Inemuri is a Japanese word meaning “to sleep while being present” and is viewed positively as a sign of hard work. It is acceptable for those in high-ranking positions but not for lower ranks. Short periods of sleep can rejuvenate the mind, and inemuri is a light sleep from which the sleeper can easily wake up.
Inemuri is a Japanese word which means “to sleep while being present”. It refers to falling asleep in social gatherings, class, work, and various public functions. In the West, of course, falling asleep during an event is generally seen as a cause of embarrassment and shame. In Japanese culture, there is a special place for inemuri, and it is actually seen as a source of pride, rather than embarrassment.
For many Japanese people, the implication of inemuri is that someone is exhausted from working too hard and is sacrificing a night’s sleep to get the job done. Work is a very important part of Japanese culture, especially hard work, for both adults and youth, although for younger Japanese, work is related to education, rather than done in an office. In a country where people compete to log more hours worked than friends and colleagues, inemuri is the ultimate indicator of hard work.
In general, inemuri is seen as positive and acceptable to people in high-ranking positions, but not to lower ranks. A superior in a work environment may indulge in inequality before inferiors, in other words, but inferiors generally would not fall asleep in front of their bosses. Students may also engage in inemuri as they study for grueling exams and attempt to advance in the Japanese education system.
While working long hours and extreme stress might not be healthy, inemuri is actually beneficial. Short periods of sleep can rejuvenate the mind, allowing someone to focus and helping to clarify ideas. Ideally, these nano naps should last at least a few minutes for their benefits to be felt, and as fans of siestas and power naps know, a 20-30 minute sleep period in the middle of the day can be quite pleasant.
The inemuri concept explains why you may occasionally see high-profile Japanese characters who appear to be dozing off during social and public events. Typically, inemuri is a very light sleep, from which the sleeper can wake up easily, allowing him to follow events while resting his mind. As cat watchers may know, inemuri has also been adopted by the feline world.
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