Ilyass Alba, the conductor, explained that his bilingual greeting of 'goeiemorgen, bonjour' was intended to welcome everyone, reflecting Belgium's multicultural society. He emphasized that using both languages is common in a diverse nation, stating, 'In a small country like Belgium where we all live together, why not use both languages to make people feel included? It's not just about rules; it's about respect and unity.' This highlights the need for nuanced understanding in language matters.
Transport Minister Georges Gilkinet expressed support for the conductor's approach, saying, 'Conductors should prioritize giving a quality welcome and ensuring all passengers are fully informed. Using several languages to greet passengers is a natural choice in a diverse country and should be encouraged, not penalized.' His comments aimed to bridge the linguistic divide and promote inclusivity, emphasizing that rigidity in language policy can detract from the genuine experience of service.
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