Look, weโre not into stereotypes here. No one ever said men donโt enjoy shopping. But for most couples, the standard seems to be that women enjoy retail shopping a lot more than men do.
Even if itโs not the norm for you and your significant other, youโve seen it from other couples โ either in your family or in a store itself. For those couples, the stereotype holds up. Thatโs why in shopping outlets around the world, itโs not uncommon to see men waiting in boredom for their wives or girlfriends to return and say theyโre ready to go.
These men will be happy to know that brick and mortar retail shopping is down in numbers. Thatโs because websites like Amazon get more traffic than ever before. They donโt have to go shopping with their significant others anymore โ or if they do, they can at least do it in the comfort of their home. Thereโs 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. Just put your feet up
This guyโs been waiting so long that heโs decided to embrace it. Why sit on an uncomfortable bench when you can kick back and take some pressure off your feet?
2. You donโt have to ask to know heโs bored
If you ever see someone standing like this โ their weight all on the bars of the shopping cart โ you know theyโre nearing the end of their rope. The purse is a big hint, too.
3. I donโt think heโs in his element
Iโm not saying a man canโt feel at home in a store full of designer purses. Iโm just saying this guy doesnโt. In his defense, thereโs only so long you can stare at a purse.
4. Not even celebrities get a pass
Donโt 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.
5. Just stare at the floor
Have you ever been so bored that you zoned out and stared at the floor? Itโs easy to almost fall asleep in that position. WaitโฆThis guy might be asleep.
6. Rock-a-bye, Hubby
Seeing people sleeping in the mall isnโt 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 isโฆwell, to be frank, a little bit alarming. But this poor guy isnโt trying to be creepy. He just canโt take the boredom any longer.
8. The look on his face says it all
If I had to guess, Iโd say this guy has completely zoned out. For all he knows, his significant other wandered into the next store. Heโs just standing there staring while holding the purse.
9. The picture of despair
Thereโs something artistic about this man, isnโt there? Iโm sure if any of the great painters could see him, a new masterpiece would be born. The artist would entitle it: โDespondency in Retail.โ
10. I donโt blame him
You have to admire this manโs ingenuity. Not only did he choose a perfect place to nap, but he also had the guts to just go for it. He doesnโt care what anybody thinks โ heโs sleepy.
11. I hope no oneโs trying to reach those shoes
Stores arenโt made for sleeping. So, the people waiting have to get creative. This guy decided to lean on the shelf. Sure, heโs blocking part of the aisle, but let him sleep.
12. 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.
13. Hat off, eyes closed
Seeing this guy settling in for a nap, thereโs no telling how long heโs been waiting. Heโs got his hat beside him and Iโm guessing his shoes might be next.
14. At least he found some entertainment
Sure, this manโs waiting, but at least heโs waiting in a store with an electronics section. Itโs better than staring off into space while your significant other shops and shops and shops.
15. 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 โ in this case, in a beauty salon.
16. He knows how it is, kiddo
This poor kid looks like sheโs ready to collapse right where she stands. Luckily, she has a grandfather there to provide a comfortable lap until itโs 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, youโre 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 theyโre shopping for things they donโt need. Itโs easy to buy much more than you anticipated. This picture might prove that.
19. Dad and baby naptime
Forget just leaving your spouse to wait โ this guyโs 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, theyโd become friends. Thatโs probably how it happened, right?
21. Itโs a good thing there are toys
Thereโs something adorable about this old man playing in the childrenโs section as he waits. To be fair, if I was surrounded by toys with nothing else to do, Iโd play with them, too.
22. Someone help this guy
Itโs 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 everythingโs all right and heโll go home again one day.
23. He looks a bit lost
This guy looks as though heโs 100 percent finished with the whole day. Heโs even found one of the few available seats in the entire store. It might be in the way, but he doesnโt care anymore.
24. Just line up and wait
You have to wonder whether these men arrived together or if theyโre 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; theyโre all equal on the Waitersโ Couch. No, itโs not a couch for restaurant workers. Itโs a couch where everyone sits and waits for their spouse to finally emerge.
26. Right at the table
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, thereโs no telling how long heโs been sitting there.
27. Itโs 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 doesnโt have murderous stone angels after himโฆjust a spouse whoโs taking way too long in the store.
28. His expression is everything
Itโs 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, youโll eventually want to lay down.
30. I want to go home
I donโt know why this guyโs 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.
31. Someone isnโt happy
This gentleman might be older, but his pose looks a lot like the one toddlers strike when theyโre in the middle of a tantrum. It just goes to show youโre never too old to throw a fit.
32. Join the club
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 thereโs a secret handshake.
33. Like ducks in a row
At first glance, you might wonder if your eyes are tricking you. But no โ you can see six people waiting in those chairs, not six silent statues.
34. She said sheโd 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 canโt take it anymore. Heโs got to sit down.
35. Back slouched, arms folded
How to spot a bored man in a shopping outlet: heโs sitting, either on a couch or a random horizontal object. If awake, heโs grumpy and sitting with his arms crossed.
36. Are you mad, bro?
This guy looks as though heโs having a furious argument in his mind with the mannequin. Maybe heโs imagining all the things he wishes he could say to his significant other when she finally comes out.
37. This shop knows what itโs doing
Itโs a great idea to have a place where people can wait for their shopping companions. Forget just men โ I know plenty of women whoโd love to camp out here.
38. Theyโre watching
Do you get the feeling the mannequins are watching him and whispering to one another? Itโs not anything creepy. More like, โHey, do you think this guy is okay? Should we help him?โ
39. You have to feel sorry for this kid
Thereโs no age limit on waiting for someone to finish shopping. The big difference is this kid is more open about the frustration heโs feeling.
40. Heโs got his backpack on and heโs ready to go
This man is zoned out and ready to go, complete with his backpack on. More than likely, heโd 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 itโs not his first rodeo.
42. Itโs now a party
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?
43. Is that comfortable?
Either this guy is doing a very complicated stretching exercise or heโs so tired he can sleep in that position. The answer depends on how long heโs been waiting.
44. Heโs trapped forever
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 worldโs most uncomfortable chair.
45. โAre youโฆme?โ
Okay, these guys donโt look that much alike. But after waiting for a couple of hours, they might start wondering if theyโre going to grow old together.
46. He fell asleep facepalming
This man is so done that he fell fast asleep โ but the world still knows whatโs on his mind. If youโre not sure, take a look at his hand.
47. Oh, the irony
Few things are more ironic than being stranded to wait for hours in a store called Lucky Me. I donโt think these guys are feeling particularly lucky today.
48. Heโs been here sinceโฆforever
Not many people wear watches these days, but this guy does โ and he wants to be done already. Isnโt that huge bag heโs guarding enough?
49. Just make yourself at home
Some men are comparatively luckyโฆtheyโre left to wait in stores with comfy furniture. This guy wasnโt quite so fortunate, but heโs 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, thatโs a display unit, but he wasnโt about to stand around for hours on end.
51. Great chair, man
Lingerie stores arenโt made for men, at least not your average man. But who knows? Maybe this guy has a bunch of oversized pink thrones at home.
52. #mood
This kid doesnโt have to say a word for us to know what heโs 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 heโs 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 donโt disturb him?
55. You okay in there?
Heโs 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 canโt blame this guy. The manโs probably been here longer than you can imagine and he just wants to relax.
57. Park and wait
He doesnโt have one, but three kids waiting with him, and they all look bored. At least they have fun cars to sit in. The same canโt be said for Dad.
58. Theyโre in the right place
In the interest of being inclusive, this should say โthe waiting cornerโ 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 youโre done
This guyโs sleeping so deeply that heโs oblivious to anything going on around him. Itโs best to just let him enjoy his nap and wake him when youโre ready to hit the road.
61. Show some pity on this man
Look, thereโs nothing intrinsically wrong with a man holding a bra in the middle of a store โ itโs admirable heโs willing to do that. But no one wants to stand and hold someone elseโs underwear in public.
62. Thatโs certainly one way to take shelter
I wouldnโt normally advocate for crawling into storage shelves at a hardware store. But in this case, Iโm willing to make an exception. Itโs either there or the display toilets.
63. Camping out on the shelf
This guyโs stuck in a drugstore of all places, and he looks pretty miserable. With nowhere to sit, he has to find his next best option โ 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 didnโt have cell phones to help deal with their boredom.
65. Not even George Lucas is immune
Okay, weโre just kidding โ this man isnโt 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. Thatโs a little too comfortable
Look, Iโm 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 heโs 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 โDraw me like one of your French girlsโ 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, theyโre causing a roadblock. Just step around them as much as you can.
69. No, those arenโt mannequins
If you think those are mannequins at the front of the store showing off merchandise, look again. Theyโre not models, theyโre just disgruntled men waiting for their significant others.
70. It was the wrong day to bring the dogs
Most stores donโt 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