Couple’s ‘weird’ sleeping habits divides the internet

An Irish couple revealed their bizarre bed habits on Twitter — leaving people irate, concerned and even downright confused.

An Irish couple have sent the internet into a frenzy after revealing a bizarre swap arrangement they adhere to in the bedroom this month.

Steve O’Rourke, a writer from Dublin, took to Twitter at the weekend after a casual conversation he had with some colleagues at work about what side of the bed each of them slept on.

When asked, Steve explained that he and his partner, Amy, didn’t have a fixed side of the bed as they regularly swapped, news that seemed to upset his peers greatly.

“We were just chatting in work and apparently it’s weird that Amy and I don’t sleep on the same side of the bed every night,” Steve wrote on Twitter.

Steve O'Rourke is an Irish writer who shared his bizarre sleeping habits with the world. Picture: Twitter

He continued, saying some nights he just likes to switch things up.

“Some nights I like to sleep by the window, some nights the door,” he said.

“It’s not really that unusual, is it?”

Well, poor old Steve certainly got an answer because the tweet generated thousands of comments from total strangers, many of whom were irate the couple dared to cross the invisible bed boundary.

For those who aren’t aware, this is a strict boundary that is established, like a battleline, at the beginning of every relationship and is never tampered with or crossed.

We were just chatting in work and apparently it's weird that Amy and I don't sleep on the same side of the bed every night. Some nights I like to sleep by the window, some nights the door. It's not really that unusual, is it?

— Steve O'Rourke (@steveohrourke) March 22, 2019

People simply refused to believe Steve’s story was real despite his constant assurance he was telling the truth.

A hashtag was created to #prayforsteve, while others said the news had caused them a great deal of anxiety.

“I can’t deal. Too much complexity. I might need to leave Twitter,” one man wrote.

Steve, my friend. You and I have never met, and I feel deeply, deeply uncomfortable with your lifestyle choices, but I want you to know that I wholeheartedly support your right to live your life in whatever outlandish way you please. Be well, special one ✊

— Gerannosaurus (@Gerannosaurus) March 22, 2019

Undeterred, Steve ploughed on, outlining the couple even has a set of rules when they side swap.

Feel like I need to point out the following:

1. First one in chooses
2. We've never disagreed over it
3. We move pillows and books as we move
4. We don't change every single night
5. Neither of us are aliens

— Steve O'Rourke (@steveohrourke) March 24, 2019

He claimed the couple sometimes could go “days or weeks without swapping”.

“And when we do swap, it’s rarely discussed, just whoever goes to bed first decides.”

But Steve’s attempts to normalise the “swapper” lifestyle fell on deaf ears.

I know what all these words mean but cannot make sense of how you have put them together

— John Maguire (@JMaguireCritic) March 22, 2019

I can’t even process this information

— Same Old Silent Disco (@sameoldniamh) March 22, 2019

One man jumped on Steve, claiming his sleeping arrangements were “extremely f***ing weird, actually”.

“But why? Everyone keeps saying it’s weird, but nobody has explained why,” Steve said.

“You don’t have a side of the couch, or a set seat at the table.”

But Colin wouldn’t back down, saying that having a side of the bed was the natural order of things and shouldn’t be meddled with. Ever.

Well.. Its just.. I don't.. You have a side of the bed, and that's your side of the bed, and they have theirs. And that's that. It's a bit like saying, "I think I'll go sleep in the neighbors house tonight"..

— Colin O'Hara (@colinpohara) March 22, 2019

Others became concerned about the disastrous consequences of departing from their designated side of the bed.

I think this is OK and probably would do this myself so I decided to ask my partner if he would consider it. He was adamant it would upset too many things; like he wouldn't know where his glasses are and he might press my head thinking it's an alarm.

— Nina (@ninacanttweet) March 23, 2019

But Steve promised “it’s never an issue”.

One person even produced a diagram, titled “Various Bedroom Configurations and Bed Orientations”, which detailed how they had swapped sides with their other half for nearly 40 years.

I’m reading these out to my partner of 39 years and he reminds me that we have swapped sides over the years and then produces the documentation. Mind blown! pic.twitter.com/0A6H41IK5u

— Amanda Coulston (@AmandaCoulston) March 23, 2019

Unused to all the attention, Steve expressed his astonishment the story had made waves across the world.

“I’m used to being on the other side of the byline,” Steve said.

“As the dad of a 5yo who wakes at 6.15am 365 days of the year, however people get their sleep is cool with me.”

Many people felt emancipated by Steve’s brave story, rejoicing they could finally speak openly about their secret side swapping.

There is nothing wrong with this, thank you for speaking up for people like us.

— Stefan Ayto (@Ershatz) March 24, 2019

Finally. Another coupe who swap sides. Best thing ever.

— Luke (@Leric31seven) March 24, 2019

Not weird to me. My partner and I have done this for 20 years. I think it’s weird to be territorial over part of a piece of furniture.

— Penny Farrow (@mammabee) March 24, 2019

Others said they were open to exploring the uncharted terrain of the opposite side of the bed.

I never realised it was an option!!! TONIGHT EVERYTHING CHANGES

— Cromerty🎙Voiceover & Voice Actor (@Cromerty) March 23, 2019

Update: I just had a nap on the ‘other side’. It was nice

— Emilie McMeekan (@emiliemcmeekan) March 24, 2019

People have even turned Steve’s experience into a household expression.

In Ireland we don’t say ‘I love you.’
We say ‘I see somebody woke up on the Steve O’Rourke side of the bed’ and I think that’s beautiful.

— Tony Groves (@Trickstersworld) March 25, 2019

In the end, Steve agreed to disagree with the rest of the world.

“Who knew people had such strong feelings on bedtime,” he said.

Sweet dreams, Steve.