I recently got into a heated discussion on a travel forum. The discussion was about whether it was acceptable to sleep in the same single bed as your girlfriend/boyfriend within a shared dormitory (With no funny business involved).

Most people concluded that they would be somewhat annoyed if the couple in question hadn’t paid for two single beds and were trying to get by using just one.

I understood where they were coming from, no one wants an extra person in an already crowded room. It often feels like someone just isn’t willing to pay their own way when you see this happening out on the road. I feel this is not just self-fish and inconsiderate to the other dorm mates but a lack of manners in general.

I agreed with all the opinions that both individuals should pay their own way, but where we did disagree was if the couple had indeed paid for two single beds. I think that a couple staying in a dormitory with other people (usually people they’ve never met before) should stay in their own single beds and not share one single. Surely they are mature enough to be able to sleep on their own whilst traveling? If not they should pay for a private room. Many people argued that private rooms are just too expensive.

Most people disagreed with my opinion. Maybe I’m in the minority, but sharing a sleeping space to me means being considerate and not behaving like it is your own private room at home or university. A dormitory is a communal area and should be treated as such, with respect for fellow travelers.

Do you have an opinion on sharing single beds in a dorm?

Feel free to comment below…