In Britain . . .

[Buenchico]

. . . we've traditionally made jokes about the intelligence (or lack of it) of the Irish. However much of the rest of Europe has traditionally made similar jokes about the Belgians. I wonder why?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-45958404

;-)

[gness]

We?......Not all of us, Chris!!!!

But when an English guy stole the TV from our museum and tried to pawn it he was caught when he came back for the remote..... :-)

[DTCwordfan]

tradition on that, for those over there, the Belgians making jokes about their opposite language sects...and, having lived there, some of them are merited for their religo-lingusitic intolerance.

[Buenchico]

That guy obviously wasn't as adept at nicking stuff as my uncle was, Gness. He took a fancy to a small stool at a nightclub and managed to leave with it without being detected. He then decided to go back for some matching furniture. Over the next few weeks he managed to nick several more small stools, some big bar stools - and a sofa!

[retrocop]

TV with a remote? Hardly a museum piece. Talk about the dark ages. What a joke.

[Buenchico]

I know just how much the two different lots of Belgians dislike each other, DTC. In Ostend I make sure that I always use my faltering Flemish to order in a bar or restaurant or, if that fails, I revert to using English. I wouldn't dare try using French, as I'd rather not be thrown out!

[retrocop]

Ostend is awash with Scouse tobacco smugglers. The bar owners speak,arguably better English than the natives. No need for Flemish or Waloon. :-)

[DTCwordfan]

Exactement - up in Antwerpen or Ghent, they wanted jokes in English, not in French, not at all and they would roar in laughter at ones they were familiar with - a trick being to add some props or whatever.......

[retrocop]

I spent many a week or 10 in a bar in Ostende called The Shakespeare.
There was a statue commemorating the Belgian fisherman who helped women and children escape Nasty Occupation outside
The Leif Blonde on draught was brilliant and I fibbed about my fluent French to get the job and never needed it. The overseas allowance was good and after paying for the Leif it helped pay the mortgage. :-)

[gness]

Oh you do try, Retrocop...the TV wasn't on display as a museum piece...think about it.

[sanmac]

I hear that the Belgians have a herculean sense of humour...Twirls mustache and exits.

[Buenchico]

I think I've been in the Shakespeare in Ostend, Retrocop, but, alas, like the Melrose (which was always my favourite), it is no more. (Actually the Melrose still exists but it's been renamed and tarted up to become almost unrecognisable).

Sanmac:
Your post tested my little grey cells somewhat ;-)

[retrocop]

Oh I get the joke. I think. How was he 'monitored' returning for the remote? :-)

[Cloverjo]

Isn't it there a similar sort of thing between Aussies and New Zealanders?
I think there was a bit on QI once about various countries' jokes about their supposedly thicker neighbours.

[gness]

Oh for goodness sake. You must know why museums have televisions on some rooms, surely?

[Buenchico]

Never accuse a New Zealander of being an Ozzie, Cloverjo. The result is nearly as painful as that from accusing a Canadian of being a Yank!

[retrocop]

Oh for goodness sake you must know what a CCTV security 'monitor' means don't you. I have put 'monitor' in inverted commas thrice now.

[retrocop]

HeyHo Chris
Just tried to Google The Shakespeare Bar and as you say it is no longer there, at least,under that name. Like so many of my old haunts have gone, Comes with age I guess. :-(

[DTCwordfan]

some guy named William walked into the Shakespeare in Ostend, the Brummy barman shouting out 'Oi - you know you're Barred'.....

[retrocop]

Cloverjo
The butt of Canadian jokes are Newfies (Newfoundlanders) They are the Irish equivalent in Canada.

[retrocop]

DTC
I know what AB section you have been trawling recently. Two Beers or Not Two Beers. :-)