Indians in real life live the rush life more furiously than Counter Strike players. If they’ve to board or depart a plane, they’ll rush. If they’ve to go to their respective religious shrines, they’ll rush. If they hear about a discount, they’ll rush. If they spot a celebrity, then they’ll just charge like there’s no tomorrow. So, there was no doubt that the first IKEA store’s response would be any different.
IKEA, a Swedish retail company, opened its first store in Hyderabad on Thursday. And going by the reception, Indians exceeded every expectation in the only way they know.
There were traffic jams. There was pushing and shoving. Everything that constitutes a public gathering in India, it was happening in IKEA Hyderabad. Because even after so many years, we think that if they don’t get somewhere first, it’ll disappear into thin air. And that theory applies to a gigantic mega store as well.
You can watch the video here:
#WATCH Stampede like situation at public opening of Swedish home furnishing brand #IKEA in Hyderabad, yesterday. pic.twitter.com/Ta5izho02E
— ANI (@ANI) August 10, 2018
Those who were smart enough to avoid the first wave of IKEA customers welcomed the store and also reacted to the stampede.
1. That was expected of him.
https://twitter.com/one_by_two/status/1027591423162372096
2. That’s not fair.
https://twitter.com/GabbbarSingh/status/1027567900054499330
3. That’s painfully true.
This madness at #Ikea opening today at Hyderabad looks like temple Darshan queue! 😳🤦🏻♀️🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/LZyKo5MZwQ
— Vrinda Prasad (@vrindaprasad) August 9, 2018
4. Now there’s video evidence as well.
Just received this on WhatsApp. First day of #Ikea in #Hyderabad.
Conclusion: India's consumption story is very much intact. pic.twitter.com/OoTztXgqkn
— Uday Tharar (@udaytharar) August 9, 2018
5. The reason is still being theorised by many scientists.
#IKEA opened it's first store in #India and people are congregating like it's Black Friday or Boxing day
pic.twitter.com/RnPeQHlqCd— Lebrown James (@Naa_Cheese) August 9, 2018
6. I think the people there had a similar reaction.
CAN YOU F’N BELIEVE THIS?
1st day of #IKEA opening in a major city in #India !!
I was like holy phuck 😂 pic.twitter.com/yjWJBrJyma
— IT-PermaBull 🇺🇸 🎯 (@IncredibleTrade) August 9, 2018
7. Or just live inside the furniture.
So happy that IKEA is finally in India. Their furniture is affordable, so we all can go buy a bed, sofa and other shit. Uske baad bas woh furniture rakhne ke liye ghar khareedna padega 2 crore ka.
— Akshar (@AksharPathak) August 9, 2018
8. That’s new information.
Height of Stupidity, did someone tell Hyderabadis that #Ikea giving free rice along with Mattresses? https://t.co/2SdiT2eeWK
— Harjeet (@IHarjeetR) August 10, 2018
9. Couldn’t have said it better.
The idea of किल्लत is so ingrained in the desi psyche
"OMG, khatam ho gaya toh dobara nahi milega!" https://t.co/X9LZ95K7PU— 20 lakh crore AtamNirbhaRatty (@YearOfRat) August 10, 2018
10. That must’ve been such a waste of time then.
https://twitter.com/KaptanHindustan/status/1027759302713520128
11. If paid prasad is a thing, then yes!
First day of IKEA opening in India.. Prasad batt raha tha kya? No seriously! pic.twitter.com/ZP87NeDzoz
— Freida Maggi Khalo🏳️🌈 (@yadudewhatever) August 10, 2018
I think it’s about time people understand that stores like these will keep coming and they’ll get to buy things till they die. But there’s no need to hasten that process by intentionally putting your life at risk in this way. IKEA is here to stay, so keep calm and explore it without causing a ruckus.