As someone who often has trouble sleeping, I’ve always admired people who can nod off with ease. In my daily wanderings around Shanghai, I find folks napping in the most incongruous of circumstances, content to catch some shut-eye wherever and whenever possible. The city’s recyclers will park their carts next to the curb and lie down on top of the day’s haul. If a public space has chairs, it’s pretty much guaranteed that someone will be asleep in one, especially on a hot day. Motorcycles can serve as a bed in a pinch, while locals might situate a folding chair on a busy corner or stretch of sidewalk. It’s not uncommon to catch people snoozing on the job, folded over their desk or kicked back in their seat. If only I had this rare ability to tune out the world around me and surrender to the sandman! Here are some of my favorite examples of public sleeping in China:
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[…] set up an estate sale on tables nearby. Groups of ladies often organized dance parties in parks and men napped in some highly unusual places. Laundry was hung from every available surface, with racy underpants displayed for all the world to […]
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Haha – these are great! I could never sleep in public – I love how they are so carefree!
I think it must be the same attitude they have towards hanging laundry to dry in public. It just cracks me up! I wish I could be so uninhibited!
I like the fellow on the corner with one shoe off. I can sleep in a moving vehicle but no public places. I envy them!
I actually see that guy on the corner all the time, but the one shoe off must have been a special occasion 🙂
Love it! I don’t think I could sleep in any of these locations. I have trouble sleeping anywhere, but in my bed. I really don’t like random people watching me sleep.
I’m with you. I have a hard time sleeping on planes because I don’t like feeling I’m on display. Though it has gotten a bit easier here since most of the other passengers are asleep before the wheels are up!
this is hilarious – these guys will sleep anywhere! I have only fallen asleep in public once – it was embarrassing and probably only happened because I had teased my friend who fell asleep in public a few days earlier. Guess it goes to prove you should never make fun of someone!
I fell asleep on a bench outside of Windsor Castle. It was my very first international trip and my first experience with jetlag. By that point I hadn’t slept at all in 48 hours and just couldn’t stay awake a minute longer. Luckily I was with a school group so someone made sure I got on the bus! I’m always amazed by the people who fall asleep on the train and then miraculously awake in time for their stop.
Love these photos! It’s the same in Vietnam. After lunch, everyone goes to sleep where they stand. I feel bad waking up sellers but they don’t seem to mind, although it does take a few seconds to rub the grogginess out of their eyes!
LOL! I’ve had to wake vendors up also and those first few minutes are always so awkward!