Flemings

Flemings (Dutch: Vlamingen) are inhabitants of Flanders, the northern half of Belgium. Their official language is Dutch. Though they speak the same language as the Dutch, the 'Flemish' version of it is different in usage (comparable to American vs. British English) and in intonation. A Fleming can easily spot a Dutchman even when speaking a mere sentence and vice versa.

While language and culture may partially overlap with the Dutchmen living in the Netherlands, especially the southern part called Zeeuws-Vlaanderen (Zeelandish-Flanders), they are a distinctly different people with a different culture and would take offence at being called Dutchmen. The main differences are to be found in the importance given to good food and drinks (much higher in Flanders), attitudes towards politics (much more open and transparant decision making in the North, Anglo-saxon way, versus a much more latin political and negotiation culture in Flanders), in urbanistic preferences and in degree of missionary zeal in life. Flemings often feel quite well at home in countries as France and Switzerland, the first especially for a certain way of life, the second more for a multi-lingual modern society that attaches great importance to work ethics. Flemings obviously share many things with the other main ethnic group in Belgium, the Walloons (and more in general French-speaking Belgians). Main differences lie in work ethics, attitudes towards the state (much less interventionist), in openness to other cultures (Walloons are dominantly oriented towards the Francité; Flemings are interested in what happens both in Anglo-saxon countries, as in latin culture countries and in many other cultures.

da:Flamlænder de:Flamen fr: Flamand nl:Vlaming pl:Flamandowie