Daily Archives: September 4, 2009

This article about IKEA and Chinese people resonates with me. I don’t know why, but I guess it means that I really am Chinese!

Like these people in Beijing, I don’t mind going to Ikea just for the experience (much to Pauline’s chagrin). I wouldn’t say I am crazy like the Chinese though (although unfortunately this is incredibly believable):

Every weekend, thousands of looky-loos pour into the massive showroom to use the displays. Some hop into bed, slide under the covers and sneak a nap; others bring cameras and pose with the decor. Families while away the afternoon in the store for no other reason than to enjoy the air conditioning.

I especially love how the “cheapness” of the Chinese is captured:

It was the prospect of a satisfying and inexpensive meal that brought Luo Jing and her mother, sister and boyfriend into IKEA for the first time one Saturday. The group was resting in the sofa section, each carrying waxy paper cups worn in by one soda refill after another.

and

IKEA has the added challenge of copycats. Brazen customers are known to come in with carpenters armed with measuring tapes to make replicas. Zhang, the office manager visiting with his family, said he bought a TV table and a couch elsewhere that looked just like IKEA furniture.

“Why spend so much money when you can have the same thing cheaper?” he said.

and finally, how is this not me?

On another day, He Peng showed up with his compact Sony digital camera, which he uses to snap Beijing’s modern landmarks. He shot the Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium and the Apple Store in a tony outdoor shopping mall, then set his sights on IKEA.

“There’s so much great stuff here,” said He, 23. “I didn’t know where to start.”

He photographed his friends beating each other with stuffed toys. Then he methodically went through the store, snapping away at beds, kitchen counters and even the extra-long hot dogs at the snack bar.

Posted by Kevin in Blogs Tags: chinese, ikea