Maria Smedstad: Bedroom talk

British and Scandinavian people have a lot in common. One place where we sometimes differ is in the bedroom. What goes on between the sheets in our respective countries is a topic of much heated debate. I don’t know why, but It’s taken me sixteen years to insist on doing things the Scandinavian way with my British husband. When I finally requested this change, my suggestion was met with reluctance and scepticism. ‘It’s not right’, he objected, ‘It’s not normal!’ and ‘It’s just not British!’

But finally, he relented, and I immediately purchased the controversial items I felt we needed. I’m talking about TWO separate duvets instead of a shared one, of course! “I guess I should be grateful it’s still just one bed instead of two,” my husband grumbled. Because yes – this is how many Scandinavians live. They don’t see the point of suffering sleepless nights tangled with their partners when, instead, they can enjoy the cool, undisturbed comfort that comes with having separate beds.

Or, in our case, that comes with separate duvets. It makes Scandi sense, like cheese slicers, doors that open outwards, extra-long shoehorns, and queue-less queuing (although I have my opinions on this). After a few weeks of not sharing a duvet, my husband now reluctantly agrees that it makes for a better night’s sleep. My friends and family in Sweden are delighted. “What’s next,” they muse, excitedly, “having your water pipes inside the house, instead of on the outside?!” I smile at this, aware that indoor plumbing is, and likely always will be, just one step too far.