Brussels through the Eyes of an American

Brussels is one of the most casual cities I've ever been to in Europe. To give you an idea of how low key this city is, first take your stereotypes of Europe:
--slim
--attractive
--well-dressed
--in-your-face, blunt
--etc.

Now take your stereotypes of the people of New York City, in my opinion comparable to the European Union District:
--rude
--rushed
--business suits and briefcases
--glued to their mobile phones
--the list goes on...

Brussels? The Captial of Europe, Seat of the European Union and of NATO, Capital City of Belgium, site of the signing of The Brussels Treaty in 1948...why wouldn't this political hub share the same attitudes of generic Europe and sharp cities like NYC? For whatever reason, it doesn't.

To put it in an exemplary term, one of the internship students (Amy from L.A.) is working for the European Voice. Before she came here, she was speaking with her employer to know how to dress around the office. He informed her that it was business dress during the week, but Friday was a dress-down and jeans were allowed. Last night she informed us that everyone wears jeans around the office day in and day out.

We walk to class every morning through the immigrant district where we live to the industrial district and straight into the EU district filled with commissioners and journalists. I think the highest heels I've seen on a woman have been 2 inches and even then, only five or six pairs. Most people wear flats or heels up to one inch.

I'm a very fast walker, and have had to slow down while here since I typically have three others trailing behind me. I certainly stand out as the rushed American with an agenda compared to these Belgians. Admittedly the streets and sidewalks are hardly congested, but I feel I've only been passed a few times.

Suits and briefcases? Suits maybe, briefcases no. Backpacks are more in style here except for networking meetings or public appearances. Mobile phones are a rarity. Everyone has one, but no one uses them in public. It's a much more social town.

Most people we meet are very gracious and accommodating (I realize I've only spoken of some of the less genial people thus far). Everyone speaks at least 2 languages--English and their native language--many of them more than that. The two main languages of the EU are English and French. At our press briefing today, I was glad to say that I didn't need a translator for any of the information, but in the armrest of each seat are headphones and a remote control dial to choose your preferred language in which to hear the entire brief. Around the entire room except behind the main podium were booths much like the media boxes at sports events for the translators to interpret and speak into their microphones which transfer the new message into the headphones tuned in to that particular dial.

The European Commission (much like our Executive branch in its political role but serves more of a Congressional presence in the legislation aspect) is an interesting place. The Commission representatives can all be seen in suits and business-wear, but wandering around the buildings most people are in jeans or casual pants and polos. I even saw a few tshirts today.

I had more examples of Brussels' overall relaxation. Apart from the fact that rules don't exist and police merely look pretty in uniform, though, I can't remember any. Perhaps I'll update later.