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By Lucy Notarantonio
Senior Reporter
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A couple staying in an Airbnb were left doing a double take after discovering an unexpected message taped to their bed — and the internet can’t stop laughing.
The moment was shared on Reddit on November 30 by user Responsible-Lack-285 who posted a photo showing a wooden bed frame with a white piece of paper attached. The note reads: “Use only to sleep/no other activities.”
The poster, a man from Sweden traveling with his wife, told Newsweek they were “surprised” to see the sign waiting for them in the rental.
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He added that there was more context elsewhere in the apartment, saying: “There is another note explaining that neighbors are very sensitive to noise.
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“So, maybe it has to something to do with that. That's my best guess.”
Despite the odd instruction, the guest said they’re going along with it. He wrote n the caption, "[I] came here with my wife. Oh well,” but confirmed to Newsweek that they are respecting the rule.
The rules didn’t stop at the bed, either. In the comments, the guest shared another photo showing the TV remote with its own label reading: “Use only to turn the TV on/off.”
Still, the man was eager to make clear that the experience shouldn’t color anyone’s view of the city.
He told Newsweek: “If I had one message is that the sticker situation shouldn't reflect on anyone's perception of Istanbul. It's a lovely city with great people and we feel very welcome here.
“It's more likely a neighbor situation that can happen anywhere.”
Newsweek discussed the sign with an Airbnb spokesperson, he said: “We’ve been unable to verify that this is an Airbnb listing, however our ground rules require hosts to disclose applicable house rules before booking, so guests can make an informed decision about a space, and our 24/7 Community Support team is on hand to help in the rare event of any issues during a stay.”
Reddit Reacts
The post quickly took off, earning 70,000 upvotes and 2,000 comments in less than 24 hours, with many users offering their own theories about why the host felt the need to spell things out so bluntly.
“I feel like this means they aren’t planning to wash the sheets,” one commenter joked.
Another suggested the warning might be less about behavior and more about furniture durability, writing that the bed could be too flimsy for anything beyond sleep, they said: "The other possibility is that the bed may break. It may not be sturdy enough for “activities."
A third user floated a similar idea while showing some sympathy for the host’s past experiences: “Either the bed is not that sturdy or the owner got traumatized by a past couple leaving the place a complete mess. I can respect that.”
Not everyone assumed the note was aimed at couples, though. Some took it at face value as a general cleanliness plea.
“I can get behind this sign. I sometimes eat breakfast in bed and I’m making a mess every damn time,” another Redditor said.
For this couple, the message was more puzzling than problematic. And for the internet, it was the kind of tiny travel surprise that turns into instant comedy — one taped note at a time.
Update 12/02/25, 03:31 a.m. ET: This story has been updated to add a comment from an Airbnb spokesperson.
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