Ever since my sister pointed them out, I have been paying attention to benches in public spaces. Some cities or campuses have benches with dividers in the middle. You also see these frequently in airports and waiting areas as they are intentionally designed to discourage people from lying down or sleeping there. Other cities have embraced the flip side of that, intentionally utilizing seating areas that invite people to lean back and rest for a moment.
Bored Panda created a collection of the “92 most creative benches and seats ever” and they include many that encourage the prone position, highlighting that benches can be beautiful as well as welcoming.
You may not think something as simple as a bench could make a statement about you, but it does. Welcoming? Artsy? Pragmatic? Restrictive? Sit with your decision for a while and consider what values you wish to communicate with your choice of seats.
