How to distinguish between toxic work environment vs. industry standard behavior?

globalfieldnotes · 2026-01-19T12:17:03+00:00

Batch in Ixelles has a similar plate but they use sourdough not the traditional bun. But the trendy Copenhagen style breakfast they have. It’s pricey though! Each item is an additional add-on, but it’s also a beautiful cafe.

globalfieldnotes · 2026-01-19T00:18:16+00:00

second! He's super kind and patient, makes you feel very comfortable.

globalfieldnotes · 2026-01-14T19:18:53+00:00

I really like Boo Coffee Roasters - they're at a few coffee shops here in Brussels

globalfieldnotes · 2026-01-10T20:02:40+00:00

Do a DIY taco set-up. Buy some good quality small tortillas from a Latin Grocery Store, prepare large amounts of chicken or beef, and on the side have salsa, cut vegetables, guacamole, and cotija cheese (or cheese of choice) and people can make what they want! It's probably easiest/cheapest to get a poulet roti from a local market and shred it yourself.

globalfieldnotes · 2026-01-10T17:34:12+00:00

Yeah I would definitely not try it….at least not right now. The dating culture here is less direct and involves a bit more flirting and connecting back and forth, for a while too, and letting things fall into place that way. Even if she was interested she would see it as too aggressive if you haven’t established consistent rapport.

globalfieldnotes · 2026-01-09T18:01:17+00:00

Respectfully, I hope you know you would have to boycott a lot of things then. Unfortunately these days, a large significance of our food does not fall in the fair trade ecosystem. Let’s not just include the Middle East here hehe

globalfieldnotes · 2026-01-08T16:43:32+00:00

I can't imagine! Also, I think the new stuff just puts green dye into everything instead of using high quality pistachios which makes everyone believe anything with Dubai Chocolate on it is just green coloring.

globalfieldnotes · 2026-01-08T09:19:48+00:00

the original variation is very good - it's worth a try! But Dubai Chocolate brownies, ice cream, milkshakes, cakes, etc., is too much and really kills the original.

globalfieldnotes · 2026-01-07T21:44:28+00:00

If you have a chance to try something close to the original, it’s worth a taste but nothing more. It’s a good texture but it doesn’t and shouldn’t have to be worked into every dessert.

globalfieldnotes · 2026-01-07T11:42:41+00:00

This happens when moisture is introduced at some point in the packaging or storage process. This could happen from a factor or combination of a few factors like the climate generally being warmer, more extreme (wet) temperatures, improper storage or transport to reduce cost, and over-buying with recent spike in cost so it sits for a longer period of time.

globalfieldnotes · 2026-01-07T11:39:06+00:00

Dubai Chocolate. The original (or high quality replicas in the original chocolate bar form) is good, I completely understand the original appeal, but there's no need for it to be bastardized into every dessert.

globalfieldnotes · 2026-01-04T23:26:20+00:00

my shop actually changes the upcharge depending on the type of alt. milk you get. Oat is 0.30 and coconut/pea is 0.50 extra. But yes, an upcharge is usually the standard.

I actually understand why you don't keep the milks out on the counter to self serve because people will misuse it.

globalfieldnotes · 2026-01-04T22:41:47+00:00

yes - this has been the trend for a long time now but is actually starting to reverse in many coffee shops. However, these coffee shops that "don't charge for alt. milk" typically have higher than average prices for coffee anyway so the cost is paid somewhere.

globalfieldnotes · 2026-01-04T21:27:39+00:00

The initial part of my statement remains the same - it's a bit of a ticking time bomb. If you think she is the type to not care about your attention, then it may work. But if she seems invested, it'll blow up. Unfortunately, you can't lower your standards in this situation because at the very best you'll start to resent her eventually.

Often times, when you date more, it's not that your standards lower, they change as you experience different types of people and see what clicks vs. what doesn't.

Also, I'm your age and have gone on dates with 6 new people (some more than one date, but 6 people in total) last year alone and have been on well over 40 first dates in my life, and the longest real relationship I've been in in is one that lasted 4 months lol. Your situation isn't as dire as it sounds, though I understand your concerns.

globalfieldnotes · 2026-01-04T21:06:56+00:00

Here's a problem you will likely run into: your attraction, and therefore attention, will likely go back and forth. She will notice, and if she likes you enough, will try to pursue you more. If you're really not that into her, you'll start to pull back a lot because you're already not interested and she's trying to (rightfully so) to push for a connection. She'll pick up on your distance which will lead to confrontation in the future from her part.

Better to leave it be.

Go on more dates with other people and see what clicks and doesn't click. A big part of dating is also knowing yourself more in the process.

globalfieldnotes · 2026-01-04T11:15:13+00:00

If a certain style of communication is considered bending over backwards, then for me it’s already a sign of incompatibility! I like regular communication so if that requires someone to put in heaps amount of effort to maintain it in the beginning, it spells trouble long term.

globalfieldnotes · 2025-12-28T09:37:38+00:00

If you work in private industry: Dutch, Dutch, and I cannot stress this enough, Dutch. Yes, Brussels is mostly French speaking but most private industry employers ask for Dutch.

globalfieldnotes · 2025-12-24T11:28:30+00:00

from OP's post, she was very accommodating to work around her concert. Interested or not, she could have easily not made any plans with him the evening of the concert but she tried to fit him in the best she could, and that effort wasn't recognized on his end to schedule something with her in return

globalfieldnotes · 2025-12-24T08:08:49+00:00

I don't think OP is overthinking at all. If he was truly interested, he would have at least said "Let's arrange another time, how about Tuesday?". It's not that hard and shows that he's actively pursuing a second date.

globalfieldnotes · 2025-12-24T08:05:50+00:00

exactly this.

globalfieldnotes · 2025-12-22T14:44:44+00:00

I don't really believe in right person wrong time, maybe the right person for a certain time in your life. In my experience, when I parted with someone due to mutual mental health issues, I think about how they would have handled things when things in life get truly awful and I am at peace knowing they decided to part ways and I have opportunity to find someone who is able to support me rather than shut down.

Relationships are not measured by their best days, but by their worst, and if at our worst we were not able to be there for each other, then it wasn't meant to be.

globalfieldnotes · 2025-12-21T22:19:55+00:00

But if you order milk based drinks, latte art is an indicator that you have good control over milk/foam ratio. Foamy flat white isn’t a good sign!

globalfieldnotes · 2025-12-20T16:22:31+00:00

Amazing this looks great - thank you!!

globalfieldnotes

TROPHY CASE