Think of the most epic group game you could possibly play and then multiply that by 100.
And then think of the most intense buzz kill you could ever experience and multiply that by 10,000.
That is what happened at an Ikea store in Glasgow, Scotland on August 31st.
Five Scotland Yard officers stuck around the Ikea in Glasgow, Scotland in fierce apprehension that some 3,000 people who clicked "attending" on a Facebook event for a rousing game of hide-and-seek would actually show up and wreak havoc inside the store.
Cops shut down massive 3,000-person game of hide-and-seek at Ikea https://t.co/1B74aqfSPg https://t.co/X6GcgzLJZq— New York Post (@New York Post)1568228330.0
@nypost @deray If IKEA was smart they would promote this as an after hours event.— Hugh Murphy (@Hugh Murphy)1568231790.0
@nypost How can anyone see this headline and still support the cops— 🛡️Anna the Transarchist🛡️ (@🛡️Anna the Transarchist🛡️)1568307105.0
@nypost This is why people hate cops— 🏳️🌈NubbiestButt🏳️🌈 (@🏳️🌈NubbiestButt🏳️🌈)1568302118.0
@nypost @deray Best use of an Ikea store that I’ve heard.— Joe Shreffler (@Joe Shreffler)1568231794.0
Ultimately, no game took place.
But police were on high alert, reportedly "stopping everyone who look[ed] like they [were] here for a game of hide and seek," said one customer, Lewis Phillips.
But not for lack of trying—apparently, playing hide-and-seek in European Ikeas is something of a fashion.
@nypost @HudsonRiverCroc but did they find them all?— Cheryl Wigglebottom (@Cheryl Wigglebottom)1568228761.0
@senorasantos @nypost @HudsonRiverCroc The ones they didn’t find are now IKEA Employees— Nep-Leijon (@Nep-Leijon)1568297177.0
@nypost In related news, a SWAT team was dispatched to a 4300-person game of Duck Duck Goose at a Home Depot.— Jason Carter Glass (@Jason Carter Glass)1568307997.0
@nypost They gonna find a skeleton in a vent 5 years later and it’s that last person they were never able to find— disrespect breathing technice 11th form (@disrespect breathing technice 11th form)1568287133.0
@nypost https://t.co/mdDNroH779— Easy Mac 🏊🏾♂️ (@Easy Mac 🏊🏾♂️)1568294010.0
However, this particular Ikea staff were not amused and phoned police once they became aware of the Facebook event.
In successful hide-and-seek games, players hide in every piece of furniture imaginable, from couch cushions to bed frames and from desk drawers to refrigerators.
@nypost BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO no fun— Blank (@Blank)1568294001.0
@nypost There were actually 5,000 people participating, they were just better than the rest— Skyguy628 (@Skyguy628)1568299499.0
@nypost are we allowed fun at all https://t.co/mZlzXFWuwC— ##nev ♡ !! JISUNG DAY (@##nev ♡ !! JISUNG DAY)1568326727.0
We think we can all agree when we say to Scotland Yard: Way to ruin the fun.
Perhaps the trend of playing hide-and-seek in Ikea will make its way to the United States sooner rather than later.
Or, ya know those Costco shelves look pretty inviting...
If you think your hide-and-seek game is topnotch, you still can't defeat the champion. Get their commemorative shirt here.
Amazon
********
Listen to the first four episodes of George Takei's podcast, 'Oh Myyy Pod!' where we explore the racially charged videos that have taken the internet by storm.
Be sure to subscribe here and never miss an episode.