Kick off your shoes, throw yourself into the sofa, and have a good nap! Not at my home, but in the IKEA furniture stores! This is how some "smart" people in Shanghai choose to spend their free times in the scorching summer days.

"In the summer people come to the store to enjoy the air-conditioning rather than to shop for furniture," a security staff of the IKEA furniture store on the Caoxi Road downtown told the Shanghai-based Morning News.

"Some of them even come in once the store opens in the morning, and won't leave until the store closes in the evening," he complained.

In the bedroom section of the shop, some of the sample sofas and beds are occupied by "loyal" customers, which include middle-aged men, senior citizens, young ladies, and even babies.

Such behavior affects the shop's normal operation, and will be discouraged, according to Mr. Luo, Manager on duty.

Some people in Shanghai choose to spend their free times in IKEA furniture stores in the scorching summer day.

(CRI.cn August 2, 2007)