Comments on: Intercultural Understanding and Chinese Beds

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Wed, 21 May 2014 13:40:48 +0000

In reply to Brad Frankel. Even the beds in China? I literally had a bruise on each hipbone! Thanks for commenting!

By: Brad Frankel

Brad Frankel — Wed, 21 May 2014 08:24:12 +0000

Really interesting post Rachel, we are always so quick to judge based on our own conception and cultural differences so i found this really enjoyable and never knew about the IDV index. I found China quite a tough place to travel, maybe it was because it was my first trip, but found them very private until we entered a hostel and go to know a local girl really well and she was so warm and welcoming. I have to differ on the bed side of things, as despite a bad neck i love a hard bed- never travel without my travel pillow ;}

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 06:45:43 +0000

Per your invitation, here are my comments. My mother told me that when she grew up in China she would sleep on a “tatami” flat on the floor. So hard surfaces may be the norm there, as soft is more the norm here(?). Maybe the Chinese were giving you their “better” sleeping arrangements? I would imagine that cleaning/disinfecting a hard flat surface could be easier than cleaning a soft foam mattress and the linens—what do you think the bed bugs situation is like in China? Since it would cost the Chinese communities a lot to buy all new mattresses for all hotels (but perhaps just one could be affordable), perhaps it would be easier to send out a blog and invite Westerners to remember to bring an air mattress with them wherever they travel in rural and suburban China if they want any comforts of home.