In the UK we are blessed with some of the most convenient shopping facilities and opening hours that you could hope for. We have mega supermarkets open 24 hours on six days a week, retail parks and shopping centres which open on Sundays and during public holidays and late night opening. We also have sales practically non-stop, or so it would seem. In fact it is so good that you almost don't have to think about whether or not the shops will be open or not.
Belgium, the shops shut on public holidays, sales are strictly controlled, some supermarkets have only just grasped the concept of opening until 20.00! There are days during the week where some shops are closed, this compensates for being open on Saturday. In smaller towns they close at lunchtime, although this varies. If you want to shop you have to check to make sure they are open, you have to actually plan ahead and think about it! I have been out before and the sodding shop was shut for stocktake during the day! There is not much consideration for the customer, they are just there to buy the stuff and competition is a dirty word.
Do you remember the good old days when we used to distinguish between January and Summer sales? Well they do here. You will only find closing down sales if the shop is actually closing down! There are perks, in a lot of shops they will either have a gift wrapping service or a gift wrapping area. In fact this adds delay to those who just want to get on with it, but then it is a very professional finish to buying a gift. You also have sweets on offer at the counter, when I first saw this I was not sure if I would be charged for having one. Now, however, I take advantage and have one every now and again. they are at the till so please don't go clearing supermarket shelves thinking it is free!
The main hazard with shopping is avoiding being run over by pensioners on bicycles as they go about their business. Actually in all seriousness do look out for bikes as they are ruthless. I must also point out that there is no such thing as a queue in a shop, be ready to just dodge ahead of some unsuspecting customer who has looked away for a millisecond. It is quite odd though that they have a ticketing system in some shops, it is like one extreme to the other.
My personal view is that there is not enough competition and range of products available when you go shopping. It is not the internet effect either as it has yet to really take hold the way it has in the UK. If you are looking for something specific then you definitely need to know where to look.
When you are out and about please be careful when using zebra crossings, drivers will not stop whilst you are waiting to cross, you have to be bold and step out. They then get rather upset when they have to then stop. If you stand there then you will be waiting till the cows come home. Cyclists do not stop in any event they just ring their bells and expect you to jump out of the way, the temptation to push them over is quite strong!
In almost all of the bars and cafes I have been in they will come to the table to serve you and the tip is included in the bill you get, don't leave any extra unless you think they really do deserve it. Sadly, I have found that service is usually quite slow, maybe because they don't see the tip as an incentive (it already being charged regardless of the quality). I was once at a music festival in Leuven and the place was absolutely heaving. The four of us went to an Irish bar, which was also packed. I said to my friends that I would squeeze my way to the bar to get the drinks but they insisted that we sit at a table, which we managed to find somehow. Amazingly this waitress appeared and then took our order. Being a good Brit I ordered a pint of cider (one of the few places you can get them), my wife and the other friends ordered half pints. Now I think it is important to point out that one of them was a veteran paratrooper who had seen combat in the Congo and here he was ordering a half pint. The urge to call him a shandy drinking lightweight (or words to that effect) entered and left my head for a short period of time. Discretion was the better course here! Most beers are consumed in relatively small glasses. Although the glasses come in all sorts of shapes, which is linked to the beer you drink. We are simple creatures in the UK and for us the glass is a functional container that is easy to stack and store. You would be surprised at the fuss that can be created by not having the right glass available for the drink.
Anyway this blog has rather got out of control, I suppose as a bloke the link from shopping to drinking is quite logical and reasonable as our trips have often ended up in the bar somewhere, especially at Christmas!
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