The question seems quickly answered:

• Flemish coolness
  • Flemish culture is very different from that of Holland. It is characterised by a work culture. Work sets people apart and gives them personal value. Without work, you have no value. You are nothing. You are worthless.
• Fines galore
  • 70% des amendes routières sont faites en Flandre.
  • These roadside fines are a reminder to obey the law and to ‘walk the walk’. The slightest cultural or general faux-pas is quickly penalised. The Flemish like to remind people of their superiority.
• Having to speak Flemish
  • Parler flamand, c’est parler le néerlandais, langue parlée par environ 22 millions de personnes.
  • As opposed to French, which is spoken by over 300 million people. Roughly speaking, 90% more people speak French. A culture that has ‘succeeded’ internationally”. Whose style is asserted for its vision of love, couture, romance and beauty, and socially too. Paris, the Mecca of French, attracts all the international stars (see the Vogue fashion show in 2024). Why leave your own language to sink into a language that has little to offer internationally?
• Adapting to the culture. Strongly nationalistic Flemings love and claim their own culture. The Flemish are not going to “let you come and work and leave”. You’re going to have to adapt psychologically to their culture. To their rigidity of character.
• Self-centredness and lack of solidarity. The Walloons like solidarity and the Flemish don’t like it at all. It weakens them. Everyone has to be able to function individually. The “existential” or social void in this world of work can be hard to live with. Little help. Only productivity. May the best man win. There’s a form of “march or die” among the Flemish. To each his own. You’re on your own. It’s true, it’s useful. It enhances abilities and portfolios. But it also develops antipathy and/or sociopathy.
• The distance… In addition to the cultural distance, there is the distance to be travelled to carry out the proposed labour work. This often means moving. A move therefore includes cultural integration… And most likely a personal investment to fit in and probably end up trapped there. Of course, if you come looking for work, it’s because you’re short of it. So there probably won’t be much going back.The distance… In addition to the cultural distance, there is the distance to be travelled to carry out the proposed labour work. This often means moving. A move therefore includes cultural integration… And most likely a personal investment to fit in and probably end up trapped there. Of course, if you come looking for work, it’s because you’re short of it. So there probably won’t be much going back.
• Lack of cultural flexibility. What to do if you don’t like the culture. Do the Flemish help the Walloons to integrate? They hold out their hands and offer to work.
• Lack of social skills. Flemings know how to talk, of course, but they don’t know how to socialise! The Flemish like to pretend that their hard work will win them over internationally. It’s not false. The port of Antwerp is internationally renowned. But that’s the result of historical factors that go back 400 years. Not social. Arbeit!

No, the Flemish don’t make it easy to find work – they’re certainly short of labour, but the work on offer seems to be an invitation to convert to a culture doped up on fines and which develops antipathy.

When you join a work hub. You have to consider all the aspects that revolve around it. Accessibility, sociability, mentalities, etc…When you join a work hub. You have to consider all the aspects that revolve around it. Accessibility, sociability, mentalities, etc…

If you come to look for work in Flanders, it’s because you’re “short of money” and want to find it “quietly”. Not so that a financial trap can be sprung on you, your principles and your values.

Accusing Walloons of not wanting to work is false. The Flemish offer work, but it is riddled with pitfalls. And framed by a stifling culture.