Nestled into your memory foam mattress under the softest down comforter, it might seem unimaginable that anyone could find this setup anything but blissfully cozy. The idea of sprawling out on a plush mattress surrounded by pillows epitomizes comfort for many. However, sleeping preferences are as diverse as the world's cultures.
Across the globe, definitions of a comfortable sleep environment vary dramatically. They're influenced by cultural norms, climate, and even architectural styles. While many in the West cherish the soft embrace of memory foam and down, others might find the concept overly indulgent or simply impractical.
For instance, in some cultures, the idea of comfort is found not in the softness of a bed but in the security and uniqueness of its location. This could be like sleeping in tree houses or elevated platforms to avoid pests and predators. In others, firm sleeping surfaces are preferred for orthopedic reasons or due to traditional practices. It's a stark contrast to the plush mattresses popular in the U.S.
Understanding global sleeping habits not only broadens our perspective but also enriches our appreciation for the variety of human experience. It reminds us that comfort in sleep, much like food or language, is a deeply personal choice. Our beds and sleep choices are custom to us and they're shaped by a myriad of factors that transcend global boundaries.
Here are 10 sleep situations that will change how you think about your own:
10 Culture Clashes on Sleep Habits
1. Missing Sleep Schedules
Here, nighttime = sleep time. But in Botswana, a hunter-gatherer tribe called the !Kung (not a typo) doesn’t have a sleep schedule. They only sleep when they are tired, no matter what time of day or night it is. They believe that saving sleep only for when you’re tired leads to a more restful sleep.
2. Sleeping in Public
Here, falling asleep at your desk can get you fired. But in Japan, napping in public is acceptable – even admirable. Grabbing a quick nap wherever you are – even at work – is considered to be a sign that a person is a diligent, hard-working person who simply needs a nap.
3. Kids Sleeping Outside
Here, leaving your child to sleep outside will get you a visit from CPS. But in many parts of Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, it is commonplace to leave a stroller-aged child outside in their prim during daytime naps. They believe this trains children for better day-sleeping and to be able to fall asleep in noisy or bright conditions.
4. Sleeping with Strangers
Here, it’s wholly not normal to sleep in the same bed as neighbors or strangers. But in Australia, some indigenous groups prefer sleeping together, lining up kids and the elderly in the middle. And in Japan and Korea, hotels with large sleeping spaces for strangers to sleep together is a cheaper travelling option.
5. Same Bed, Separate Blankets
Here, the old trope of the wife stealing all the husband’s blankets is a tale as old as time. But in Germany and Austria, it’s more common for couples to sleep in the same bed but with different sets of blankets. They believe since each partner has their own pillow and blanket preferences, it leads to better sleep.
6. Babies Without Beds
Here, babies sleep in bassinets and cribs. In Switzerland, babies are put in hammocks to sleep. They believe this aids in sleep comfort and quality because the swaddling and the rocking mimics the environment of a womb.
7. Sleeping in Hammocks
Here, nightly sleep tends to happen on a mattress, whether it’s a bed in an RV or a house. But in several indigenous communities in Central and South America, the whole villages sleeps together in a maze of hammocks each night. It keeps them out of reach from bugs and snakes.
8. Pillows are Dumb
Here, sleeping with a pillow is almost as natural as breathing. But in Kenya, the Maasai people find pillows unnecessary and uncomfortable.
9. Multi-Purpose Bedrooms
Here, bedrooms are bedrooms (unless you live in a tiny home or a van). In Afghanistan, however, bedrooms are multi-purpose. In the morning, folding mattresses are put away so the room can be used for socializing.
10. Professional Napping
Here, you’re lucky if you get more than 30 minutes for a lunch break at work. But in Italy, workers are commonly given 2-hour extended lunch breaks so that they can also take a nap before returning to work. They believe this improves productivity and sleep quality at night.
Sleep Styles are Specific!
The moral of the story is, a comfortable sleep means something different to everyone, which is why a custom-made bed is the way to go, no matter where you’re from. Now, we don’t make custom hammocks or anything, but we do make custom mattresses for any kind of sleep spot – RV, Airstream, truck, bedroom, sleeper sofas. You can tailor them to whatever your version of comfort is, so you know when your new custom mattress arrives at your door that it will be just as unique as your personal sleep preferences.
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