Chinese shopping mall installs 'husband storage' facilities for bored partners
Free glass pods contain chair and games computer in attempt to solve perennial problem
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Go to any department store and you are likely to find bored-looking men hanging around the exit while their female partners shop ‘til they drop.
Now one Chinese shopping mall has invented a solution.
Shanghai’s Global Harbour mall has installed “husband storage” facilities, reported The Paper.
The facilities are glass pods with a chair and gaming computer, on which users can play retro 1990s games to their heart’s content.
The pods are currently free, but mall staff told The Paper that in future users will have to pay a small amount by scanning a QR code on their phones.
One user, Mr Yang, said the pods are "really great”, adding: “I've just played Tekken 3 and felt like I was back at school!"
But there’s still a little comfort to be desired, said another user, Mr Wu.
"There's no ventilation or air conditioning, I sat playing for five minutes and was drenched in sweat."
The pods are not the first attempt at solving the problem of bored husbands in shopping malls.
Another Shanghai complex, the Vanke mall, opened a "husband nursery" in November, reported Mashable.
The large room had comfy chairs, TVs, stocked fridges and even a massage chair.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments