A
nap is a short period of
sleep, typically taken during daylight hours as an adjunct to the usual nocturnal sleep period. Naps are most often taken as a response to
drowsiness during waking hours. Cultural attitudes toward napping during the
work day vary. In many
Western cultures, children and the elderly are expected to nap during the day and are provided with designated periods and locations to do so. In these same cultures, most working adults are not expected to sleep during the day and
napping on the job is widely considered unacceptable. Other cultures (especially those in hot climates) serve their largest meals at
midday, with allowance for a nap period (
siesta) afterwards before returning to work.