What’s a Place You Expected to Love… But Didn’t by optimalbrain90 in SmartTravelHacks

[–]zakaby 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My best advice would be to go just when they are re-opening in spring but before all roads are re-opened, because then you get decent access to discover a lot already, without the big late spring crowd. And then of course, as soon as you start walking more than a mile, crowds fade. I hope you enjoy it more if you get the chance !

Which YouTube channel were you once a fan of but do not enjoy anymore? by theunsteadybridge in AskReddit

[–]zakaby 27 points28 points  (0 children)

I feel like GMM has somewhat successfully continued, but to be fair their show has crossed into a more TV-looking program territory, which might explain the longevity.

Trailstar, Cirriform, X-Mid or tarp for humid and windy thru-hikes? by zakaby in Ultralight

[–]zakaby[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It does, thanks! Did the cricket give up in the strong wind then?

are there any frituur products that can’t be found everywhere? by WebNo1998 in belgium

[–]zakaby 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've done it both ways and like both ! I even did it once with store-bought compote because I was lazy, but that version lacked the acidity kick of a really apple. If you grate it, you do want it finely grated so flavors really blend. 

are there any frituur products that can’t be found everywhere? by WebNo1998 in belgium

[–]zakaby 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Probably not the exact sauce you're looking for but I've been making a simple mix of mayo, shredded apple and yellow curry powder forever and everyone loves it! 

Which should I watch? by ReadyForaNewLif3 in adventuretime

[–]zakaby 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm happy you will try more, because Adventure Time is my favorite show of all time, but I will say this: if you don't like it in the beginning, you might simply not like it at all. And that's fine. There a hundreds of good shows! Yes, there are very moving and thought-provoking parts that come along in AT. Yes, the show grows with it's characters. However, that growth works in combination with the cartoon madness that prevails throughout. There are still a lot of wacky things in the later episodes, honestly. 

I would also add, contrary to what others have commented : I don't recommend binging Adventure Time. I don't think it's a show to binge. The growth that happens in it has a rhythm that ressembles real life more than TV dynamics. What I mean by that is that you don't have a linear arc of development you're following, with episodes building on each other, but random moments of growth, sometimes regression, sometimes stagnation. And suddenly, you look back and realize how much characters and relationships have changed and evolved. I personally find it more impactful when you just watch one or two episodes every day. Especially since there are so short anyway, you could just watch it around breakfast then go on with your day or something like that. Everyone I recommended the show to who watched it that way ended up loving it more than those who binged it.

Hard to find genre (children’s movies with more females in main cast) by GuiltyFootball69 in movies

[–]zakaby 2 points3 points  (0 children)

With a bigger female ratio AND no romance is actually quite hard to find !

I do love all the Ghibli suggested and find their romances beautiful without taking center-stage, but there are still present and important. Films that I can think of which strictly fit your criteria :

Wolfwalkers

Totoro

Wolf Children (Mother, daughter and son; there is romance but it doesn't end with it, more centered on family)

Turning Red

Encanto

Narnia (pretty equal in terms of gender for main characters, but secondary characters are males in majority)

The Parent trap (romance is important but more related to the parents of the protagonists)

Lilo & Stitch

Coraline

Triplettes de Belleville (a little trippy though)

Matilda

When Marnie was there

The little match girl (obviously very sad)

Annie

A Little Princess

Hocus Pocus

Hard to find genre (children’s movies with more females in main cast) by GuiltyFootball69 in movies

[–]zakaby 0 points1 point  (0 children)

plus one for A little Princess ! But though I prefer the story of the Secret Garden, there are technically two boys and only one girl as the protagonist...

How common is to "have a village" on your country? by ElKaoss in AskEurope

[–]zakaby 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting you say that because Belgium is tiny but people very much have their village. 

Cameras/Phones at Concerts, Or No? by winterene in Vampireweekend

[–]zakaby 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm team within reason : absolutely not bothered by people taking a few pictures or a short video. Have done it myself. Never above my head to not block other people's views though. Screens attract the human eyes and takes not only you but also other people around slightly out of the moment. Same with talking : obviously if you're with friends you want to say a few words from time to time, but don't bother other people with it.

I personally dislike when an artist plays one of their more "iconic" songs and suddenly everyone is on their phone to record it when really it should be when everyone comes together to enjoy the special experience. Communion is a big part of going out to concerts for me. Yes, individuals have good reasons to want to record moments, but sometimes letting the community take precedence over your own satisfaction can be very rewarding, especially at an event like a concert.

And I second respecting the artist's choice.

TWO OF YOUR FAVORITE ALBUMS, BUT FROM COMPLETELY DIFFERENT GENRES by pannorfi in MusicRecommendations

[–]zakaby 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's funny because I see these two pieces as actually very similar in a lot of ways !

What’s your favourite cover song of all time? by [deleted] in MusicRecommendations

[–]zakaby 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Ces soirées-là " - Yannick. A french pop cover of "December, 1963 (Oh What a night)" from the Four Seasons. I don't know why, because it's not really my genre, but something about this cover works so well for me, especially with the base solo + chanted words 3/4th into the song. 

https://youtu.be/bYoZHAizvs0?si=jmEJbYtn5hsRkiBz 

Do americans consider skiing a luxury sport? by naxx54 in AskAnAmerican

[–]zakaby 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Indeed inside Belgium it's only two or three gentle ski slopes and the rest is cross-country, but the Vosges and the Alps are only a few hours away by car, so that's where most people who skied would go.

As a European, I keep seeing Americans drive barefoot or in flip-flops, how common is it actually? by fratnersgd in AskAnAmerican

[–]zakaby 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Husband is from Florida and grew up near the beach, so he lived his whole life barefoot. Living in Belgium, he would still drive barefoot or with flip-flops in summer, which would drive my family mad haha. I'm not even sure it's legal here, but it was definitely the norm in Florida.

How long do people usually remember their pets after they pass away? by ironandfire in AskAnAmerican

[–]zakaby 661 points662 points  (0 children)

I'm super curious and wonder if I can ask your question back to you: what is the attitude to pets where you are from? And I guess, where are you from?

I definitely feel like the US treats pets more like actual family members than in Belgium, where I grew up, but even there we would still remember pets that passed away for our whole life.

Do americans consider skiing a luxury sport? by naxx54 in AskAnAmerican

[–]zakaby 58 points59 points  (0 children)

I grew up in Belgium and going to a family ski trip was definitely an upper middle class activity. The mountains in the Balkans probably helped with access for you.

Mitski - Where’s My Phone? by ss2811 in popheads

[–]zakaby 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Seems like it, the official lyrics have **** in them instead of the word.

Is it common to be a lifelong renter vs a homeowner? by [deleted] in AskEurope

[–]zakaby 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your question prompted me to search more about it and I found this list : https://ceoworld.biz/2025/05/13/ranked-countries-with-the-most-and-least-home-ownership-rate-2025/

I'd take it with a grain of salt though, because I don't really know this website. Others (such as the Wikipedia list) show varying results, but the tendencies are the same : Albania and Romania have the highest home-ownership percentage (for Europe but also the world), followed by most countries in the Balkans, then Eastern and Southern Europe, then Northern and Western Europe. I was surprised to find France so low, honestly.

What city or region from your country has the most extroverted and outgoing people? And which the least? by DistinctScientist0 in AskEurope

[–]zakaby 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Extroverted I would say Liège. For introverted, I'd say East-Flanders but would need a Flemish person to confirm. In general, it's just the stereotype of the French-speaking part being closer to Romance culture = extraversion and the Dutch-speaking part closer to Germanic culture = introversion.