Brabanters are known as ‘gezellige’ people. ‘A gezellige Brabanter’ or ‘Brabant gezelligheid’ are expressions heard frequently. It is a word for which many other languages have no adequate translation, but in Brabant it is used widely. Eating together is another ‘gezellige’ activity for Brabanters and is much appreciated as such. Elies Koot, a Master student of Architecture, Building and Planning, comes from Friesland and has come to study in Eindhoven. She, too, notices the difference in eating habits: “In Friesland it is really exceptional to go out for a meal, unless there is a special event of some sort. Here in Brabant people dine out far more easily.”

The most specific Brabant food is the ‘worstenbroodje’. The worstenbroodje -made of white bread dough- should not be confused with the sausage roll - made of puff pastry. The worstenbroodje is eaten most at Christmas, St. Nicolas’ Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Apart from ‘gezellig’ another characterization of Brabanters is that they are relaxed. Steef Blok, director of the TU/e Innovation Lab, used to work in Rotterdam and Amsterdam before coming to Eindhoven. “I have noticed that Brabanters separate work from private life better. And that they are more relaxed. The relaxed nature of Brabanters also struck Elies Koot: “When I’m on the train, I clearly notice the difference. In Friesland travelers tend to get up long before the train has moved into the station. In Brabant you will not witness that phenomenon so soon.”

The biggest Brabant feast is carnival, which is not celebrated at all in other parts of the Netherlands. This is because carnival is originally a catholic feast and the south traditionally has far more Catholics than the north. Carnival has of old been the feast that is celebrated right before the beginning of Lent. These days there are not that many people who fast anymore, but the carnival feast is here to stay. (HB)

Source: Echt Brabants?! top 10 van Brabantse gewoonten onderzocht en omschreven.