week as they managed somehow to convince
the American entourage that peeing on your guest's head is not only
appropriate but a sign of welcome. Somehow, the Americans swallowed this
explanation for urinals in public buildings, bars and restaurants decorated
with stickers of the Stars and Stripes with Dubya's visage and the caption:
"Go ahead Make my day. **** on me."



After all, the Belgians said, Brussels' best-known statue is that of
"Manneken Pis", the wee boy having a wee-wee. Indeed, they dress him up to
honour guests, as they did for Nelson Mandela .



"To say they were extracting the urine," according to our man in Brussels,
"is putting it mildly." Especially as the sticker originated from the
office of the deputy prime minister, Vande Lanotte, where they were designed
by Laurent Winnockone, a member of his press office. Laurent is also
president of the Young Socialists.



When Robert Stevaert, the Socialist party leader, was asked what he thought
of the stickers, he stressed that it had not been his idea, but refused to
distance himself from it. He hardly could, as they can be ordered free
through the party's official website.

Guy Verhofstadt is prime minister. Point proven.

I wholly concur with the sentiments expressed, but that
sticker has been around, here in the U.S., since the
beginning of the Iraq invasion! It has been offered for
sale on a number of political websites here, and still is.
I applaud the Belgians for making use of it, but the idea
originated in America, not Belgium.

Nosmo King wrote:

Do the belgians have a sense of humour? Apparantly they do, very much so.

"Nosmo King" wrote in message ...
THE Belgians' reputation as boring and humourless was dispelled

That's strange.
I live in Switzerland and we hear a lot of french jokes about the
belgians but they are never about the belgians lacking a sense of
humor but more about them being stupid. I'd say in Europe it's more
the germans (or the swiss) who have a reputation for being too serious
and lacking a sense of humor. BTW The swiss also have a reputation for
being a bit slow and keeping their country too clean.

The belgians are seen more as strange people with a strange sense of
humor. Personally I'd say they've got a pretty good sense of humor (a
bit absurd), for example you could read the "Gaston Lagaffe" comic
books or watch the movie "C'est arrivé près de chez vous" to try to
understand it.

"christian9997" wrote in message
om...

The belgians are seen more as strange people with a strange sense of
humor. Personally I'd say they've got a pretty good sense of humor (a
bit absurd), for example you could read the "Gaston Lagaffe" comic
books or watch the movie "C'est arrivé près de chez vous" to try to
understand it.


Who else could make a national hero out of Tintin? They also have an
inordinate amount of bizarre museums.

Having said that, when I have been over to the mainland on hols, I wouldn't
miss my stopover for a night or two on the way back before catching the
ferry home. I like to replenish with Belgian Beers and other odds and ends.
I usually alternate between Brugge, Gent and Antwerpen.

I am going to do Gent again this year so does anybody have any good places
to eat there?

I have only had 1 **** meal in Belgium in Diksmuide.

Too many tourists for the town to handle.

Although the beer festival was completed by a band dressed in
Lederhosen, because a beer festival must be German for British tourists.

"Nosmo King" wrote in message ...
"christian9997" wrote in message
om...

The belgians are seen more as strange people with a strange sense of
humor. Personally I'd say they've got a pretty good sense of humor (a
bit absurd), for example you could read the "Gaston Lagaffe" comic
books or watch the movie "C'est arrivé près de chez vous" to try to
understand it.


Who else could make a national hero out of Tintin? They also have an
inordinate amount of bizarre museums.

Having said that, when I have been over to the mainland on hols, I wouldn't
miss my stopover for a night or two on the way back before catching the
ferry home. I like to replenish with Belgian Beers and other odds and ends.
I usually alternate between Brugge, Gent and Antwerpen.

I am going to do Gent again this year so does anybody have any good places
to eat there?
Depends on when you go, but I can recommend 'de Lieve', Sint
Margrietstraat 1. Open day and evening, closed weekends.
If you want to know more, mail me. Have a nice stay,
Peter.