Shanghai Nappers...Forty Winks Friday!

There have been a few articles in the media lately, about Chinese people sleeping and socialising in their local Ikea stores. A friend posted a link on Facebook: Swedish article on Ikea nappers in China  and tagged me with the comment "Well aftonbladet....You're about five years late so not really the new trend...Robyn and I have tons of pictures as this was a humorous pastime of ours ...taking pictures of the locals sleeping, lounging and enjoying the Ikea display furniture"

I spent a considerable amount of my time in Shanghai snapping pics of nappers in Ikea and beyond. Chinese people seem to have an amazing ability to take a nap anywhere, any time in unimaginable positions. A friend, who runs a company in China was surprised when his staff asked for an afternoon nap to be added to the work contract...and were dismayed when it wasn't added! It must be said though. that a high percentage of my nappers worked very long hours in objectionable conditions, so if they could grab a quick nap to recharge...good on them!

There was never any shortage of nappers for me to snap. I had my children, friends and visitors as napper spotters, even used them as decoys to get shots of nappers who had non napping friends with them. Using my daughter and her friend as a decoy in the park, the friend said "Your Mum isn't pointing the camera at us" to which my daughter replied "She isn't actually taking our photo...she wants to catch the napper"!

If I went more than a day or two without adding a napper to my Shanghai napper album on Facebook, I would get messages from friends all over the world telling me to lift my game and add some. I admit, the nappers are a part of my Shanghai life that I miss, along with the food and friends. It appears I am not the only one as, since my friend tagged me in her Facebook post I have had a flurry of messages asking for a return of the nappers.

So here we have the first instalment of "Forty Winks Friday"! I will post a selection of nappers every Friday until my collection runs out....which could be a while!

The Ikea napper curiosity, I particularly like the use of Ikea product as a pillow!

Another Ikea napper circa 2008

Ikea is not the only furniture shop with nappers...

No where is immune!

This man was quite comfy on his ledge...he had a little newspaper as padding!

I love a 'gang' of nappers....

and they look comfy after their morning's work at Xujiahui Park

The guys and girls on the tricycles are the lifeblood of Shanghai and deserve a nap

after long hours recycling and delivering ridiculous loads around the city.

Park benches are popular!

A quick nap amongst the produce at the wet market after a very early start.

I just love the fact he can balance on a scooter and

get a good sleep...I would soooo fall off!