J’adore vous but I don’t care what you think. I like IKEA. The design aesthetic is
there and the prices make me happy. What
I do find unhappy about IKEA sometimes is the shopping experience. Not so much for myself as I’ve been there
enough times to know how to navigate it and have the self service thing pretty
much figured out.
I started
to notice others having a hard time with the whole experience. Particularly couples. And since I’m a professional anthropologist,
I theorize that IKEA is a relationship litmus test. (Look for the full-length
version, to be published in the School of Useless Opinions Journal.)
My theory
is that if you can survive a buying trip there, you can pretty much survive
any major event in your coupled life:
·
You
will discover who is the true Organizer.
This person is good at visualizing the stuff in your house and knowing
what to buy in the first place.
·
You
will discover if you are both Team Players.
If together you can navigate shifting 200lbs of MDF in a 9 foot long box
onto a 3 foot long rolling cart without losing a toe or a husband, you’re
golden.
·
You
will discover who is the true Planner. This
person may differ from the Organizer or may be the same person. Either way, they will be the one who
successfully takes charge of researching the catalogue, going online, measuring
first, making a list, recording what bin and aisle to pick up from when you’re
at the store, finding the bin and aisle when you finally go buy everything, etc.
·
You
will discover who is the Nurturer. The
first one to suggest that it’s time for a $1 hot dog and ice cream will take
care of you forever.
The second
part of my thesis will focus on what happens after you get home and have to put
the shit together! In the meantime, happy shopping.
kisses,
mh
