apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

since mine is about 1 1/2 hours away, i make a list and do the whole "in and out" thing as fast as possible. i'm not really concerned about the goings on around me..too focused on the task at hand..

I've found that after waiting in line and making purchases, if you stop, get a cone of the frozen yogurt, sit on one of the couches that is by the exit and eat it, things go much better.

By the time you've bought the stuff, you're ready to smack someone and stopping for fifteen minutes to eat an ice cream makes all the difference. Packing is much less painful, and the drive home doesn't involve tense silence or road rage, and the next time you want to go your last memory will be of eating ice cream.

I'm going to have to go to Ikea fairly soon.

Yes! We don't fight ourselves, but we noticed the number of couples arguing long ago and we count them (discretely) as we walk through.

When I used to shop at IKEA - I got in, got it and got out. (with a lay-over for meatballs & french fries)

I would see miserable parents folks dragging their screaming/unhappy/hungry/thirsty children around (There's a play room for them, you know...), couples "debating" White or Black/Brown (you can guess who wants what color), older folks complaining about the size/quality (What do you expect for a $29.95 dresser???) and other people would get off the escalators - and just stop.

If course IKEA brings alot on itself - with items that are constantly out of stock/discontinued, long lines and workers who often haven't got a clue.

I call it "Ikea Rage" and I see it all the time.

I don't know about arguments, but I think Ikea causes pregnancy. If you go during the week around 75% of the people there are pregnant women!

I think you meant "breeding ground," not "breading ground." Also, "we like to be completely across what we’re there for" makes no sense.

Irritating grammar aside, yes, I've definitely noticed that IKEA seems to be one of those places that people either love or hate, and when you get groups of people in there without a game plan, it can get nasty. After all, how many square feet IS your average IKEA? I know I've never spent less than an hour there, game plan or not, and I'm generally surprisingly tired by the end of it. It's easy to get irritable on any shopping spree that takes that long, and it doesn't help when you and the person you're with have two different ideas of what you should get. Definitely plan beforehand, unless you're just casually shopping for ideas in the showroom.

i sadly have had ikea rage :(

but in my defense- the cable company ruined our day and completely messed up my plans! we would have been at Ikea at 9am but because of the stupid cable company, we didnt get there until 4pm!!! so i would just say, dont go when you are in a bad mood. i got so frustrated that i actually yelled not really at him, but to/near him- really hurt my SO's feelings- SHAME ON TW!!!
(sorry to my baby!)

As one who goes to IKEA a lot, I never noticed this. Maybe because I've just been so focused on my own stuff and trying to avoid the 8 billion kids running around. I will definitely look for this the next time I'm there. This could be a whole new experience!

I don't see fighting people so much as the screaming children. It drives me crazy. Why do people think they can let their kid scream at the top of their lungs because it's Ikea?

We don't fight, but my husband would rather light himself on fire than go to Ikea.

My closest Ikea is an hour and a half away so I don't mind spending an afternoon meandering through it. Before I go though, I usually have a 'game plan' -- a list of items I'm interested in seeing and measurements for the spaces I think they'd go well in. Makes the trip easier. Also, I check the packaging dimensions online so that I know which car to bring. One time, I went specifically to pick up a 4x4 Expedit shelf set and the car I had was too small to haul it home! I was so ticked at myself for not getting specs on it before leaving my house!

The observations about the arguing couples and the pregnant women ring so true for the Portland Ikea. Seriously.

Allsunday--

JennyB is obviously from Australia - and the phrase "to be completely across" is a colloquialism that roughly means "to have planned ahead" if I remember correctly.

IKEA has definitely been a source of disagreement between my boyfriend and I. Our first trip to IKEA together and his take on IKEA is chronicled on his humour blog:
http://robotmantheblog.com/2007/01/29/today-i-was-kidnapped-and-taken-to-ikea

(who doesn't love the little room vignettes)

I actually had to call security over to interveen with a mid-forties couple because the husband was swearing loudly at his wife and threatening to hurt her. It was scary that he wasn't even trying to be subtle with his threats in such a public place.

It's like Disneyland - a lot to see, a lot to do. Screaming kids. Couples arguing.

I wonder how many fights occur post-Ikea visit. If there was a couples Survivor type reality show, one of the trials should be assembling Ikea bunkbeds.

One of the secrets to a happy relationship- Never put anything together together.

Haha. As a recently pregnant woman and part of an arguing couple, I guess I'm your stereotypical Ikea shopper.

We had a big argument over whether the Ikea "small space" was bigger or smaller than our small space...all the while, other shoppers were trying to take a peek at the space themselves.

From now on, we'll try to be more zen with the meatballs.

bepsf -

Thanks for the clarification! I've never heard that one before.

The fun stops when you have to put the damned stuff together -- otherwise -- it's fun, as long as you don't have to drive three hours to return/exchange things, as happened to me in Chicago. But don't get me wrong. I love Ikea.

yes, I'm guilty of it myself, not to mention when you get it home and try to put it together...there is some serious rage there.

hahahaha. i was just talking about this with my coworkers. My boyfriend and I absolutely get ikea rage- but we are pretty good at warding it off by packing snacks and plenty of water- and NEVER going to ikea with a hangover.

Funny, I was just there a week and a half ago and I was noticing a high proportion of young, happy-looking, kissy-touchy couples. That and lots of pregnant women! I was surmising that it's the first stop in Nesting.

The one and only time my husband and I went to IKEA, he told me that under no circumstances would he ever go into that store again. We didn't have a fight while there, but it would be WWIII if I ever asked him to go again.

My partner and I got into our biggest fight, more of a disagreement, in Ikea over potted plants in the apartment. He argued that every plant he's ever owned has died and I just really wanted to warm the place up. I finally got him to cave in on the plants but they are totally my responsibility. I'm proud to report that at least 9 months later, the plants and our relationship are still alive, and we continue to laugh about our argument in the middle of Ikea.

My husband calls it "The Store From Hell". Our first experience was overseas. We had to drive an hour and a half thru crazy Spanish traffic to get there. My husband was already at the end of his rope when we pulled into the parking garage... it was a long, looooong time before I could get him to go back. Now we're in San Diego, just down the street from one and he shudders every time we drive by it.

wow hubby and I have definately had ikea rage.

I make like fizzyizzy and never fail to pack snacks (salty and sweet, since you never know what you'd be in the mood for over the course of um 3 hours, minimum) and water, esp. to prevent myself from wringing someone's neck when the line for the 50-cent hotdog is half an hour long and I'm about to faint from hunger (which was the subject of a non-measurement, non-furniture-related fight).

Hmm, if driving a long distance is part of your Ikea experience, then I can understand the short fuses. Me, I'm single, I live across the freeway from it, I know the ins and outs of it, the shortcuts, and what hours NOT to go. I've made friends in certain departments, so saying hi to whoever I run into is part of the visit.

That said, my visits are for the most part painless, but there are times, and it's usually the kids screaming (and every other thing they do, arrghh) that challenge my patience. People bitching about not receiving the kind of service they would expect at a department store, going when everyone else is going....it all adds up to the suburban nightmare of mediocrity that I work very hard to steer clear of in my life.

i had never set foot inside an ikea store until last year!

we needed to visit a camping store that was right next to a huge brand new ikea and i couldn't help but drag my poor partner in to have a look around. it was a horrible miserable raiding day and he was suffering from a cold, i don't think he has ever forgiven me for dragging him over the entire display room circuit.

we would have looked hilarious to anyone in the store, him grumbling around sniffling, begging me to take a shortcut out of the store and me bubbling around excitedly pointing at everything, smiling and asking for his opinions.

"ohh look at that shelf, do you like that self!"
"i can see the exit over there"
"what about that table, its only $45!"
"i want to go home"

Oh, that's so funny! I call it "Ikea Rage" too, but I swear I've never heard anyone else say it. I blame it on gobs of people clogging the aisles and oogling merchandise when I'm just trying to get what I need and go. Also the screaming, running children don't help.

we used to live within 20 minutes of an ikea- and my husband swears that moving AWAY was the best decision we've ever made. after the first few trips with him, we've decided that it's maybe not the best place to go together :)

the shopping carts are the worst- and the thing that ends up being the most frustrating part of the whole trip!

the last time we went together, we were following the maze with another couple who was arguing about going home and playing xBox the whole time. (obviously the husband wanted to, and the wife did not.)

i do love the store, but you most definitely be prepared to walk into a war zone. especially on weekends.

infamous internet feminist vlog about her trip to Austin Ikea:

http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2008/08/13/spinster-aunt-cuts-blogular-corners-by-making-another-dorky-video-this-time-about-her-outing-to-a-giant-human-demoralization-center/

So, yeah. Ikea rage.

oh you think its bad shopping there...try working there...as a cashier! I couldn't make up half the stuff I encountered.

It's been awesome reading the responses to this! I never quite thought about it while THERE... but I know there has been a disgusting amount of arguing going on:)

We never really argue about measurements... but then I get upset if I'm really considering on buying something and then realize "oh shit, I don't have a truck." That's about the extent of our "meltdowns."

Ah, oh well. ^.^

Video of two men brawling at Ikea (full-on shopping cart rage):
http://digg.com/extreme_sports/Shopping_Cart_Road_Rage


Riot at Ikea, five people hospitalized:
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-16511541-details/Chaos at Ikea opening/article.do

My hubby and I have agreed to buy only fabric from Ikea. Everything else has been a disaster.

My husband and I had a particularly frustrating (but in hindsight hilarious) ikea "should have measured" moment trying to fit an expedit into our small car. It involved much swearing, tetris-like packing and unpacking to try and wriggle it in, finally fitting it and realising I couldnt actually get into the car, the whole thing sliding out the door and onto the ground, and finally culminated in me sitting in the carpark with half the pack while hubby took the other half home before coming back to get me.

An expedit bookshelf should be compulsary marriage preparation for all engaged couples - if you can build one and not kill one another, it was meant to be.

Haha too funny. We just went to Ikea tonight (it's best on a weeknight). And the empty store and pre-shopping dinner of the yummy meatballs didn't even stop the inevitable Ikea fight. My fiance and I have one almost every time we go, and we only live about 15 minutes from the one in college park, md. Tonight we were JUST doing research, looking and measuring and deciding on a new kitchen table and computer desk that can share the same area....after about 30 minutes he was done. He got really cranky as usual and stopped listening and gave big sighs every time I asked him to look at something. He called me unreasonable for not liking something he liked and I called him frustrating for not being cooperative. I'm sure we were quite the entertainment for some people tonight. This is what comes when we have limited funds to spend on furniture and different decorating styles. Sorry everyone, just had to vent!

I have always thought that if you spend a certain amount of money at Ikea they should provide you with a therapy hotline for the arguments that will ensue during the furniture assembly!

I notice that everyone who shops at Ikea alone says they don't mind it -- and that all the couples say they quarrel.

Obviously, the best approach is to alternate visits.

How you deal with the 'putting together' issue is something a little different.

When I moved into my new apartment, my dad and boyfriend were in charge of putting together the furniture that took more than one person. My boyfriend is a southerner and the deference he HAS to show keeps my dad calm and wards off arguments. Maybe when you get past your 20s this no longer works, though.

nothing more to say---it's all been said :-)

Our Ikea is 7 hours away, but there is always a trip to Ikea when we come to town. When we first arrive we go straight to the Restaurant for meatballs haha!

It's a vicious cycle: From the Ikea trip you get the Ikea rage, which results in Ikea quarrels. If you're lucky or it was minor enough you get an Ikea make up sex, which produces Ikea babies, who in turn grow up to be Ikea children screaming and and going nuts during Ikea trips. And you thought they only sell particleboard furniture, amazing lighting, and Swedish meatballs.

From the other side of the world: Ikea rage happen all the time in Norway too... :) I particularly dislike the part where we try to fit everything in our car. To prevent the rage, we always start the trip in the restaurant, making sure our blood sugar levels are up. We have also promised that when we have children, we will not "_just_ stop by on the way home from kindergarten". It doesn't work that way, parents! (feeling a little ikea-rage coming on just by thinking about it...)

How can you have an agrument over a measurement???

If the thing is bigger than the space, then it wont fit - 'nuf said!

Wow! I've never witnessed this at my local Ikea. Perhaps it is a regional phenomenon.

I only shop by myself at Ikea, because it's easier than dragging a whiner there by the ear. However, when I get home and he tries to "help" me assemble whatever I bought . . . well, that gets ugly.

I've had two types of IKEA Rage:

1. Boyfriend hates going there with me, particularly when we used to have to take the shuttle from Port Authority to head out to the Elizabeth IKEA (pre-Brooklyn). He also hates getting the meatballs, but can be easily calmed down with a 99 cent frozen yogurt.

2. I had to return an item at IKEA Brooklyn last week and two people decided not to abide by the deli counter number system and cut right in front of me when my number was next to be called. Let's just say words were had. I also had about four people cut in and ask one of the showroom employees a question while he was in the process of looking up product availability for me. Roar.

I think IKEA is to furniture shopping what New Years Eve is to party-going... people not typically accustomed to shopping for or buying furniture, so nerves fray easily. Add to that the typical weekend crowds (and low stock because of it) and you have a recipe for meltdowns and temper tantrums...

But for me, IKEA is still a fun way to spend an afternoon.

we always make jokes about a trip to ikea equalling a guaranteed fight!
my husband promises to go with me soon... we'll see if we can make it through arguement-free...

I HATE going to ikea. I wish their whole home delivery wasn't so jacked up. I have been putting off an ikea run because I'm always near tears by the time I get to the end. I hate the whole maze quality and then if you forget one thing at the begining...oh lord. that is why I haven't been in like 2 years.

I used to really enjoy going to IKEA. I believe all of my recent frustrations and IKEA rage have to do with the specific store and its staff. I swear dealing with customer service at IKEA brooklyn is one of the worst buying experiences of my life.

My girlfriend and I have agreed to never get anything from there we can't take home ourselves. And i do love thy meatballs :)

Wow I can't even get the BF to go to the grocery store with me.... I would NEVER try and coerce him into an Ikea trip. I learned my lesson going with a girlfriend who had a small child a few times.... I spent the entire trip watching her toddler, and trying to keep him from jamming the shoppping cart into displays and other shoppers.

Now I go on my own, as soon as they open on Saturday mornings.... I bring my patience and my cup of coffee, and dont purchase anythign I cant lift into my car myself. It's great.

IKEA shopping is easier with a couple of cocktails in you.

Maybe if there would be less arguments if competent salespeople were available to answer questions. The last time I drove 1 1/2 hours to my closest Ikea, I could not fine anyone to help me in the kitchen section, making my visit a complete
waste of time. On top of that, the store is a maze, and it took me forever to find my way to the check-out/exit. Bad store design and non-existent customer service definitely make for frayed nerves, something cheap meatballs can't make up for.

I'm a flatpack goddess with a severe addiction to Ikea (seriously, give me an Allen key and I'll build you a masterpiece!), so I'm usually the one dragging my poor bemused Mum through the place going, "Ooh, the Grono lamp would go perfectly in my room!" (it does) and, "Hmm, the Expedit is more expensive, but it also looks a LOT cooler than the Billy..." (I love my Expedit!)

And taking everything home and unpacking and putting it all together is the fun part! ...Granted, after putting a 2x4 Expedit and a four-drawer Malm in an afternoon (and, the day after, my sister's Leirvik double bed and my brother's Flarke computer table), the centres of my palms were so red from using the screwdriver too much that I looked like I had stigmata, but it was SO worth it!

So basically, arguing is for people who don't read the catalogue for fun.

Reminds me of the time I had to talk my roommate out of buying a seriously heinous chair for our living room from there... another time my mom simply refused to pay the tab if I picked out a certain rug... or were they curtains? I don't recall exactly, but it was definitely an all-out brawl.

Other than that, I've had smooth smooth sailing through IKEA with just me, myself, and I!

I've only taken my boyfriend to IKEA Melbourne once. I only go on my own or with my mum when she visits now.