Comments on: Brussels: isn’t it just grey? http://www.jonworth.eu/brussels-isnt-it-just-grey/ Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:53:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Richard Coxon http://www.jonworth.eu/brussels-isnt-it-just-grey/comment-page-1/#comment-63959 Richard Coxon Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:55:58 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/brussels-isnt-it-just-grey/#comment-63959 Hi Jon, welcome to Brussels. Having also moved from London - but 3 years ago - I agree that it is a small, grey, damp city in the winter. In the summer, if there is one, it is a small, bright, humid city. It is possible to live in the centre of town, without being a city banker or a rent boy, and walk everywhere. There are fab restaurants, good cinemas, and Radio 4 on Long Wave. But the pavements are full of holes, the metro looks like the 1970s never went away (and has never been cleaned) and the shops shut when you want them to be open. My first country where the shops are open 0930-1730 Mon-Sat and closed Sundays. Insane. Hi Jon, welcome to Brussels. Having also moved from London – but 3 years ago – I agree that it is a small, grey, damp city in the winter. In the summer, if there is one, it is a small, bright, humid city.

It is possible to live in the centre of town, without being a city banker or a rent boy, and walk everywhere. There are fab restaurants, good cinemas, and Radio 4 on Long Wave.

But the pavements are full of holes, the metro looks like the 1970s never went away (and has never been cleaned) and the shops shut when you want them to be open. My first country where the shops are open 0930-1730 Mon-Sat and closed Sundays. Insane.

]]> By: Stine http://www.jonworth.eu/brussels-isnt-it-just-grey/comment-page-1/#comment-62151 Stine Fri, 16 Nov 2007 10:53:02 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/brussels-isnt-it-just-grey/#comment-62151 I love Brussels! Besides, today is anything but grey! Nice blog ;) I love Brussels! Besides, today is anything but grey!

Nice blog ;)

]]> By: Alejandro http://www.jonworth.eu/brussels-isnt-it-just-grey/comment-page-1/#comment-61959 Alejandro Thu, 15 Nov 2007 22:05:08 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/brussels-isnt-it-just-grey/#comment-61959 That's the criteria that more people should use Jon...I share your perspective beyond my obvious reasons That’s the criteria that more people should use Jon…I share your perspective beyond my obvious reasons

]]> By: Jon http://www.jonworth.eu/brussels-isnt-it-just-grey/comment-page-1/#comment-61955 Jon Thu, 15 Nov 2007 21:54:23 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/brussels-isnt-it-just-grey/#comment-61955 There's no particular reason, other than that's how those individuals define their background themselves. It's not a political statement of any kind from me. There’s no particular reason, other than that’s how those individuals define their background themselves. It’s not a political statement of any kind from me.

]]> By: G http://www.jonworth.eu/brussels-isnt-it-just-grey/comment-page-1/#comment-61761 G Thu, 15 Nov 2007 08:32:36 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/brussels-isnt-it-just-grey/#comment-61761 Why do you mention Catalans while you do not say Bavarian, Flemish or Scotish?? Best regards Why do you mention Catalans while you do not say Bavarian, Flemish or Scotish??
Best regards

]]> By: Jon http://www.jonworth.eu/brussels-isnt-it-just-grey/comment-page-1/#comment-61323 Jon Wed, 14 Nov 2007 08:42:44 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/brussels-isnt-it-just-grey/#comment-61323 You're quite right Mary - it's not a real world here. But I do like it! I don't think my post had more serious political implications than that. You’re quite right Mary – it’s not a real world here. But I do like it! I don’t think my post had more serious political implications than that.

]]> By: Mary http://www.jonworth.eu/brussels-isnt-it-just-grey/comment-page-1/#comment-61172 Mary Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:58:54 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/brussels-isnt-it-just-grey/#comment-61172 There's an issue here about communication that I think is really important. One of the problems with perceptions of the EU in the UK is that successive governments have failed to make the case for it. And where are all the really committed Europeans....? In Brussels, hanging out with the converted. Obviously I'm being deliberately provocative, but I know from my own experience that when you move away from the UK it's very easy to look back accross the Channel with a degree of pity/condescension for a nation of monolingual xenophobes while you get on with building your personal European utopia in microcosm. So enjoy Brussels but don't forget us, it may not be long before we need your help! There’s an issue here about communication that I think is really important. One of the problems with perceptions of the EU in the UK is that successive governments have failed to make the case for it. And where are all the really committed Europeans….? In Brussels, hanging out with the converted. Obviously I’m being deliberately provocative, but I know from my own experience that when you move away from the UK it’s very easy to look back accross the Channel with a degree of pity/condescension for a nation of monolingual xenophobes while you get on with building your personal European utopia in microcosm. So enjoy Brussels but don’t forget us, it may not be long before we need your help!

]]> By: Jeremy Hargreaves http://www.jonworth.eu/brussels-isnt-it-just-grey/comment-page-1/#comment-60709 Jeremy Hargreaves Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:27:31 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/brussels-isnt-it-just-grey/#comment-60709 You are making this bloke you have left behind in London, very envious! :) You are making this bloke you have left behind in London, very envious! :)

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