How to handle late-night nudity
2007-10-26 10:00
London - A surge in naked
sleepwalking among guests has led one of Britain's largest
budget hotel groups to re-train staff to handle late-night
nudity.
Travelodge, which runs more than 300 business hotels in
Britain, says sleepwalking rose seven-fold in the past year, and
95% of the somnambulants are scantily-clad men.
"We have seen an increased number of cases over the years so
it is important that our staff know how to help sleepwalking
when it arises," Leigh McCarron, the chain's sleep director,
said in a statement.
One tip in the company's newly released "sleepwalkers guide"
tells staff to keep towels handy at the front desk in case a
customer's dignity needs preserving.
The company said naked wanderers often ask receptionists
such questions as "Where's the bathroom?", "Do you have a
newspaper?" or "Can I check out, I'm late for work?"
Studies have found that sleepwalking can be brought on by
stress, alcohol, eating cheese or consuming too much caffeine.
It generally takes effect an hour or two after going to bed,
when people are first slipping into a deep sleep.
Asked on Thursday why she thought 95% of its
sleepwalkers were naked men, a Travelodge spokesperson said: "We
have more men staying with us than women, so that could be a
factor."
- Reuters