September 8, 2009

Siesta time

Because of the Philippines' hot and humid weather, taking a siesta after lunch is common practice especially if your work requires laboring under the sun. What made me smile about these construction workers is the fact that they were building a new library in the Ateneo de Manila University. When I was still a student, a friend and I would always take noon naps in the library. We never got caught.

construction workers taking a siesta

25 comments:

melanie said...

Je n'ai jamais vu faire la sieste sur le lieu de travail. Sans doute fait-il très chaud !

Olivier said...

je regrette qu'en France, cela ne soit pas obligatoire. superbe ta photo

I regret that in France, it is not mandatory. superbe ta photo

VP said...

Very nice image, I understand them. Somebody here tries it at work in the offices, with mixed succes...

hadv said...

Fresh air, full stomach, what better way to spend after lunch hour but nap! :D Just woke up from one..

Layrayski said...

brings back memories eh? wow a new library buildings!

Cezar and Léia said...

I think it is difficult to return to work after this siesta! :)
Cool picture Hilda, congratulations!
Léia

Copenhagen said...

My University doesn't allow students to take nap anywhere on the campus.

Leif Hagen said...

Sometimes I ask in my office after lunch, "Is it nap time now?" Did those guys bring along their own nap maps?

Lois said...

I wish we had that custom here!

Halcyon said...

I wish we had it here too! Although I guess that also means they have to work later in the afternoon.

Amit Gupta said...

hehehe...nice posts hilda....reminds me of the time i used to work in grave yard shifts....I used to take naps b/w calls...

Andreea said...

Nice shot. We don't have this custom where I live but we do have the rather lengthy "coffee and a cigarette" breaks.

rob said...

This is a great odd shot! But for how long are they allowed to sleep?

Frank said...

As you can tell, that is not a practice in the U.S.. Although I am certain it's on everyone's mind (and wish list.) Great post!

Don and Krise said...

I don't think we'll ever adopt this practice here in the U.S. Not that I wouldn't mind it, I just don't see it happening.

Rob Siemann said...

Same here, siesta time is sacred. Many shops and offices, banks, etc, close from 2 to 5, and reopen then till 9pm. Makes for long days, though.
My office doesn't do it, unfortunately (or not), working through from 9 till 6, with one hour for lunch.

tanzaniancane said...

Ahh what a fantastic site. Naps are glorious. Even in the first 2 years of medical school, I used to find the time to take them. Now that I am in the hospitals, it's unfortunately a whole different story - probably better for the patients though!

My safari through medicine...

Lowell said...

Irony abounds! I'll bet you didn't have nice mats to lay on when you and your friend took naps.

How did you avoid getting caught?

Maybe people saw you and took pity on you, being industrious students who worked so hard for their classes?

This is a fascinating photo, Hilda!

USelaine said...

Seems like a perfectly healthy approach to the workday. I think it could happen in the US, but it would have to be on a company by company basis, with the most progressive thinking ones leading the way.

There are so many people who talk about insomnia here, and people of different ages sometimes have different sleep needs and patterns. Flexibility is probably the key.

Dina said...

Oh, what a great shot!
Complete with mats.
OK, WHERE did you sleep in a library without being noticed?? ;)

Israel used to have siesta time. Now the businesses don't close at 2-4:00 anymore. Maybe because there is more air conditioning now, or maybe we have become workaholics.

marley said...

Nap time is always a good time!

Unknown said...

What an amazing capture, Hilda!!! Just love it!

George said...

It certainly looks as if they came well-prepared for their siesta. A siesta sounds like a great idea to me -- too bad it never caught on over here!

Mirela said...

LOL! :-D I wish my boss would let me take a nap after lunch (regardless of the weather)! :)

escape said...

i like this post! great shot!