‘Selfish bench’ in Astana sparks laughter online

Anelya Kupbayeva Correspondent

Image created from video frames

Tengrinews.kz – A peculiar bench spotted on a street in Astana has gone viral on social media, amusing locals with its one-person design.

Residents jokingly dubbed it the "introvert bench" after a video of the small, solo seat circulated online. The unusual piece of urban furniture quickly drew attention for its minimalist concept — offering space for just one person.

Commenters were quick to poke fun at the design: "For VIPs only"; "Bench for introverts"; "Single-seater special"; "Future local attraction"; "Perfect bench for some quality alone time".

A temporary setup

The Urban Center of Astana later clarified the situation, explaining that the bench was part of a temporary display.

"A variety of sample urban furniture — including long benches, single-seat chairs, trash bins, and street lamps — were temporarily placed along Syganak Street as demonstration models from the manufacturer," the center said in a statement.

Only the long benches, matching the lamps and bins in style, will remain on Syganak Street. The one-seaters won’t be installed permanently.

"Single-person benches like this are common in urban spaces around the world, especially in quiet zones where personal space is valued," the center added.