Advocaat Omar Souidi Defends Verdict.. Normal Alcohol Use Sparks Belgian Controversy

Advocaat Omar Souidi Defends Verdict on Normal Alcohol Use

NMBS conductor’s bilingual greeting “goedendag-bonjour” sparked a complaint, deemed valid by language authorities—will this change Belgium’s strict language rules?

Marie Dupont5 hours agoLast Update : 5 hours ago

Advocaat Omar Souidi (40) over zijn veroordeling: “Mijn normaal alcoholgebruik zal mensen die mij niet geloven niet overtuigen, dat is hun goed recht”

www.nieuwsblad.be

The recent complaint against an NMBS conductor for greeting passengers in both Dutch and French highlights ongoing tensions around language use on Belgian trains. Saying “goedendag-bonjour” just inside Flanders led to a formal ruling on 2025-07-12 12:22:00 that the conductor was indeed at fault. This incident shines a spotlight on the complexities of bilingual communication in Belgium’s public transport system.

6 Key Takeaways

Conducteur spreekt reizigers te vroeg in twee talen
Vaste Commissie voor Taaltoezicht bevestigt klacht
NMBS-conducteur handelde in strijd met regels
NMBS pleit voor soepelere taalvoorschriften
Taalregels roepen discussie over klantvriendelijkheid op
Incident vond plaats net in Vlaanderen

Language remains a sensitive issue in Belgium, especially when it comes to official rules versus customer service. The NMBS has pushed for more flexible and customer-friendly language policies, but the Vaste Commissie voor Taaltoezicht’s decision shows regulators still enforce strict guidelines. How can the railways balance respect for language laws with the practical need to welcome all passengers?

Understanding this ruling is essential for travellers and staff alike. What does this mean for future conductors and the multilingual nature of Belgium’s train network? Here is the fast answer.

Fast Answer: The NMBS conductor’s bilingual greeting was ruled a violation of language rules in Flanders, underscoring the ongoing debate over language policy enforcement on Belgian trains.

Does this decision reflect a rigid approach that could alienate passengers? Or is it a necessary protection of regional language rights? The ruling raises important questions about communication in a country with three official languages:

Strict language laws apply even in mixed-language contexts like trains crossing regions
NMBS advocates for more flexible, customer-oriented language use to improve passenger experience
The ruling may prompt calls for clearer, updated guidelines balancing legal and practical needs

Language sensitivity remains a key issue in Belgium’s public services, affecting how institutions like NMBS navigate bilingualism daily.

As Belgium continues to evolve, will language policies adapt to better serve a diverse population? Passengers and staff alike should stay informed and engaged in discussions about language use on public transport to foster a more inclusive travel environment.