In an era given over to the big-box warehouse outlet, they are the shopkeepers of Europe. Bret Dawson investigates.

You did not know this until now, but the Belgians differ greatly in their dining habits from their neighbours in France and the Netherlands and England.

They do not do as the Dutch do, topping slices of white bread with chocolate sprinkles. They do not do that.

They do not do as the French do, drowning pieces of perfectly-roasted game in creamy reduction sauces. They do not do that.

They do not do as the English do, boiling their meals until they are greyish and wilty. They do not do that.

They do not do as the Dutch do, dipping their fries in little cups of mayonnaise. They do not do that.

They do not do as the French do, punctuating each meal with slabs of cheese. They do not do that.

They do not do as the English do, decorating their plates with something called "brown sauce." They do not do that.

They do not like Brussel Sprouts either.

They are picky eaters.

Grow up, why don't they.