Plux

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Plux, and the old Luxembourg Station, in an old postcard

Plux, short form of Place du Luxembourg/Luxemburgplein, is the institutional afterwork meeting place just outside the European Parliament. On a summer Thursday evening, it is customary to meet there with colleagues, enjoying a good Belgian beer and some ugly, deafening disco music.

The hierarchic level of the people taking part in this gathering can be assessed by carefully observing their clothes:

Suit, tie, elegant shoes, stovepipe hat
Trainee desperately looking for a last hook to find a job

Torn-out H&M t-shirt, capri shorts, loafers
Trainee on his last day in Brussels, coming to Plux purely for the beer from the Pakistani shop at the corner

Torn-out H&M t-shirt, capri shorts, white sponge socks and sandals
Central European Trainee on his last day in Brussels, coming to Plux purely for the beer from the Pakistani shop at the corner

Shirt with rolled-up sleeves, long cigarette, sad look
Interimaire or Intramuros forced to stay in Brussels the whole summer long because they can’t afford taking any holidays

150€ branded t-shirt, trousers hand-wrinkled by Armani himself, golden Rolex
Head of Unit whose wife is on holidays, trying to blend in with the youth

Leffe Blonde, backpack, shorts, confused look, wondering why people are having fun
Your friend from abroad who doesn’t speak any English or French

Messy hair, skirt and trainers, Aperol Spritz in her hand
DG MEME Brexit Chief Memer trying to find new contacts who can help her get back to the institutions. And getting drunk in the process.

Jacket on polo, slight smile, nostalgic look, wondering why he is even there
DG MEME Director-General looking out for the EU Bubble to keep a sober approach to fun.