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75,000 teddy bears left behind in hotels every year
This has got to be the saddest statistic I've heard in a long time.Just think of it--seventy-five thousand teddy bears wondering why they got left behind. Seventy-five thousand distraught owners. Seventy-five thousand hotel owners frantically calling Teddy Bear Protection Services to get the bears emotional support.
It gets worse.
The figure is only for bears lost and returned last year at one hotel chain--Travelodge. Granted it's one of the biggest budget chains in Europe with 380 hotels and 6.5 million guests last year, but think what the statistics must be globally. While Travelodge has made heroic efforts to reunite teddies with their families, it's obvious the UN needs to gets involved.
Faced with this problem Travelodge did a bit of research and surveyed 6,000 people about their teddies. They made the surprising discovery that teddies are popular with adults too. A third of adults go to bed with a stuffed animal, and 25 percent of men take teddies on business trips with them. Respondents said it's comforting to go to bed with a teddy, and psychologists say having a cuddly friend from home helps people feel comfortable in a strange place.
It's heartening to see teddies enjoying travel. Some bears even have their own blogs, like Travel Schlepp, who is currently in Taiwan and offers some good advice on what to pack when going to Asia this season. BBC travel correspondent Misery Bear tells of the dangers of visiting the beach.
Just remember, teddy friends, to check your bed before checking out. You don't want to leave your best friend behind.
Cute teddy photo courtesy user Mike R via Wikimedia Commons.
Filed under: Europe, Hotels and Accommodations
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Marilyn Terrell Aug 22nd 2010 5:24PM
Not surprised. I once left my bear Albert at the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec and they kindly sent him back by express mail. There briefly was a travel service in Prague that would take your stuffed animals around to notable sites and photograph them there, but they appear to have gone out of business:
http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/02/daily-radar-022410.html
Matthew Aug 23rd 2010 3:54AM
My girlfriend always brings her teddy. Schwing!
leslierichard17 Aug 23rd 2010 10:50AM
Sweet story...but could all that bear-bringing be responsible for the international outbreak of bedbug infestations? Is Teddy carrying Buggies home? Just a thought!
jorgebrito2 Aug 23rd 2010 10:50AM
Hey I have known adults that take pics with Mickey and Goofy at the Disney theme parks alone. I have also known adults that go trick or treating on Halloween by themselves.
DAVID OSBORNE Aug 23rd 2010 10:51AM
MT TEDDY BEAR, QUICKSILVER ROLLING THUNDER, HAS TRAVELED WITH ME FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS. HE OFTEN SITS IN MY LAP WHILE DRIVING, OR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WEARING HIS SEAT BELT. HE IS A WISE COMPANION WHO CONSISTENTLY GIVES GOOD ADVICE. HE IS ALSO VERY FUNNY AND IS A HIT WITH THE LADIES.
doc Aug 23rd 2010 11:02AM
My daughter many years ago left her Nala (Lion King) at a hotel.
We called and had it shipped home by UPS
pricey but worth the look on her face when it was returned.
Kathy Aug 23rd 2010 11:43AM
My teddy bear, Bobby, was with us on our honeymoon 20 years ago. And just last year, Bobby, went with us to my brothers home, and to my 30th high school reunion, but he was not photographed. Bobby went to Las Vegas with my husband on business earlier this year. A teddy bear is comforting when you are away from family, because it gives you a sense of home while you are gone.
Whether male or female, young or old, you can't say anything bad about having a teddy bear with you.
Tammy Aug 23rd 2010 11:57AM
I always travel with my stuffed Bevo, always..
Jina Aug 23rd 2010 12:29PM
Teddy bear? I never leave home without him!!
Maids and room attendants at hotels and on cruise ships always have always made sure that Throttles is comfy. Sometimes they put him in charge of the pillow mints, or snug him up with extra pillows or the creature of the day (fashioned out of a bath towel). Sometimes the bed is made around him so he can sleep all day, which is, of course, his favorite thing to do. :)
I
Sean McLachlan Aug 23rd 2010 1:40PM
When we were up in Durham last week the maids made a pillow fort for my son's bear. Little boy bears like pillow forts.
Tistyen Aug 23rd 2010 12:46PM
When I first started traveling on business, I took a fluffy stuffed kitty with me. The first trip, I had trouble falling asleep until I draped Kitty across the pillow above my head with one paw on my arm as the cat I had at home at the time was wont to sleep, and I had no trouble falling asleep after that. Kitty has long since worn out; now I travel with a small teddy bear to keep me company.
Tweety Aug 23rd 2010 12:48PM
OMG!!!! I have been telling EVERYONE for years that it's NORMAL for a grown-up to travel/sleep with a stuffed animal. My best friend gave me a stuffed Tweety Bird my freshman year in college...I sleep with him EVERY NIGHT and take him on ALL trips! My family and friends talk so badly about me because he's so old and dingy! LOL (I've had to sew his legs back on twice!!!!) At night while my fiance' holds me...I hold Tweety ;-D
Angie Aug 23rd 2010 1:11PM
I'm 38 years old. My bear is 37 :) I got him when I was a baby and have slept with him almost constantly ever since. (yes, even when involved romantically..he's small and fits under the pillow so I just drag him out when it's time for sleeping).
Only forgot him once, fortunately that was at a family member's house. He's the first thing to be packed (next to medicines that is) if I'm in a hotel.
Dman Aug 23rd 2010 1:17PM
Come on people, you have got to be kidding me... Adults with teddy bears? What next? Funny story, I loved it.
Just do me a favor, don't touch any of my teddy bears or you will be in a world of hurt. I am glad to see that there are others that love their bears like I love mine. Strange, but true. They are awesome..
GRWNUP Aug 23rd 2010 1:34PM
Wow... Just...wow. Really? 25% of my coworkers are traveling with a Teddy? I highly doubt that. The thought is far too pathetic and ridiculous. Adults traveling with teddies... Granted there are things people keep from their childhood for sentimental reasons, but traveling with a 37 year old Teddy is just ridiculous. Get a grip, come to the realization that you are an adult, and quit being such a loser. Just my opinion.
Sean McLachlan Aug 23rd 2010 1:37PM
Somebody needs a cuddle.
shirley craddock Aug 23rd 2010 2:27PM
yes teddies are comfy, but i have a gissmo who has been with me for six years now and even made a hit with the nurses at the hospital when i had surgery. don't go away without your best friend
Kel Aug 23rd 2010 2:49PM
Two stuffed Dachshunds travel with us. They have their own Picture I.D. Cards and especially enjoy ocean cruises. They have been to Alaska twice, Hawaii 3 times, Mexican Riviera twice, even on The Oasis of The Seas, and coastal sailing. They both have lei's and the girl has a sarong. It all started as a joke and has continued along with several cabin stewards getting into the act as well.
Tammy Aug 23rd 2010 3:25PM
I have a sock monkey that my husband and I bought for my birthday this year. I had one when I was a kid and loved it. I think, after reading this article I will take her on the cruise we are going on next week. Great idea. Violet will be very happy traveling with us I am sure.
Tonie Aug 24th 2010 2:38AM
I almost lost my best friend in an airport in Switzerland - He was showing off all the badges he had collected in our travels and a young man of about 6 decided that my Angus (he's a Scots Bear) should be his. His mother demanded that I give it to him. No way! Thought we were all going to get thrown out of the airport. Now he travels in the suitcase.