We could all gain something from the Spanish approach to life over that of the German; having a mid-afternoon siesta is far more appealing than working rigid office hours, but perhaps Thailand is where we should be looking for inspiration. The art of napping is very much alive in the City of Angels, and what a welcome relief that is given the intense heat. I remember in the UK that naps were reserved primarily for children and old people. I would often go to a friend’s house with the sole intention of taking a nap before either going back home or heading to work. People thought this odd, but a nap is often the best way to perk yourself up.

Thailand has embraced the virtue of napping. The intervals during the day in which it is possible to take a nap are many, and the justifications needed to do so are few. During my stint teaching English, I discovered that I could take at least five naps a day: one in the taxi on the way to work, one at my desk before school started, one during lunchtime, one on the bus on the way home, and finally one when I got back to my room. I was able to cancel out all the effects of any nocturnal activities by having an entire night’s sleep during the day.

My current job does not allow for much napping, but there are still ample opportunities during the week in which I can doze off and join in on the action with my Thai brothers and sisters. A pleasing number of Thai people have listed “sleeping” as a hobby when I have questioned them.

Thai people are somewhat ahead of me in the skills required to be a proficient napper. Although I have learnt to nap in most situations, I am yet to achieve the knowledge needed to be able to nap at any given moment in any given place. For a Thai person, a nap can occur anywhere: on a table, in a chair, in a nightclub, behind the counter of a shop, and almost anywhere where movement is not required.

I found this on an old, disused blog: Once upon a time, I was hunting for some new clothes at a major shopping mall in Thailand. I wanted to try some things on and I eventually found the fitting room. The saleswoman told me to wait a moment. The door was closed. I was stunned when I saw her go in and wake up about five employees who were asleep on the floor.

This came from the Associated Press on January 8: Sleeping on the job might get most people fired. But catching a few “Z’s” is actually encouraged at a Bangkok municipal office. A little after noon, the lights are switched off and the civil servants take their afternoon nap. Thai officials say the snooze helps to energize the employees. They even have a nap room, with soft music, flowers and strict rules against talking or cell phone use.

I’m still waiting for a nap room to be set up in my office, but I will bring it up in the next meeting with my boss.

Zzzzzz

Techno’ tags: Taking a nap, Sleeping, Thailand