When did you live in Belgium? Very true about the dutch/french divide. I think I lived in a very French area, plus it was the early eighties so not all the locals were fans of speaking english. Now you can hardly go to a major city in Europe without someone there knowing english.

I lived in Mons, Oberg, in the 80’s. Lived there 3 years, while in the military. Did a lot of travel spent 50% of my miliatry service in Europe. Germany, Beligum, a few others. Some time in Korea. Yes, it is very true about english now. The internet has helped also to spread it and yet learn about the different cultures and countries of the entire world now at one’s finger tips.