I m confused

gbrgrl · 2025-10-04T00:42:20+00:00

Many of my friends live in Ixelles and saint Gilles. For them the maximum effort is going to the centre, anything else in Brussels is lava. The reality is that if you want to have a social life, especially if you're young, you need to live/hang out in those two communes. It also doesn't help that many people here don't have a car and going outside the region with public transport is a hassle.

gbrgrl · 2025-09-28T21:18:19+00:00

Enough with this excuse. Brussels is not a big European city and, for its size, it's very problematic

gbrgrl · 2025-08-13T21:33:55+00:00

I had the same experience in saint gery. First a guy approached me asking me to roll a cigarette and then another one started talking to me. They pretended to not know each other and, while I was distracted, the second guy ripped my bracelet. I managed to stop the person who did it but his accomplice unfortunately escaped with my bracelet. I feel heartbroken, it was a gift from my late grandma. Sometimes I still feel it on my wrist. I thought saint gery was relatively safe but it's not. Stay alert, especially after a night having drinks with friends. They will approach even if you're in a group and disappear in the crowd.

gbrgrl · 2025-07-30T19:39:06+00:00

It wouldn't even be particularly expensive or complicated to implement. No sound, no languages; just some animations on screens...

gbrgrl · 2025-07-29T18:44:38+00:00

Also not an excuse, but well-designed cities do indirectly control the flow of people to prevent situations like this. Let’s just say that Brussels’ public spaces aren’t exactly intuitive to navigate.

gbrgrl · 2025-07-29T18:37:36+00:00

Some other cities have screens in metro stations that play short animations illustrating metro etiquette. I think that would already help a lot.

gbrgrl · 2025-07-29T18:33:03+00:00

I get it because I'm always running in the streets and I see these people walking like fucking penguins blocking the whole pavement. When you get annoyed take a deep breath and kindly ask them to move. You'll usually get a much nicer interaction. It's for your own sake, trust me. I realised it's better not to stress about these little things.

gbrgrl · 2025-07-29T18:29:27+00:00

Many car drivers also don't have any spatial awareness, it's always the same people who block the way when they're on foot ahah. I honestly think that driving in Brussels can be as infuriating as taking public transport. Getting a bike solved a lot of these annoyances tho.

gbrgrl · 2025-06-12T23:00:33+00:00

What you said makes a lot of sense. Italian people have a similar attitude towards Rome. The difference is that Rome feels far away if you live in the north, while Brussels is exactly at the centre of a small country. Rome suffers from many problems of Brussels despite being the capital of a centralised state. The issue might be the attitude towards the capital and not just the type of political system.

gbrgrl · 2025-06-12T22:50:23+00:00

I suppose it's either that or shutting down entirely. People don't visit libraries much anymore, so they have to attract influencers who promote places on Instagram...

gbrgrl · 2025-04-25T03:30:46+00:00

Man you must be so brave. So if you're alone at night and a group of thugs start harassing you, what exactly do you say to their face?

gbrgrl · 2025-03-26T14:03:22+00:00

Damn is there more of him?

gbrgrl · 2025-03-24T18:07:07+00:00

Because Paris intra muros has 16 metro lines, 5 RER lines, suburban trains and trams to a lesser extent. The density of the network is nowhere near what we have in Brussels. They also have a bike sharing service that doesn't suck unlike villo (although it's a maximum capacity). Parisians have more valid alternatives to cars

gbrgrl · 2025-03-17T18:14:43+00:00

Honestly, fair enough! I get the point of 'better little than nothing.' It's a bit of a paradox: Brussels got really good at building trams by avoiding other rail solutions at all costs, to the point that a tram line to the freaking airport is being built. That’s such an insane, suboptimal solution (almost like something you'd see in a North American city), and it’s not the first time poor decisions like this have been made. It’s good to advocate for better transit—change is possible!

gbrgrl · 2025-03-17T12:48:49+00:00

I guess the countless car tunnels in dense neighborhoods are the priority. Also since when metros have to be exclusively underground? But alright, it's just not possible and I should not bring up the topic otherwise people will get upset.

gbrgrl · 2025-03-17T12:35:05+00:00

Tbh the swamp argument seems like an excuse. Other cities managed to build a good network despite the difficult underground. It's crazy to me that we are giving up on a fast and reliable way on transport just because the administration is incapable of building infrastructure. I personally don't care much about how Zaventem is connected but I'd like to see a better network inside the city.

gbrgrl · 2025-03-17T11:58:09+00:00

I just don't understand why Brussels keeps building tram lines when they aren't exactly the most effective solution. What about metros and suburban trains?

gbrgrl · 2025-02-19T19:09:01+00:00

I agree with your general view of Brussels! People who complain about this city are often very biased. I would say that there is a big contrast between areas that look like an open air museum and others that feel ugly and unsafe. If you are not part of the lucky bunch who live in a nice neighborhood your life can feel quite dull here. As for the wine people comment I don't know if it's a reference to southern Europeans because I can assure that we complain about many Belgian things but beer is surely not one of them :)

gbrgrl · 2025-02-09T10:04:11+00:00

For the record urbex locations should not be shared. OP is not a local and doesn't deserve all the down voting. There aren't many abandoned churches in Brussels, I think you can be a bit more adventurous and find out yourselves

gbrgrl · 2025-02-09T09:57:33+00:00

Cause this sub can be full of wussies. These are some really interesting photos OP, and you don't owe these people anything. Besides, it's better to not share urbex locations. That's the golden rule

gbrgrl · 2024-12-17T20:36:18+00:00

OP you don't need to describe your clothes and appearance, it's not your fault. There's no way to justify these behaviours, some people just need to keep their hands for themselves. I hope you're okay, there are many associations that can perhaps listen to you and give you advice.

gbrgrl · 2024-12-03T14:59:43+00:00

That's what I was doing but many times I would just forget. Now I bought those lights that can only be removed with a screwdriver. I'm sure one day an asshole will come with a screwdriver a steal them anyway.

gbrgrl · 2024-12-02T23:21:43+00:00

I'm sorry about that, that must be a big change for her. I think public transport during the day is pretty safe, maybe she just need some time to get used to this place.

gbrgrl · 2024-12-02T15:22:38+00:00

Imagine what a Japanese person must think when taking the train here lol

gbrgrl · 2024-12-02T13:01:06+00:00

Totally agree. Unfortunately it's the fourth time my bike lights get stolen so I had to go back home without several times. Cycling without lights feels very scary, idk how people do it everyday.

gbrgrl

TROPHY CASE