The Case for Siesta UK

I have not conducted a scientific or statistical exercise nor taken a public consensus or initiated something on Survey Monkey but having spoken to quite a few persons in the course of the last few weeks it appears, that like the Brexit Vote, this nation of ours is pretty closely divided on the question of either loving or hating the heatwave. 

It appears that we will just have to get used to having something like an old fashioned summer season, you know the ones that were always about when we were youngsters and every day just went on forever. 

I am not neglecting those who genuinely suffer in such persistently hot conditions, whether human or animal and I have concerns for those who have nowhere cool or shady in which to have a brief respite from the climatic conditions. 

The public park which my house overlooks has really come into its element in the hot days as a recreational and leisure space for the people of this City although sadly such amenities are few and far between on a wider national basis.

It may be that we have to simply adapt to the weather and I have started a whispering campaign for the introduction of a siesta hour every afternoon until we reach a more normal pattern of temperatures. 

For those who would reject this idea as not being entirely British, what with that insistence of working ourselves into an early grave regardless of the prevailing weather, we should take heed of our European neighbours and have a defined down-time until the severest heat has abated. 

We have already learnt, well most of us, to eat and drink socially out of doors and so adopting a siesta would be a simple, further step towards being quite civilised and chic....oh, and sensible.

It would be necessary for there to be staggered siesta rota amongst the population so that the whole country does not shut down, for example a combined lunch/snooze from 12 noon to 1pm, early afternoon session from 1pm to 2pm and a late one of 2pm to 3pm. 

On a shift basis we could each do a suitable pattern. 

The upside would be a reinvigorated workforce and general society all fully refreshed to resume respective activities into the cool of the evening and beyond. 

This would all entail a huge cultural shift. Alternatively we could just stay as we are and continue to be a source of amusement and bemusement  to the world at large as portrayed so well in the wonderful Noel Coward lyrics of his song "Mad Dogs and Englishmen",

In tropical climes there are certain times of day
When all the citizens retire
To tear their clothes off and perspire
It's one of those rules that the greatest fools obey
Because the sun is much too sultry
And one must avoid its ultra violet ray
Papalaka papalaka papalaka boo
Papalaka papalaka papalaka boo
Digariga digariga digariga doo
Digariga digariga digariga doo
The native grieve when the white 
Men leave their huts, because
They're obviously definitely nuts!
Mad dogs and Englishmen
Go out in the midday sun
The Japanese don't care to
The Chinese wouldn't dare to
Hindoos and Argentines sleep 
Firmly from twelve to one
But Englishmen detest a siesta


In the Philippines
There are lovely screens

To protect you from the glare
In the Malay States
There are hats like plates
Which the Britishers won't wear
At twelve noon the natives swoon
And no further work is done
But mad dogs and Englishmen
Go out in the midday sun
It's such a surprise for the Eastern eyes to see
That though the English are effete
They're quite impervious to heat
When the white man rides every native hides in glee
Because the simple creatures hope he
Will impale his solar topee on a tree
Bolyboly bolyboly bolyboly baa
Bolyboly bolyboly bolyboly baa
Habaninny habaninny habaninny haa
Habaninny habaninny habaninny haa
It seems such a shame
When the English claim
The earth that they give rise to 
Such hilarity and mirth

Mad dogs and Englishmen
Go out in the midday sun.
The toughest Burmese bandit
Can never understand it
In Rangoon the heat of noon
Is just what the natives shun
They put their Scotch or Rye down
And lie down in a jungle town

Where the sun beats down
To the rage of man and beast
The English garb
Of the English sahib
Merely gets a bit more creased
In Bangkok
At twelve o'clock
They foam at the mouth and run
Slut mad dogs and Englishmen
Go out in the midday sun
Mad dogs and Englishmen
Go out in the midday sun.
The smallest Malay rabbit
Deplores this stupid habit in Hongkong
They strike a gong 

and Fire off a noonday gun

To reprimand each inmate  

Who's in late 

In the mangrove swamps

Where the python romps
There is peace from twelve till two
Even caribous
Lie around and snooze
For there's nothing else 
To do in Bengal to move 
At all is seldom, if ever done
But mad dogs and Englishmen

Go out in the midday sun

Try this link 

Sing a long with Noel

Songwriter: Noel Coward

Mad Dogs and Englishmen lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc