Visit Leuven - 5 Things You Will Love & Hate about Leuven, Belgium - Wolters World
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Date: 2022-02-04
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Comments and reviews: 10
Ian
While I haven't been to Leuven yet, I've been to Belgium many times and never encountered really bad, or even rude, service. Of course some bars, restaurants etc. are better or worse than others in this respect, but on average Belgian service is absolutely fine. Generally the Belgians are quite nice people, so why would waiters/waitresses be not? I also never witnessed open racism. OK, racists are everywhere, but Belgium is rather multicultural and liberal-minded. Let's say at least that it's surely no stronghold of racism.
Knowing Belgium and its charms I cannot imagine one day, or even half a day as suggested here, to be enough to explore Leuven -- or any Belgian city of a certain size. At most cities, someone with the slightest interest in architecture and history/historical sites will need two or three days to cover these alone, and often there are also places like botanical gardens to visit. Then there are the shopping facilities, and of course the comfy beer pubs to spent the odd relaxing hour in. Half a day? Never!
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While I haven't been to Leuven yet, I've been to Belgium many times and never encountered really bad, or even rude, service. Of course some bars, restaurants etc. are better or worse than others in this respect, but on average Belgian service is absolutely fine. Generally the Belgians are quite nice people, so why would waiters/waitresses be not? I also never witnessed open racism. OK, racists are everywhere, but Belgium is rather multicultural and liberal-minded. Let's say at least that it's surely no stronghold of racism.
Knowing Belgium and its charms I cannot imagine one day, or even half a day as suggested here, to be enough to explore Leuven -- or any Belgian city of a certain size. At most cities, someone with the slightest interest in architecture and history/historical sites will need two or three days to cover these alone, and often there are also places like botanical gardens to visit. Then there are the shopping facilities, and of course the comfy beer pubs to spent the odd relaxing hour in. Half a day? Never!
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Peter
As a Belgian guy from Leuven I am biased I know. This said. You are right about the bicycles. The politicians pampered them so much that they think they are the rulers of Leuven and think they can get away with everything. Too quite? I think that's a plus not a negative, but that's just me. I've been to very crowded places and sometimes you can't watch the famous architecture due to the crowd. Belgians rude in restaurants? Seldom had that experience but that's probably my Belgian nature. We Belgians hate fake friendliness for some extra bucks like the waiters do in American restaurants. They also don't try to get some more of your money wit some 'sad' story about their boss who doesn't pay them to much and stuff like they do in Paris and Rome. Belgian waiters know this and they leave you alone till you call them. But that is not being rude. That's respecting your privacy. And we Belgians like our privacy.
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As a Belgian guy from Leuven I am biased I know. This said. You are right about the bicycles. The politicians pampered them so much that they think they are the rulers of Leuven and think they can get away with everything. Too quite? I think that's a plus not a negative, but that's just me. I've been to very crowded places and sometimes you can't watch the famous architecture due to the crowd. Belgians rude in restaurants? Seldom had that experience but that's probably my Belgian nature. We Belgians hate fake friendliness for some extra bucks like the waiters do in American restaurants. They also don't try to get some more of your money wit some 'sad' story about their boss who doesn't pay them to much and stuff like they do in Paris and Rome. Belgian waiters know this and they leave you alone till you call them. But that is not being rude. That's respecting your privacy. And we Belgians like our privacy.
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Gualdina
I COMPLETLY DISAGREE WITH THIS VIDEO
I was in Leuven yesterday for the first time, and THIS VIDEO IS NOT CORRECT
THE 7 REASONS WHY!
I went to by some books and the guy in the store gave me a paper with stuff to do there.
I got food for half of the price in a restaurant because the guy was just that nice.
i got a discount on waffles asked for allot of toppings and only paid the waffle
. When i ask for information in a HEMA store the girl didn't know so she asked all of the clients and one person knew and came with me to street pointing the right direction.
And the end of the evening i went to the bar in the odd market it was so many people there i asked for a special Brazilian drink and the guy toke the time to search for the recipe and do it just for me.
so the service is actually pretty ok and people are really nice it just depends the way u treat them!
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I COMPLETLY DISAGREE WITH THIS VIDEO
I was in Leuven yesterday for the first time, and THIS VIDEO IS NOT CORRECT
THE 7 REASONS WHY!
I went to by some books and the guy in the store gave me a paper with stuff to do there.
I got food for half of the price in a restaurant because the guy was just that nice.
i got a discount on waffles asked for allot of toppings and only paid the waffle
. When i ask for information in a HEMA store the girl didn't know so she asked all of the clients and one person knew and came with me to street pointing the right direction.
And the end of the evening i went to the bar in the odd market it was so many people there i asked for a special Brazilian drink and the guy toke the time to search for the recipe and do it just for me.
so the service is actually pretty ok and people are really nice it just depends the way u treat them!
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Alex
Actually, most supermarkets (where you will find that bottle of water) are open until 20: 00. As for the non-food shops, many of them are open until 20: 00 on Thursday.
Also, I went through a few of your Europe and Belgium videos and personally, I've never experienced that horrible service you keep on badgering about.
You come in, get seated, receive your menu, make your choice, get served on time, get the time to enjoy your meal and pay. We only need them to pay attention to us three times in that whole operation (4 if we want a refill) and they're busy enough because they have a lot of clients to serve.
Based on what you have to say about terrible service here in Belgium, I can't wait to go to the US and experience what must be absolutely amazing service.
(And yes, I've had a student's job as a bartender and a waiter. why do you ask)
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Actually, most supermarkets (where you will find that bottle of water) are open until 20: 00. As for the non-food shops, many of them are open until 20: 00 on Thursday.
Also, I went through a few of your Europe and Belgium videos and personally, I've never experienced that horrible service you keep on badgering about.
You come in, get seated, receive your menu, make your choice, get served on time, get the time to enjoy your meal and pay. We only need them to pay attention to us three times in that whole operation (4 if we want a refill) and they're busy enough because they have a lot of clients to serve.
Based on what you have to say about terrible service here in Belgium, I can't wait to go to the US and experience what must be absolutely amazing service.
(And yes, I've had a student's job as a bartender and a waiter. why do you ask)
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Amir
I was student in Leuven for 3 years and I can say most of what you said is true, however I should disagree with you about the good international student environment there. That is just not true.
I was a biology student and god knows how difficult it was for me to even live in that university village!
I even remember once one of my professors told me that all the people coming from the south (I am Iranian) are lawbreakers and another one told me that we brought you here, to encourage our own Flemish students to compete with you. (Indeed we were only 5 foreign students in a class of 40 Flemish students.
Regarding integration, I would say that it was completely impossible to merge with Flemish students, they were just avoiding us!
If you like to have a good study experience abroad, definitely do not choose this city.
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I was student in Leuven for 3 years and I can say most of what you said is true, however I should disagree with you about the good international student environment there. That is just not true.
I was a biology student and god knows how difficult it was for me to even live in that university village!
I even remember once one of my professors told me that all the people coming from the south (I am Iranian) are lawbreakers and another one told me that we brought you here, to encourage our own Flemish students to compete with you. (Indeed we were only 5 foreign students in a class of 40 Flemish students.
Regarding integration, I would say that it was completely impossible to merge with Flemish students, they were just avoiding us!
If you like to have a good study experience abroad, definitely do not choose this city.
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Benonie
As a Belgian I love my country, but I have to agree with Wolter about service in restaurants. Of course there are nice waiters and waitresses, but too many of them don't seem to be interested in the customer at all. I'm a friendly person also in my job, so I expect them to be friendly too. Sometimes/often service is slow or half or the menu card is not available or they simply ignore or you.
There are worse countries in the world, but Belgians can do better!
I don't agree Wolter about Belgium seems to be a bit boring. There are more concert halls, music festivals and bars per square km than any other country in the world. Some of the best and biggest festivals in the world are held in Belgium, be it jazz, techno, metal, rock, world, folk, pop, reggae. every city or village has got at least one of them, mostly several.
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As a Belgian I love my country, but I have to agree with Wolter about service in restaurants. Of course there are nice waiters and waitresses, but too many of them don't seem to be interested in the customer at all. I'm a friendly person also in my job, so I expect them to be friendly too. Sometimes/often service is slow or half or the menu card is not available or they simply ignore or you.
There are worse countries in the world, but Belgians can do better!
I don't agree Wolter about Belgium seems to be a bit boring. There are more concert halls, music festivals and bars per square km than any other country in the world. Some of the best and biggest festivals in the world are held in Belgium, be it jazz, techno, metal, rock, world, folk, pop, reggae. every city or village has got at least one of them, mostly several.
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TheEkirlu
Sorry, but I cannot agree. I don't know who guided you in Leuven, but this person did a poor job giving you the impression that it isn't worth more than a half-day trip. - You have besides architecture and shopping a broad variety of things you can do, but you need to leave the inner city center. This was also six years ago the case: canoe trips, the botanical garden, the abbey parks, Heverlee forest, the museum, STUK. Two days to check this out and at least two more to relax and enjoy your time in an ancient Belgium city.
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Sorry, but I cannot agree. I don't know who guided you in Leuven, but this person did a poor job giving you the impression that it isn't worth more than a half-day trip. - You have besides architecture and shopping a broad variety of things you can do, but you need to leave the inner city center. This was also six years ago the case: canoe trips, the botanical garden, the abbey parks, Heverlee forest, the museum, STUK. Two days to check this out and at least two more to relax and enjoy your time in an ancient Belgium city.
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TempTheWriter
I live in Tienen (maybe fifteen minutes out from Leuven) and this is pretty accurate. You don't see as much disdain towards Asians much anymore (most fry shops and things are owned by Chinese now) and Leuven has a HUGE Asian community now. I'm an Asian American married to a Belgian, and I can find most everything I need for Vietnamese cooking in Leuven. I recommend your videos to all my friends heading to Europe, you're fantastic!
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I live in Tienen (maybe fifteen minutes out from Leuven) and this is pretty accurate. You don't see as much disdain towards Asians much anymore (most fry shops and things are owned by Chinese now) and Leuven has a HUGE Asian community now. I'm an Asian American married to a Belgian, and I can find most everything I need for Vietnamese cooking in Leuven. I recommend your videos to all my friends heading to Europe, you're fantastic!
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barvdw
No one has told you that the big(ger) supermarkets are open until 8 pm? When you're in Leuven, the next time, try the Delhaize at Naamsepoort. It's less than 10 minutes by bicycle, a little bit more going back, or Colruyt or Carrefour or Match. But you're right, we're used to shops closing at six (in smaller towns, it might even be 5, so we plan accordingly. For a foreigner, that might be uncommon.
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No one has told you that the big(ger) supermarkets are open until 8 pm? When you're in Leuven, the next time, try the Delhaize at Naamsepoort. It's less than 10 minutes by bicycle, a little bit more going back, or Colruyt or Carrefour or Match. But you're right, we're used to shops closing at six (in smaller towns, it might even be 5, so we plan accordingly. For a foreigner, that might be uncommon.
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Aisling
I moved to Leuven 5 days ago. You say in this that after the shops close its a 3 hour wait before you can go to the bar. The bars open 24/7 (or so I've been told) so there is the option to go straight there. Or, for tourists, there is the option to wander the city for a couple of hours just to see how beautiful it is. I did this last night and was overwhelmed by the beauty of Leuven.
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I moved to Leuven 5 days ago. You say in this that after the shops close its a 3 hour wait before you can go to the bar. The bars open 24/7 (or so I've been told) so there is the option to go straight there. Or, for tourists, there is the option to wander the city for a couple of hours just to see how beautiful it is. I did this last night and was overwhelmed by the beauty of Leuven.
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