A ticket inspector who greeted customers in two different languages has been given a warning after a passenger complained.
The Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in Belgium has strict language laws, requiring train conductors to only use Dutch in the area, French in the French-speaking regions and both languages in Brussels.
Ilyass Alba greeted customers with both ‘goeiedag’ and ‘bonjour’, prompting a customer to complain last year.
His employer has warned him that he should not have used French in the region unless he had been approached by a passenger speaking French.
On Facebook. Alba wrote: ‘What a country,’ adding that ‘the commission would rule in his favour when travellers from all over the world visit Belgium is a sign of narrow-mindedness on the part of a small Flemish elite.’
His employer has defended him, saying Alba just wanted to ‘warmly greet all passengers, something to which we attach great importance.’
Alba has capitalised on his mistake at work, and is selling mugs which read both ‘Goeiedag’ and ‘Bonjour’.
‘Whatever will be, long live Belgium,’ he added.
Dimitri Temmerman, from the train company, previously said: ‘We always want to respect the language legislation, but this is about a conductor who wants to welcome all the passengers on his train warmly.
‘We are certainly not going to condemn that, but rather applaud it. We support train conductors like this, who are good ambassadors for the NMBS.’
Language laws in Belgium are quite complicated for those who might not be aware of them.
Regionally, Flanders uses Dutch as the official language. In Wallonia, French is the official language, but there’s a large German community as well.
In Brussels, both Dutch and French are official languages. Enforcing the language laws, which apply to places like trains and government buildings, can be difficult.
Some UK towns could soon have language laws enforced as well.
Thanet District Council is dusting off its plans to fine anyone caught swearing in public – meaning ‘bollocks!’ on the beach could soon cost you £100.
The so-called Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) would see officers patrolling the streets of Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Birchington., ready to give fines to foul-mouthed folk disturbing the peace. It’s essentially a giant communal swear jar.
But before you yell ‘poppycock!’ and ‘drat!’, this isn’t Thanet’s first attempt. The council tried the same thing last year, but they were blocked when the Free Speech Union declared ‘ruddy nonsense’ and threatened legal action.
Chief Inspector Ian Swallow wrote a letter of support saying the order would help reduce crime and disorder in the district, giving officers more power to deal with antisocial behaviour.
After all, it’s not just cursing that is under fire – the order also targets dirty blighters peeing, crapping and spitting in the streets.
Offenders will have 28 days to pay up, but the fine drops to £60 if you pay up within two weeks.
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