Shanghai's lonely hearts find love in IKEA

Young people often meet partners online, but for Shanghai's older people, it's IKEA – the Swedish furniture store – that's the answer.

On Tuesdays, hundreds of older people fill up the IKEA café. Instead of buying the famous Swedish meatballs, they take along their own food. As they drink tea, share food and talk, they hope to find someone.

Gu Yijun, who was a coach driver, spends 90 minutes on public transport each week. He might find love, and it's also fun and relaxing.

Gu Yijun: "So, I came to the thought that it could be better to find a partner here, but if not, it's also a way to relax and have fun. It is much better than facing the mirror alone at home, as I can only see myself in the reflection."

There are 30 million people who are 60 or above in China and 25 percent are single. Earlier, different generations lived together but now older people often end up on their own.

Taking care of older people used to be Qingqing's job, but the 70 year old's now ready for love.

Qingqing: "When I reached this age, I realized I had a yearning for love as well, so you see, people change. It's not embarrassing to speak out. Not only do young people need love, but elderly people also need love."

It isn't clear how IKEA developed into a centre for romance. It's gone on for 10 years now. The store's tried to turn people away, without success.

According to Xu Yizhen, the IKEA cafe's simply the best location.

Xu Yizhen: "This is a kind of way of life. To be honest, it's in accordance with my personal standard of living. This place is not very extravagant. There are some practical difficulties for us to go to more elegant places if we want to go. This popular place suits us better." Weniger anzeigen