Brussels Propreté: Tradition of New Year Gifts and Generosity

2023-12-10 16:01:00

It’s a very seasonal tradition. Brussels Propreté agents are currently visiting your home to send you their good wishes, in exchange, if you wish, for traditional New Year gifts.

A stone’s throw from the Uccle crematorium, Denis Bonnewijn goes door to door, in the wind and the pouring rain: “It reminds me of work. Rain, frost, we go through all kinds of weather, we“, laughs Denis. From bell to bell, the tone is jovial and the speech perfectly rehearsed. If certain doors remain closed, if Denis receives a few refusals, most of the people of Brussels who open their doors “are very generous“.

They do a very difficult job. We are happy to have them. I give every year, it’s a tradition, they deserve it“, estimates this lady, slipping a ten euro note into Denis’ hand.

In addition to the pleasure of receiving a little drink, the Brussels Propreté worker appreciates these moments of exchange, rare in his profession. “It’s very friendly, we chat. During the year, when we pass at 5:30 in the morning, there is no one at the doors. That is the problem“, s’esclaffe Denis Bonnewijn.

We don’t just get money

At the neighbor’s house, on the chest of drawers in the entrance hall, there is a bottle of wine waiting for the cleaner. “We don’t just get money. Sometimes it’s waffles, chocolate, wine“, smiles Denis.

A lot of generosity, therefore, but prudence too. Many citizens contacted want to ensure that they are dealing with a worker from Bruxelles Propreté. “One or two years ago, we got really screwed. Afterwards, when the workers pass, the real ones, we have nothing left to give them and it’s sad“, regrets this local resident who thanks the cleaning agents for their “good job“.

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