"0"^^ . "2"^^ . "2"^^ . "2015-01-08T00:00:00"^^ . . . "0"^^ . "For those with tendencies toward self-loathing or a serious lack of anything better to do, IKEA is wonderful. For everyone else it is an unnerving challenge.\n\nThe layout is a huge maze and you are the rat. The first time it is interesting, after that it's like, did I really need to come here and walk 8 km just to get candles with a Swedish name or a cheap breakfast?\n\nIf you are really hankering for punishment, come on the weekend. The first line you will wait in is just to ask a question. There are more after that. Parking is chaotic, as you are one of thousands who decided that going to IKEA on the weekend was a good idea.\n\nMost of the stuff is cheaper than average, yet it looks cheaper than average. Once you manage to get it home, spend hours putting it together or paying IKEA to do it, it doesn't look as nice next to the other stuff you bought at yard sales or inherited.\n\nThus, the dilemma. Do you buy everything you own at IKEA so it looks uniform and nice like the displays in the store? OR Do you come here to navigate lines, a huge maze, and loads of people with small kids who came here to spend the day just to buy things like wooden coat hangers, candles, or coffee mugs that are good items, but can be found almost anywhere?"^^ . .