This Man Has Been Secretly Living in a Shopping Mall for Months

Who knew shopping malls could actually be cozy? There has recently been an unexpected discovery in a shopping mall. Where a Chinese man has been secretly living in a shopping mall for months. Security guards found him living under a staircase for an extensive six-month period. The man from Shanghai had crafted a cozy setup with a tent, table, computer, and ergonomic chair. But, why was he living there to begin with? This is the story of a man living in a shopping mall for months, and what he was doing there, to begin with.

The Man Living in a Shopping Mall

Security guards were shocked to find a man who had reportedly been living beneath a shopping mall staircase for six months. The person had made a makeshift living space. And this included a tent, a table, a computer, and even a cozy chair. Despite the unconventional location, he had managed to create a surprisingly comfortable setup for himself.

He managed to avoid being caught by security guards for a long period, despite frequently using the mall’s charging sockets. He was eventually caught by a single guard. However, he was allowed to stay there after claiming he needed a place to study for an exam.

Divided Opinions on the Man Living in a Shopping Mall

So, this is the story of a man living beneath the stairs at a Shanghai mall until October 30. A video showcasing his organized living space has circulated online, sparking varied reactions. This made people question his intentions. Additionally, opinions about the man varied. Some labeled him a “parasite” and a potential threat, while others admired his resourcefulness in avoiding rent. Additionally, similar incidents have been reported in the past, indicating this isn’t an isolated occurrence.

People Sleeping Inside the Chinese Ikea

Something similar happened in China before. In Ikea China, a peculiar trend emerged as customers frequently napped within the store’s display beds. This led to the Beijing branches implementing a ban on the practice in 2016. Despite this prohibition, some shoppers persisted in treating the showrooms as their rest areas, with speculation on whether they extended this comfort to the display toilets as well.

A Similar Situation Happened Earlier This Year

In March, a story emerged about a man, Michael Townsend, and seven artists who lived in a hidden apartment beneath a shopping mall in Rhode Island, undetected for years from 2003 to 2007. However, their occupation of the underground space eventually led to legal consequences. In 2003, artist Michael Townsend found himself on the brink of homelessness when the building he resided in was sold to a developer citing a “commercial responsibility” to take over the property. Coincidentally, Townsend had previously explored another venture of the same developer—the Providence Place Mall—where he stumbled upon a concealed, unutilized apartment within the building’s structure.

Following a prolonged two-year period of protests, Townsend and a group of fellow occupants were eventually ousted from their building to accommodate the construction of a supermarket parking lot. However, rather than conceding defeat, Townsend and his displaced companions felt their battle was far from concluded.

Why Did This Happen?

They perceived it as a form of poetic justice and a testament to their civic and artistic obligations to take over the secret space in the mall, despite its illegality. They believed it was their responsibility to repurpose and develop the space for their artistic endeavors, considering it a moral imperative to reclaim what they considered their right.

Why do you think he decided to sleep inside a shopping mall?

You might also want to read: How to Get Started With Zero-Waste Living