Category: Let's talk
Here's a wierd one for ya. My entire life, I have used 2 sheets on my bed, one fitted sheet for the bottom and one regular sheet to go over me. I then put a blanket over the top sheet. Well, when I moved to the UK, I noticed a lot of people only use one sheet. They say the 2 sheets are reserved for hotels and places like that. Why? They only have a bottom sheet and a thick cover on top of them. I find that hard because I like it real cold when I sleep and get too hot too easily with using just the one sheet. So my question is, what are your sheet experiences? lol. Does sheet usage differ from country to country? hehehehe
Lizzy
lol Liz, Dan and I have this discussion too. he doesn't think the bed needs two sheets. but i put it on anyway. hehehe smiles. i think it's just the individual preference and what your used to. but yeah, would be interested to see what people have to sayabout it
smiles, Shea
In Cyprus people use two sheets because in the Summer it gets very hot and you only need a sheet over you or nothing some nights. In the Winter we keep the second sheet and we put over it a quilt and if it is too cold a blanket as well. So when making the bed especially in the Winter we have got three things to care off. The sheet, quilt and blanket which i find boring. In England i was glad to realise that things are easier. Only one bottom sheet and a quilt with its cover. This makes it very easy to make the bed in the mornings appart from the time when you have to wash the sheets. I needed a bit of time to learn how to put the quilt in its cover.
But personaly i liked the one sheet idea and i find it very easy.
Very interesting question.
I like subjects like that. Some other subjects we could have is the taps in England and the rest of the world where in England there are two taps but in other countries only one, or the electricity thing where in England we have got three pins and in other countries only two and much more.
I Like this topick.
it sounds like a bunch of bull sheet. hehehe smiles. Another thing that Dan has found that he don't care for is the fact that in england they have on off switches for there plugs and in the states we don't.
I think part of the reason over here in the States for having a second sheet is that the quilts, or comforters as they're known over here, don't have covers to them so I suppose it would be unhygienic not to have a sheet between you and it. the comforter, like our quilts in the UK, don't get washed very often if ever so you see the need for the extra sheet from that perspective.
As for the plug sockets here in America, they're rediculously dangerous but who am I to tell the most technologically advanced nation in the World that somebody made a serious fuck up when designing those things. LOL.
Dan.
I agree about the plugs in other countries that are dangerous. Cyprus used to be a British colony so the British left some good things behind such as the plugs so we have got the same as in England. When i went to Greece i found it strange not having a swich.
Lol Shea and Dan. Sounds like you guys and James and I have some of the same discussions. The thing about the thick covers over here is that when you take the cover off, it's so hard to get back on. It needs like two people to do it. lol I use the top sheet any way.
About the plugs, I like the one over here, especially since the voltage is so high. About the taps, I hate them here. It's really hard to do the dishes. You either freeze your hands or scold them! Ouchy! We got a thing for the tub that makes the two taps into one. Another thing is that everything seems to be scaled down over here. The appliances are smaller, the food quantities are smaller, streets are smaller, etc etc. I could go on and on. lol
What else?
Lizzy
Well as for me I am a two sheet kind of person. With the fitted sheet covering the mattress then atop a sheet, quilts, blankets and finally a comforter. Also my favorite sheets are the softie flannel ones as opposed to say cotton ones...even in the hottest of summer it is flannel sheets and pillow cases for me...
hmmmm, wonder if you would be saving energy if you could turn the plugs off. interesting idea.
I used to sleep with only one sheet, that being the fitted sheet, but now it's difficult for me to sleep unless I have both the fitted and top sheets. It's not really a question of warmth, just of comfort. But yes, I can see where it would be more convenient for washing and remaking the bed if you only had one sheet.
I use two sheets, the fitted one on the bed, an the one on top of me, between me and the blanket. Then I put a thick comforter over all that. I, too, like it cool at night, so I can curl up under the nice, warm blankets.
Of course everything is smaller in the UK, its a smaller country! <smile> I don't like the two taps or faucets, that is annoying. I do, however, really like the warm towel racks so when you get a towel after coming out of the shower, it is nice and warm. I've only stayed in hotels in the UK, so am not sure if this is something people have in their houses or if its just a hotel thing. Have never seen it in the US though. As for the sheet thing, the first time I was in the UK, I actually rang the desk because I thought they had forgotten something when making up the bed. Its what I grew up with, so I prefer two sheets and lots of blankets.
All I know is I'm grateful for the invention of the sheet because sheets happened.
I used to use two sheets, but now I only use one sheet and a blanket. Not sure why lol I just like it better.
I don't know what you guys are talking about. I've always just used a big warm blanket to keep me warm at night. If it gets too cold though, I just wear a warm sweater. What's with all this sheets and blankets? You guys use covers during the summer? What the hell!
Lizz, I think the thing with putting the cover onto the quilt is a question of practice. I could certainly put a double quilt into a cover on my own but then, I've been doing it since I was 8 or 9! lol.
Shawn to answer your question yes you can significantly reduce electric bills by switching the plugs off when they're not being used. Everything draws electricity even when you're not using it.
In fact when I was in Australia my Dad and step Mom confidently claimed that they'd halved their electric bills just from switching plugs off on things when they were not in use. That included the TV and stereo etc. Apparently it really does work.
Dan.
Dan, perhaps you can share your tips on how to put the cover in? lol We have a full size bed.
Lizzy
Well, the trick Lizzy is to first turn the cover inside out, then put your head and arms inside the cover putting each hand at one of the top corners. Like this you need to grab the two bottom corners of the quilt itself and then, holding onto the corners all the time, shake the cover over the quilt while pulling the quilt through at the same time.
Sounds crazy I know, and certainly not a position you'd ever want to be photographed in, but trust me, it really does work.
Dan.
Oh, Ya, I forgot. I use a bottom sheet then a second sheet and my cumferter over that.
The best sheets I've found are those Jersey sheet, they feel like tea-shirt material.
Someone else spoke of that towell warmer, it interested me enough that I went a looking.
I found one and ordered it for 34.99, just do a search on froogle and you'll find it too!
that will be cool!
now to find the pluggs you can turn off. lol
Thanks dan for that lovely discription. lol. I'll give it a try next time. Another thing I remembered is that air conditioning isn't as common over here. I know it's because it doesn't get as hot here as it does in the states but try being in my house up stairs in the summer. It's unbearable. I really wish we had air conditioning. We keep the windows open constantly but then that lets in the flys. lol
Lizzy
Ah yes, air-conditioning and screens for windows and doors. Both things that England really does need because in spite of the rumours, England does get unpleasantly hot some times during the summer months. Two days in a row if it's a really good summer!
Dan.
I was in a hotel in the UK and the only room that had air conditioning was the pub. Good reason to sit and have a pint or two or three!
Oh, wow. I couldn't imagine not having AC in the summer around here. Why don't hotels over the UK have it? You'd think that touristy places would.
So what's this about plugs you can switch off? We can't do that in the US, only unplug an item. I wonder if that would cut down on an electric bill like shutting outlets off does for you guys? Hmm.
I've noticed loads of differences from Iceland (not sure how representative it is of Europe in general) and the U.S. just a few thoughts (I slep with whatever keeps me warm, my fiance always does the trick, may be a few sheets ifnecessary):
Any fruit flavorred beverage in the U.S. is overloaded with sweeteners (sparkling water for instance, a lime flavorred one tastes like it's got 20 tea spoons of sugar per zip, even if the bottle claims no sugar added) in Europe you get the fruit flavor without the sweetness, it's not always worse but sometimes the sweetness just gets too much.
In the U.S. any car I've ever come across has AC, you only have to stay there one summer to see why, in Iceland you open the window to cool down, in the U.S. that doesn't work, I've tried, lots of times.
In U.S. max temperature of the hot water is set on the water heater so you can set it so that you can't burn yourself, you hardly ever use water hotter than 60 degrees C (130F). In Iceland we have the two tap system and if you use the hot one first you can seriously burn your hand.
Lizzie, you know, they say everything is bigger in Texas (grin).
Also the ethnic foods (Indian, Mexican etc) are a fad over here, the ethnic places are expensive and what you do for special occasions, in the U.S. they are more every dy ish, much cheaper and you go there for lunch, not for fancy dinner once a year.
The other stupid thing about electrical outlets in the U.S. are that they are generally not even surrounded with a frame or in an "inlet" in the wall, they are just on the wall itself, don't ever explore the wall with a wet hand, I did it a few times to plug in my George Foremann grill and got shocked quite badly.
The U.S. does not have a washser and dryer, both in one machine, I've seen it in Europe and think it's a brilliant idea, at least I have not noticed it.
In Europe office buildings and other official buildings turn off the lights at night when no one's there, in the U.S. those buildings are lit up like mad all night, even if there's no one there, I think it's a bit sad and loads of waste.
Europe does not have mail in rebates (and that's a point in its favor).
Europe also include taxes in all prices and I usually prefer that to the U.S. system where tax is not included in advertized price, you get used to i though.
In Iceland you don't tip at restaurants, I used to not like tipping and felt it should be included but now I prefer to tip, you can express how satisfied you were with the service and you can really make a difference, you generally get better and quicker service in a U.S. restaurant.
Those are just a few things I can think off but I may add others.
cheers y'all
-B
It's interesting how different countries do things. About the quilt covers, I think they have those here in the US, so you could get one if you wanted it.
As for sheets, I usually sleep on top of both sheets and just use a blanket. The making of the bed becomes easier. lol
hello my girlfriend does that. before I moved in with her I always would use 2 sheets. she though says that if she gets cold she can get more blankets. also it saves time when making a bed.
Jess
Well, mum and I both have electric blankets, loads nicer than a hot water bottle as they warm up the whole bed as oppose to just the head or foot of the bed. Over the electric blanket on my bed though, I have a fitted top sheet and at the moment, a single duvet which is sort of two duvets in one. A thick winter half and a thinner summer half with a Harry Potter duvet cover and pillow cases. Mum's only got cotton sheets, but I love the T-shirt/jersey or flannel sheets too. In the summer though, the electric blanket and winter half of the duvet're put away in the airing cupboard or attic and I just have the thinner Summer duvet on the bed.
I like one sheet over me, and then the blanket.
lol. I'm glad some american/english couples have found the same subject a topic of discussion. I've often talked to Cala about how I make my bed, with a sheet and then a douvet, (or however it's spelt,) whereas she is convinced by the two sheets and bed spread thing. I think the Brits and American's just have a very different idea of how a bed should be made.
In the summer, my douvet goes, and I just have a sheet or it'd be too warm, but yeah, it's definitely the way to go in the winter. Just one of those things we do differently, spoze?
When i was in Spain i saw that they have the two sheets as well. I think in most countries they do that even in my country. But i am a supporter of the English way of making a bed. Much easier.
I say it's easier because i am using a single bed at the moment. When i use a double one in the future i don't know how easy it is going to be tu put the duvate or whatever is called in the cover lol.
I personally have a 2-sheet policy.
I don't make my bed, and I'm not afraid to admit that. I should probably start doing that. lol
Don't wory. I wasn't making my bed when i was at home. But here at university i learned how to do a lot of things. When we don't have people around to do things for us we have to learn. That's why i am a supporter of a blind person to study far away or live far away so parents won't be able to come and solve problems easily. So the options will be two. Either to learn to solve problems or give up but fortunately the first option works most of the time.
I've been making my own bed since I was just 7 years old and away at Boarding school. However, the sheets they had in our unit at Dorton House weren't fitted sheets. They were the hospital-type fitted sheets which you had to tuck all four corners in and fold them over the right way and everything. When I moved schools, I still had to make my own bed,but this time, they only had fitted sheets so I had to learn how to put the bottom sheet on the bed all over again. I now make my bed at home where we also use fitted bottom sheets, duvets, under pillow cases as well as the top pillow cases on my bed and a matress slip which just rests on top of the mattress under the lectric blanket because we'd never fit the mattress inside it because it's one of those big, deep, soft mattresses you just snuggle in to.
oh my gosh. okay, in the winter it's a bottom sheet for me and a duvet. in the summer, i put another sheet over me as it's too hot. i also make the duvets in the way dan describes, thank god nobody's seen me in those positions. i've been making single beds on my own since i was 13, but now i've got a king sized bed, i have to have slight help with it. i'll get there one day though.