In most countries sleeping at work is not only embarrassing, it might even cost ones job.
But in Japan, sleeping in the office is common and is socially accepted.
And it is not untrue.
Daily life was correspondingly hectic.
People filled their schedules with work and leisure appointments, and had hardly any time to sleep.
People worked long hours and then napped during the notoriously long commute back home.
Students stayed up late cramming and then dozed off during classes next morning.
Photo credit:tetsuo shimizu/Flickr
But there are rules toinemuri.
It depends who you are,says Steger.
The higher up the social ladder you are, the more you’ve got the option to sleep.
Another clue to deciphering the complicated etiquettes ofinemurilies in the term itselfto be present while sleeping.
Your body needs to pretend that you are active in a meeting, like you are concentrating.
You cannot sleep under the table or anything.
You have to sit as if you are listening intently, and just put your head down.
Photo credit:Amir Jina/Flickr
Photo credit:tokyoform/Flickr
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Photo credit:Dimitry B./Flickr
