Body Pillows Arrive in the Western World

"In Southeast Asia, most beds come with a long, narrow body pillow..." wrote Kitty Go in an article that appeared in this past weekend's Financial Times.

This got my attention because of late - oh, say in the past few years — I've increasingly taken to gathering one of my pillows in my arms and sometimes placing a second between my legs after I put down my book, turn out the light, and turn onto my side to go to sleep.

Why do I do this?

Because it's more comfortable than without.

So to learn that significant portion of the world has been doing this all along comes as very interesting news to me, especially when it comes from the East; everyone knows Asia will define the 21st century.

Why wait decades when you can hop on board the bandwagon now?

Ms. Go wrote that "many Westerners have their first body pillow experience in a hotel."

Anthony Ross, general manager of the Azur Lodge in Queenstown, New Zealand, said of body pillows, "They are widely used to decorate the bed in luxurious European hotels and homes."

The Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong keeps them on hand for special requests; both the Singapore and Bali Conrad Centennial Hotels have pillow menus which include Ploh's signature Body Ploh (19" x 56"/48 x 142cm) pillow.

The Body Ploh, made by The Ploh Group in Singapore, is made of goose down sealed within a 260-thread count pure cotton cover.

Richard Loh, co-founder of The Ploh Group, told Ms. Go that "the best way to use a body pillow is to hug it and place it between the legs when lying on your side."

Mine's en route as you read this.