Look, we’re not into stereotypes here. No one ever said men don’t enjoy shopping. But for most couples, the standard seems to be that women enjoy retail shopping a lot more than men do.
Even if it’s not the norm for you and your significant other, you’ve seen it from other couples — either in your family or in a store itself. For those couples, the stereotype holds up. That’s why in shopping outlets around the world, it’s not uncommon to see men waiting in boredom for their wives or girlfriends to return and say they’re ready to go.
These men will be happy to know that brick and mortar retail shopping is down in numbers. That’s because websites like Amazon get more traffic than ever before. They don’t have to go shopping with their significant others anymore — or if they do, they can at least do it in the comfort of their home. There’s no need to sit on uncomfortable mall couches, chairs, or for goodness sake, floors.
So, take courage, haters of retail shopping. You might not ever have to wait for your significant other in a store again. Until then, enjoy these 70 men who were spotted waiting for their partners.
1. I hope no one’s trying to reach those shoes
Stores aren’t made for sleeping. So, the people waiting have to get creative. This guy decided to lean on the shelf. Sure, he’s blocking part of the aisle, but let him sleep.
2. Sleeping like a baby bird
This man is in such a deep sleep that I would almost feel bad for waking him. Chalk it up to those comfy couches shopping centers put everywhere.
Seeing this guy settling in for a nap, there’s no telling how long he’s been waiting. He’s got his hat beside him and I’m guessing his shoes might be next.
4. At least he found some entertainment
Sure, this man’s waiting, but at least he’s waiting in a store with an electronics section. It’s better than staring off into space while your significant other shops and shops and shops.
5. He remembered to bring a book
Take note, people everywhere: this guy cracked the code. He carries a book with him for entertainment wherever he goes so he can wait for his wife — in this case, in a beauty salon.
Seeing people sleeping in the mall isn’t all that uncommon. What do you expect when you put very bored people on comfy couches for hours on end?
7. You have to be tired to sleep standing up
Seeing a man sleeping in the middle of a lingerie section is…well, to be frank, a little bit alarming. But this poor guy isn’t trying to be creepy. He just can’t take the boredom any longer.
8. The look on his face says it all
If I had to guess, I’d say this guy has completely zoned out. For all he knows, his significant other wandered into the next store. He’s just standing there staring while holding the purse.
9. The picture of despair
There’s something artistic about this man, isn’t there? I’m sure if any of the great painters could see him, a new masterpiece would be born. The artist would entitle it: “Despondency in Retail.”
You have to admire this man’s ingenuity. Not only did he choose a perfect place to nap, but he also had the guts to just go for it. He doesn’t care what anybody thinks — he’s sleepy.
11. Just put your feet up
This guy’s been waiting so long that he’s decided to embrace it. Why sit on an uncomfortable bench when you can kick back and take some pressure off your feet?
12. You don’t have to ask to know he’s bored
If you ever see someone standing like this — their weight all on the bars of the shopping cart — you know they’re nearing the end of their rope. The purse is a big hint, too.
13. I don’t think he’s in his element
I’m not saying a man can’t feel at home in a store full of designer purses. I’m just saying this guy doesn’t. In his defense, there’s only so long you can stare at a purse.
14. Not even celebrities get a pass
Don’t think famous or super funny people get a pass. Even comedian Tracy Morgan was left waiting in the mall. Luckily, he still had the patience to snap a photo with a fan.
15. Just stare at the floor
Have you ever been so bored that you zoned out and stared at the floor? It’s easy to almost fall asleep in that position. Wait…This guy might be asleep.
16. He knows how it is, kiddo
This poor kid looks like she’s ready to collapse right where she stands. Luckily, she has a grandfather there to provide a comfortable lap until it’s finally time to go home.
17. At least he got to take a nap
There are worse ways to spend an afternoon than napping in a comfortable chair. Sure, you’re waiting in a store. But at least you made the most of your time there.
18. The bags tell a story
They say Target is the store where people go when they’re shopping for things they don’t need. It’s easy to buy much more than you anticipated. This picture might prove that.
Forget just leaving your spouse to wait — this guy’s significant other also left him with the baby. On the bright side, at least the two of them get to snuggle and nap while Mom shops baby-free.
20. A friendship was born
It was bound to happen eventually. Two stranded guys struck up a conversation while they waited. Before they knew it, they’d become friends. That’s probably how it happened, right?
21. It’s a good thing there are toys
There’s something adorable about this old man playing in the children’s section as he waits. To be fair, if I was surrounded by toys with nothing else to do, I’d play with them, too.
22. Someone help this guy
It’s impossible not to feel sorry for this man. He looks utterly exhausted, sitting with his face in his hands. I want to go tell him everything’s all right and he’ll go home again one day.
This guy looks as though he’s 100 percent finished with the whole day. He’s even found one of the few available seats in the entire store. It might be in the way, but he doesn’t care anymore.
24. Just line up and wait
You have to wonder whether these men arrived together or if they’re strangers bonding in a time of trial. After all, we can make friends in the strangest situations.
25. 1, 2, 3: how many bored men do I see?
Old, young, and in between; they’re all equal on the Waiters’ Couch. No, it’s not a couch for restaurant workers. It’s a couch where everyone sits and waits for their spouse to finally emerge.
How tired and bored do you have to be to drift off to sleep in the middle of a meal? This man reached that limit. Of course, there’s no telling how long he’s been sitting there.
27. It’s always good to have a comfy chair
To paraphrase the Eleventh Doctor, you can hang out a while when you have comfortable chairs. Okay, his guy doesn’t have murderous stone angels after him…just a spouse who’s taking way too long in the store.
28. His expression is everything
It’s bad enough when you have to wait alone for someone to finish their shopping. But trying to keep a child entertained and calm can drive you crazy. Someone, please get this man a beer.
29. The floor is fine, I guess
When you have nowhere else to sit, at some point, the floor starts looking pretty darn comfortable. And when you have to sit on the floor for a long time, you’ll eventually want to lay down.
I don’t know why this guy’s sitting perched in his car window, but I can read that slump of despair in his shoulders. He just wants to go home and never go to a shopping outlet again.
This gentleman might be older, but his pose looks a lot like the one toddlers strike when they’re in the middle of a tantrum. It just goes to show you’re never too old to throw a fit.
How many disgruntled men does it take to form a club? The first rule of the club is that you can nap wherever you want. The second rule is that there’s a secret handshake.
At first glance, you might wonder if your eyes are tricking you. But no — you can see six people waiting in those chairs, not six silent statues.
34. She said she’d be five minutes
It seems this man was standing and waiting outside the store for just a little bit too long. He has the cart ready to go, but his legs can’t take it anymore. He’s got to sit down.
35. Back slouched, arms folded
How to spot a bored man in a shopping outlet: he’s sitting, either on a couch or a random horizontal object. If awake, he’s grumpy and sitting with his arms crossed.
This guy looks as though he’s having a furious argument in his mind with the mannequin. Maybe he’s imagining all the things he wishes he could say to his significant other when she finally comes out.
37. This shop knows what it’s doing
It’s a great idea to have a place where people can wait for their shopping companions. Forget just men — I know plenty of women who’d love to camp out here.
Do you get the feeling the mannequins are watching him and whispering to one another? It’s not anything creepy. More like, “Hey, do you think this guy is okay? Should we help him?”
39. You have to feel sorry for this kid
There’s no age limit on waiting for someone to finish shopping. The big difference is this kid is more open about the frustration he’s feeling.
40. He’s got his backpack on and he’s ready to go
This man is zoned out and ready to go, complete with his backpack on. More than likely, he’d go with anyone who offered, maybe without even realizing it.
41. You might as well relax
This guy has the right idea. Once he realized he was going to have to wait for a while, he decided to kick back and make himself comfortable. Something tells me it’s not his first rodeo.
When you have this many people waiting outside a shopping outlet, you might as well make it a party. Now, who wants to volunteer to bring the drinks?
Either this guy is doing a very complicated stretching exercise or he’s so tired he can sleep in that position. The answer depends on how long he’s been waiting.
Sometimes, the men waiting for their significant others have to deal with the most bizarre seating. This guy not only has to wait, but he also has to sit in the world’s most uncomfortable chair.
Okay, these guys don’t look that much alike. But after waiting for a couple of hours, they might start wondering if they’re going to grow old together.
46. He fell asleep facepalming
This man is so done that he fell fast asleep — but the world still knows what’s on his mind. If you’re not sure, take a look at his hand.
Few things are more ironic than being stranded to wait for hours in a store called Lucky Me. I don’t think these guys are feeling particularly lucky today.
48. He’s been here since…forever
Not many people wear watches these days, but this guy does — and he wants to be done already. Isn’t that huge bag he’s guarding enough?
49. Just make yourself at home
Some men are comparatively lucky…they’re left to wait in stores with comfy furniture. This guy wasn’t quite so fortunate, but he’s making do with what he has.
50. He found the right place to wait
This man deserves a round of applause for seeing an opportunity and seizing it. Sure, that’s a display unit, but he wasn’t about to stand around for hours on end.
Lingerie stores aren’t made for men, at least not your average man. But who knows? Maybe this guy has a bunch of oversized pink thrones at home.
This kid doesn’t have to say a word for us to know what he’s feeling. One day his future wife will wonder why he never goes shopping with her.
53. Somebody put him out of his misery
Have you ever been so exhausted that you were willing to lay down and take a nap, well, anywhere? This guy has, and he’s about to fall asleep on a public fountain.
54. He was beardless when he got there
This man was left to guard the purchases, but all he wants to do is take a nap. Is it possible to turn the store music down so we don’t disturb him?
He’s been left to watch over the purchases. So, he decided to sit on the floor while wearing an expression of despair. I almost want to help him to his feet and guide him back out in the sunlight.
56. Take your shoes off and stay awhile
Taking your shoes off in a public place is kind of gross but you can’t blame this guy. The man’s probably been here longer than you can imagine and he just wants to relax.
He doesn’t have one, but three kids waiting with him, and they all look bored. At least they have fun cars to sit in. The same can’t be said for Dad.
58. They’re in the right place
In the interest of being inclusive, this should say “the waiting corner” or something similar. But the concept is a great idea and every store should have one.
59. I guess there was nowhere else to sit
When stuck in a store with furniture, your first choice should be a cozy armchair or a soft couch. But I guess, if you have limited options, a toilet is an okay choice, too.
60. Just wake him when you’re done
This guy’s sleeping so deeply that he’s oblivious to anything going on around him. It’s best to just let him enjoy his nap and wake him when you’re ready to hit the road.
61. Show some pity on this man
Look, there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with a man holding a bra in the middle of a store — it’s admirable he’s willing to do that. But no one wants to stand and hold someone else’s underwear in public.
62. That’s certainly one way to take shelter
I wouldn’t normally advocate for crawling into storage shelves at a hardware store. But in this case, I’m willing to make an exception. It’s either there or the display toilets.
63. Camping out on the shelf
This guy’s stuck in a drugstore of all places, and he looks pretty miserable. With nowhere to sit, he has to find his next best option — in this case, right on the bottom shelf.
64. Some things never change
They say history repeats itself, and proof of that is in this 1979 picture. The only difference is those men didn’t have cell phones to help deal with their boredom.
65. Not even George Lucas is immune
Okay, we’re just kidding — this man isn’t the real Star Wars creator George Lucas. But he does bear a strong resemblance, which might be the reason for people taking his picture as he napped.
66. That’s a little too comfortable
Look, I’m all for doing whatever it takes to get through the hours until you can go home. But there has to be a limit somewhere. I hope he’s planning on buying that bed.
67. That pose looks familiar
Is this man lounging while waiting in a shopping center or is he recreating the famous “Draw me like one of your French girls” scene from Titanic? We might never know for sure.
68. Just step around them
These men sitting on the stairs look like a monument to the many years of shopping. Of course, they’re causing a roadblock. Just step around them as much as you can.
69. No, those aren’t mannequins
If you think those are mannequins at the front of the store showing off merchandise, look again. They’re not models, they’re just disgruntled men waiting for their significant others.
70. It was the wrong day to bring the dogs
Most stores don’t allow animals inside but it appears this shopping outlet does. Unfortunately for this guy, he chose the wrong day to bring them.
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Source: Instagram
