Skip to content
Sunday 19 July 2026EN · DE
City PM

European business, markets and politics

  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • DE
Wednesday 13 July 2016 5:35 pm

Seven locations that show just how crazy the Pokemon Go craze is

By: Lynsey Barber

Add as a preferred source on Google

It's been less than a week, but we're all now living in a Pokemon World.

At a time of deep political uncertainty, many are no doubt welcoming a little light distraction, but the obsession might well have some influence on the next round of productivity figures as everyone attempts to catch 'em all.

The craze has certainly unearthed some insights into human nature, the way we behave and how we engage with technology, as we can see from these nine crazy things that have happened so far…

1. Mind the Gap

The latest unusual place to pick up a Pokeball is perhaps not the safest. One commuter spotted one on the Tube tracks at High Street Kensington.

As if we weren't already too engrossed in our phones to notice things like, er, cars, trains and buses, travel and police authorities in New York were forced to issue such reminders as don't play Pokemon while driving or step over the line at stations. Really.

Hey #PokemonGO players, we know you gotta catch 'em all, but stay behind that yellow line when in the subway. pic.twitter.com/wjyfHBzalS

— NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) July 11, 2016

2. Mind the inappropriateness

There's dangerous and then there's just disrespectful. The Holocaust Memorial Museum in the US has been forced to ask people not to catch Pokemon as it is "extremely inappropriate". The museum is trying to have the location removed from the game.

3. The frontline

What else would you be doing while fighting Isis on the frontline in Iraq? To be fair, there's likely to be a lot of downtime, so one man has claimed the title for craziest location to catch one.

Posting a picture of the find on Facebook, he said: "Just caught my first Pokemon on the Mosul front line by Teleskuf. Daesh, come challenge me to a Pokemon battle. Mortars are for pussies." Understandably, the post went viral.

4. Scene of death

One of the game's USP's that has been praised is that it gets people off the sofa (where they're glued to their phone) and out and about in the real world (where they're, er, glued to their phone). When one young woman was searching for the required body of water to find a Pokemon, she was in for more than she bargained for, finding an actual body. 

5. Labour

No, not that Labour (but you'd be forgiven for thinking so in the current political climate. One man's opportunity to catch one came at a less than frivolous time – as his wife was about to give birth. Without thinking twice he caught it. 

6. TUC

Ask someone to go somewhere and do something, and they'll quite sensibly say "what's in it for me?". If it's Pokemon, then people are apparently very willing – and one unusual group has cottoned onto that.

Find #pokéballs at TUC HQ on #PokemonGo. Come inside and say hi to get a free doughnut too! Gotta organise 'em all! pic.twitter.com/Cq0VMc9Ke6

— Trades Union Congress (@The_TUC) July 12, 2016

All doughnuts have now been eaten, however you can still find #pokeballs at TUC HQ and drop in to say hi!☺️ #Pokemon pic.twitter.com/Dvwm0yr4x1

— Trades Union Congress (@The_TUC) July 12, 2016

7. Church and state

When you live in a converted church, perhaps you might worry about some kind of haunting. Now one man has the very real life spectre of Pokemon fans to contend with.

https://twitter.com/boonerang/status/751849519407595520

Locations like churches across the US are set up as locations for training the Pokemon users have collected, known as Pokemon Gyms.

And that has raised some rather existential questions.

https://twitter.com/boonerang/status/751869221240528896

https://twitter.com/boonerang/status/751983397363445760

https://twitter.com/boonerang/status/751983639781597188

https://twitter.com/boonerang/status/752141919623446528

And one place you can't play Pokemon…

The craze still remains earthbound… for now at least. Nasa has said there are only a few smartphones on the International Space Station apparently, and they're not for playing Pokemon.

Share this article

  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email

Similarly tagged content:

Sections

  • News

Categories

  • Tech

Trending Articles

  • Revealed: KPMG and Deloitte offer bumper redundancy packages to slash headcount

  • Citroën 2CV returns as a £13,000 electric car, and the timing is no accident

  • Octopus tells Burnham to ‘cut bills’ with £189 energy plan

  • Burnham set for crunch decision on JP Morgan’s £10bn tower

  • Motsepe backed to succeed Fifa’s Infantino by South African minister

More from City PM

  • Padel craze drives demand for industrial property

    Property
    Players compete in an intense padel match on a vibrant court, showcasing skill and teamwork in a popular sports competition.
  • Brewdog owner shrugs off James Watt takeover bid

    Consumer
    BrewDog cans displayed in a variety of flavors and vibrant designs, highlighting the brands diverse craft beer selection.
  • Oracle slashes 21,000 jobs amid AI embrace as tech sell-off rocks Asia

    Tech
    Oracle Headquarters in Austin displaying modern architecture with a scenic view, reflecting its tech industry presence.
  • Will the SpaceX IPO send retail investors into orbit?

    Investing
    Elon Musk speaking at a tech conference, wearing a suit, with a futuristic backdrop highlighting space exploration themes
  • Ikoyi founder Jeremy Chan: ‘Eating my own food is forbidden’

    Life&Style
    Jeremy Chan, business professional, confidently delivers a presentation at a corporate event, wearing a tailored suit and ...
  • Tartan Army cancel flights as Scotland eye a piece of World Cup history

    Sport Business
    Breaking news event concept with diverse people at a business conference discussing innovative strategies and global trends
  • Borrowing costs fall as interest rate hike fears ease

    Economics
    Keanu Reeves seen casually dressed during a public appearance in a local pub, engaging with fans and enjoying a relaxed at...
  • Fixing the £100,000 tax trap would be a bold first step – let’s not undermine it by taxing investment more

    Opinion
    Canada skyline featuring iconic skyscrapers and modern architecture against a clear blue sky

City PM — European politics, business and analysis.

Europe

  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • UK & Ireland

Topics

  • Business
  • Markets
  • AI
  • Technology
  • Opinion
  • Energy

More

  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Fintech
  • Legal
  • Sport
  • Life

Company

  • About City PM
  • Editorial Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
© 2026 City PM · Published by CityPM Media, Bahnhofstrasse 65, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
About · Editorial Policy · Corrections · Contact · Privacy · Facebook