Is the era of men in grey suits governing the world coming to an end? Just look at Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, coming to press conferences the entire world is waiting for with a jean and a hooded sweater…

Well, that’s not (yet?) really the case in the EP. There are already some frontrunners of course (not to mention the Greens), but most of the politicians are still wearing suits and ties. They represent the voters and, in our collective imagination, they should therefore by serious. And the external sign of seriousness is still, for a man, to wear a tie.

[It's quite different for women. The social norm is not so strict - or maybe I don't understand very well because I'm not directly concerned! Unfortunately, they're still underrepresented at a high level.]

No, he's not an alien. Even it's he's an incredible guy, he also enjoys joking and watching TV... Don't judge too quickly!

Tell me what you look like and I’ll tell you who you are

Our brains are very much conditioned by the external aspect. While passing through the endless corridors of the EP building, you can easily imagine who are the people you meet. Black suit and dark tie? An usher. Dark suit and blue tie? An MEP or a high ranking official. Suit and white shirt, without tie? Probably the assistant of an MEP. Colourful sweater with old sport shoes? Well, an MEP from the Greens or the European United Left (GUE)…

But we should take care because we can have some surprises. This week, together with my colleague Pavel, I met a small guy with a purple shirt and a bright smile. Nothing particular physically, maybe just something indefinable in the eyes…

A guy like you and me… but former Commander of the ISS

The guy was Frank De Winne – astronaut and former chief of the International space station (ISS). You can imagine how smart, physically fit and experienced you should be to get such responsibilities. He was pilot in the Belgian Air force, got numerous decorations, then he became astronaut and finally first European to become Commander of the ISS.

Frank De Winne could have been a perfect example of these guys walking around full of arrogance and self-consciousness. He could have bringing us down while explaining all the technical details we would have never understood. But, in the contrary, he was just there, joking with everyone, explaining the day-to-day life in the ISS, drinking a glass of champagne. Astonishing.

Behind humour, a strong personality

He didn’t try to make himself important and preferred to make the audience laugh. “After a few days aboard the ISS, I thought I was experienced enough to go as quickly as possible from the European to the Russian area, which are separated by a long corridor. Arriving at the end of the corridor with full speed, I saw the chief of the Russian mission standing in the middle of the door – and I suddenly found out that I didn’t know how to stop…” There is no need to describe the crash and how Frank De Winne should have felt at this moment…

It’s possible too be smart, cool and funny at the same time

He also explained us how astronauts play with bubbles of orange juice floating in the air, and why it was so difficult to spend six months in the space: there is no way to watch the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix live (he’s Flemish and fan of cycling, of course)…

What did I learn from this interview? The role of the EU in space exploration, but not only that. Much more than that indeed. I learnt that you should never judge too quickly, that you should never judge on the external aspect. And that it’s possible too be smart, cool and funny at the same time.

[NB: And of course, we didn't meet him by chance, but we had a slot for an interview]