Pillow Talk .   Travel #BlogShorts

Jules Heartly | Summer 2023

The Strange Pillow Practices of Spaniards: A Battle for Comfort

Greetings, dear readers! Prepare yourselves for a delightful tour through the peculiar world of Spanish bedding customs. Buckle up, because we’re about to embark on a thrilling adventure of pillows and relationships!

Ah, Spain. The land of flamenco, tapas, and siestas. But did you know that Spain also boasts its very own unconventional pillow traditions? Yes, my friends, in Spain, a double bed does not equate to two pillows. Oh no, that would be far too logical. Instead, the Spaniards have chosen to bless their beds with one colossal pillow. What absolute madness!

Picture this: a standard double or queen-sized bed, neatly adorned with a single, long tube-shaped pillow stretching across its entire width. It’s like a giant caterpillar has taken residence on your bed! But why, oh why, Spain? Why must you torment us so?

Sharing a bed with this Spanish-style pillow can be a real challenge. It ignites an all-out war for the perfect position and ultimate comfort. Coordination becomes key when you need to flip the pillow to the cold side or fold it to prop yourself up for some nighttime reading. But what happens when your partner is sound asleep, and you desperately need to move the pillow? The struggle is real, my friends, and it’s not exactly a recipe for restful slumber.

Yet, despite my bafflement, it seems most Spaniards are infatuated with this curious custom. Let me regale you with a tale of one poor Spaniard who ventured to Germany for a year of study. Our protagonist arrived, ready to furnish his new apartment, only to be met with sheer horror. He couldn’t find a pillow long enough to occupy his double bed! Can you imagine the anguish? Poor soul, tormented by the thought of sleeping with a pillow that didn’t embrace the entire width of the bed. The horror!

Now, let’s address the elephant – or should we say, pillow – in the room. As an American, I must confess that I am rather fond of my two fluffy pillows. In Spain, this means purchasing your own pillows and lugging them around every time you move. Yes, my dear readers, the struggle of moving your personal fluffy companions from place to place is all too real, although I have seen hotels already adjusting to most of the rest of the world traditional practice of using separate pillows 😉

But hold on! Before we condemn this peculiar Spanish pillow practice to the depths of our baffled minds, there are some suggested benefits to sharing such a ginormous pillow with your partner. It is said that sharing a pillow can intensify emotional and physical connection, promoting intimacy, security, and comfort. Even more intriguing, studies have shown that snuggling and physical touch can release oxytocin, the hormone of bonding and happiness. Who would have thought?

Now, before you rush off to purchase your very own communal pillow, remember one crucial fact: these customs are subjective. Each couple must find what works best for them. What may be a source of annoyance for some could potentially fuel the flames of passion for others.

As we bid adieu to the captivating realm of Spanish bedding habits, I leave you, dear readers, with a newfound appreciation for the simple act of sharing a pillow. Whether you revel in the togetherness or demand individual fluffiness, remember that it’s the little quirks that keep our relationships interesting.

Until next time, sleep tight and may your pillows always be in perfect harmony specially if you want to “consult something with your pillow tonight” 😉

And by the way …What is your pillow preference? Let me know!

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