Hello,
I'm reading a novel set in space. There are references to how space is something precious in the stations where humans live. Quarters are always small.
The thing is that one character is forced to do "hot-bunking." In Spain, during the 2008 recession, some people had to resort to "hot-bedding." This is sharing not a flat, nor a bedroom but a bed with another person who works a different shift.
Is this phenomenon known as hot-bunking in the English speaking world or is it hot-bunking just because of how scarce space is in this fictional future?

Strange question, isn't it? XD

Thanks in advance folks!

Question

Hello, 
I'm reading a novel set in space. There are references to how space is something precious in the stations where humans live. Quarters are always small.
The thing is that one character is forced to do "hot-bunking." In Spain, during the 2008 recession, some people had to resort to  "hot-bedding." This is sharing not a flat, nor a bedroom but a bed with another person who works a different shift.
Is this phenomenon known as hot-bunking in the English speaking world or is it hot-bunking just because of how scarce space is in this fictional future?

Strange question, isn't it? XD

Thanks in advance folks!

Answer

I don't know that term, however I intuit its meaning from the similar expression "hot potato". A "hot potato" is a potato that is, well, hot, so if you throw it to someone and they catch it, it is too hot for them to hold so they quickly throw it to someone else, and so forth.

The term is not applied to actual potatoes but rather to projects, problems, or difficult situations that people do not want to hold for long.

Answer

Oscaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar!!!!
As an American, I understand the concept of  "hot-bedding / hot-bunking" but usually only 3 groups of people do this.
a) Soldiers

b) Poor immigrants who are sharing an apartment where there are too many people for the number of beds

c) University students who are basically living in the same style as poor immigrants.

Aunque, a medida que los precios de alquiler siguen aumentando, ¡es posible que todos terminemos viviendo así eventualmente!
¿Cómo se llama el libro que estás leyendo y quién es el autor?

Good luck!