Sleep around the world: different countries – different customs
As different as the cultural conditions around the globe are, so too are the sleeping habits. People have developed customs relating to sleep that are characterised by their social environment, climate, wealth or religion. The differences are particularly evident in the duration and rhythm of sleep and the places where people sleep.
Sleep rhythms and sleep duration
In the West, continuous sleep at night is common. Internationally, there are other historically evolved sleep rhythms: the siesta with a nap, usually due to the climate, and the power napping culture. In Asian and African countries in particular, sleep is divided into several phases, so that the night sleep phase is shorter, but the total duration of sleep per day is similar. Sleep habits are related to the way in which activity and rest phases are handled. There are variations between Arab, Asian and Western cultures in terms of how they deal with time and therefore also with sleep. A study by the National Sleep Foundation found that the Japanese sleep the shortest at night. However, the Japanese usually make up for lost sleep during the day.
Bedroom
Who shares the bedroom with whom is handled differently. In Western countries, people usually have their spouse by their side and the children in their own bedrooms. In many regions, social conventions dictate that men and women are separated. The partner often shares a bed with the youngest child, while the husband sleeps elsewhere in the house. In many cultures around the world, the whole family still shares the bedroom. In Asia, where living space is limited, the bed is in the common room and is put away during the day.
Mattresses
In Europe, people sleep on solid mattresses. In Southeast Asian and African countries with humid climates, people have a bed frame without a mattress or they sleep on the floor with a sleeping pad. The Japanese usually roll up their thin mattress after sleeping and put it away, as a bedroom is a luxury due to the limited living space. In the USA, a king-size bed is common. In southern European countries and in the USA, a second, larger sheet is tucked in at the sides over the covered mattress.
Duvet and pillow
In Central Europe and Japan, a blanket in a separate cover is used. In Germany, many people have their own duvet in a double bed, while in France, the UK and the USA a large duvet for two is common. In Europe, one pillow per person is common, while in America people like to sleep on several pillows. Rounded wooden rolls with a hollow for the head are used as pillows in South East Asia.
Special features of sleeping worldwide
Sleeping in EUROPE:
Germans ventilate their bedrooms relatively often. The window is often left open throughout the night and curtains are often left open. Bed linen is changed every two to three weeks. Typical of France is the French bed with a full-length mattress and a double duvet, which brings the couple closer together. The British like to have a cup of tea before going to bed and are more likely to lie in bed undressed than the rest of Europe. Southern Europeans like to take a siesta, as it is healthier to spend the hottest part of the day resting. However, globalisation and the use of air conditioning are changing this sleeping pattern. The number of midday sleepers is decreasing. In southern European households, beds are made daily and bed linen is changed once a week.
Sleeping in AMERICA:
In American bedrooms, people often sleep on box-spring beds with high mattresses. Duvets and pillows are relatively rarely aired. Instead, additional fragrances such as lavender or jasmine are often used. Pets are allowed in bed more often. Power napping is becoming increasingly popular to bridge periods of tiredness and increase performance.
FACTS! Sleeping naked is prohibited by law in Minnesota! The law could be due to the fact that the state is the second coldest in the USA.
Sleeping in ASIA:
In Asia, multi-phase sleep with rest breaks at different times of the day is common. Daytime sleep is regarded as proof of performance here. Sleep is viewed positively overall.
There are historical reasons for this: Traditionally, people here sleep on the ‘kang’, a brick-built platform heated by the exhaust air from a fireplace in the kitchen. A thin mattress is therefore better for retaining more heat. Even though sleeping habits have changed, the hard mattress remains popular in many parts of Asia.
Sleeping in JAPAN:
The futon bed is the epitome of Japanese sleeping culture. The mattress is very thin and can be rolled up together with the duvet and stowed away during the day. The Japanese sleep during the day on all occasions – in the office, on the underground or at school. The short nap has a name: Inemuri. This is how the Japanese want to maintain their efficiency. The Japanese feel comfortable in a crowd. They can sleep better in a noisy environment than in a quiet room. However, their night’s sleep is shorter than that of Europeans.
Sleeping in INDIA / SOUTHEAST ASIA:
In India and South East Asia, it is also common to use a public place to sleep. Here, people sleep on a charpai – a four-legged wooden frame with a lying surface made of interwoven straps of fabric or rope. The charpai is suitable for tropical climates as no moisture can collect and no heat build-up can occur.
Did you know that in China, naps are even enshrined in the constitution?
In Article 49 of the 1950 constitution, the then Chairman of the Communist Party Mao Zedong enshrined the right of the working people to rest. He thus institutionalised the centuries-old custom of the midday nap.
After Mao’s death, this was interpreted both as a symbol of traditional Chinese culture and as a sign of economic backwardness. The midday nap is still part of everyday life in the countryside, but in the cities, capitalism the midday rest break in the cities.
CONCLUSION:
Despite globalisation, sleeping is characterised by traditions in many regions.
Nevertheless, there are trends towards standardisation here too. Continuous, night-time sleep, the separate bedroom and more comfort around the bed are gaining ground in many countries. However, the image of Japanese people sleeping peacefully on the underground will certainly remain with us for some time to come.
