Answer

Dutch speakers in Brussels are generally not very militant when it comes to language. This is demonstrated in their language use and political choices, in which they easily switch between Dutch and French. Therefore, it is not unlikely that they regard Flemish politics as too militant and in short, annoying. As a result, they would rather define themselves as Brussels citizens, rather than Flemish. (The same goes for French speakers in Brussels by the way, who would also rather not be called Walloons.)

As far as the other language groups are concerned, it is possible on the one hand that they see the Flemish as an economic threat because they are –supposedly- hard working and multilingual. On the other hand, it is possible that they look at the success of the far right (see >Vlaams Belang) in Flanders as an indication of an intolerant attitude of the Flemish in general.

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