I really do. There’s a lot to dislike about IKEA. I hate going in their stores, which are invariably horribly overcrowded, and having to meander through the sales floor to find whatever item I need. I hate that when we went to the one in Sindelfingen and had a cart full of stuff, we couldn’t use our credit card because that location wouldn’t accept American cards (this was in 2014 and we now have different cards). And then, when Bill tried to get cash from the ATM, the machine wouldn’t accept that, either, so we had to leave empty-handed after spending a couple of hellishly stressful hours shopping.

I also hate that almost everything has to be assembled, unless you are lucky enough to score one of their floor models. We do have an old TV stand that we bought at a U.S. based IKEA that was already put together when we got it. That was a coup, although the TV stand was made for those honkin’ big TVs that were the norm until we evolved to flatscreens.

We live really close to IKEA now, and aside from one or two trips there when we first moved to Wiesbaden, we don’t shop there. However, I’m thinking we might have to bite the bullet soon, because there are a few things we need. Unfortunately, in Europe, IKEA is kind of a necessary evil. Almost every single rental house we’ve stayed in over here has been at least partially decorated by IKEA because they’re ubiquitous and inexpensive.

Just now, I went to their Web site to see if they have anything we need. It detected my German IP address, but offered me a choice of languages. Or, at least that’s how it appeared at first… I was initially delighted that their site was going to make it easy for me. But it wasn’t to be.

It looks like I have a choice of languages, right? But I don’t. If I click where it offers me a choice, the drop down menu doesn’t work. So I am forced to use the site in German or, barring that, use Google Chrome, which will translate for me automatically. I know… I know… in the grand scheme of things, this isn’t a big deal. Just use Chrome, right? Except it annoys me that they appear to offer me a language preference, but don’t, actually. It’s kind of like that day when we loaded up our cart only to have our credit cards refused. Why have the option to choose a language if you’re not actually going to allow a language preference. What a tease!

I don’t like IKEA’s mod, overly plain style. Some of their stuff is kind of goofy looking. I prefer more classic looks in furniture, although that preference is definitely not notable in my art. I have some admittedly weird art in my house, which reflects my unconventional and off-color sense of humor. I also don’t like that so many people buy their furniture that it’s everywhere. Thanks to our ex house, I especially hate those cheap hanging paper lanterns they sell. They suck. They’re cheap, tacky, impractical, and fragile. I hate the way they look and I hate bumping into them. I hope I never live anywhere else that has them… well, if I have my way, I won’t.

I know some people love IKEA. It definitely has its place. If you like IKEA, more power to you. I just wish there were more alternatives to IKEA… Just had to say that. Maybe later, I’ll be back to write about something of substance, but for now, I’ve got IKEA on the brain.

Edited to add: My German friend reminds me that there ARE alternatives to IKEA here. It just doesn’t seem like it when everywhere you go, there’s IKEA shit spread around. Seriously, it’s unavoidable.