On Sunday the MOTH (man of the house) and I ventured down to IKEA. We needed to find storage solutions for our bedroom having just purchased a new bed. The previous bed was an ensemble so we only had a couple of centimetres between the base and carpet (meant we never had monsters under the bed) and now we have about 25cms clearance.
Firstly let me say I like to buck the system when I can so take delight in IKEA of going against the tide of sheeple following the arrows. IKEA tragic's would understand that you enter via the revolving doors, grab a tape measure, note paper and pencil then head up the escalator (how my store is designed) turn left and start following the arrows through the various room layouts. Meandering along the walkways you end up at the cafe where you scoff down a plate of meatballs, then down the escalator to the lower ground or market hall as they call it.
Now we learnt that if you get to the top of the escalator and turn right it takes you to the Cafe where we turn left and commence walking against the throng of people coming towards us. Yes, yes, small things amuse small minds!
Anyway, let's bring this back to the point of my blog today. We hit up the cafe eager for a plate of meatballs and a slice of their apple cake washed down with a flat white. We found a table with two spare seats at the end and sat down. The other end of the table had two ladies who were chatting each other with food in front of them but also plates of food in front of the two vacant seats, one looked to be a schnitzel and mashed spuds, the other a plate of chips and meatballs.
Eventually a man and his Son, a lad around 8 years old, turned up and sat down but only for a second before both got up and wandered off. They returned, the lad sat down then said he needed a drink so they both took off again. Meantime I am thinking their lunch is going cold - yuk!
Back again they took their seats and the boy began to eat his chips. The Man looked down at his plate and said to his wife "why did you buy this?" I am not sure of her reply as it was mumbled but he wasn't happy. He started to dress her down about purchasing food without consulting him first and asking if he wanted anything (he wasn't yelling, just a normal voice) but we could hear given we were sitting there too. His wife said nothing, looked embarrassed but kept eating, the other Lady seated at the table with them looked uncomfortable too. Eventually the wife said "just eat a bit then, you will be hungry later", that didn't go down well as he replied "don't tell me how I will feel later".
Talk about awkward, the MOTH and I exchanged glances and just kept eating.
Given I am a peace maker I wanted to intervene, offer up a solution (can we buy your lunch) or suggest they ask for a doggy bag to take it away, however the sensible me kept my mouth shut and decided moving tables and causing a potential scene wasn't ideal.
Another concern was it escalating, him getting louder or aggressive and the MOTH deciding he was going to step in, man to man. I was overthinking this - public brawl in the IKEA cafe!!!!
We finished our cakes, drained our coffee and departed the table, I thought about saying "have a nice day" to them but refrained.
Don't you hate public domestics?