Enjoying porridge the ‘Asian Squat’ way
GEORGE TOWN: One of the most peculiar sitting positions is on a low, small stool with your legs drawn in till you appear to be squatting.
The position looks a lot like what the western world calls the “Asian Squat”, which many long-legged Caucasians cannot seem to achieve.
Yet somehow, labourers and trishaw riders of yesteryear seem to prefer this position when they eat.
At the 77- year- old Tan Jin Hock’s Teochew porridge stall, patrons are often seen seated just that way while slurping down bowls of hot porridge along Magazine Road.
They place their low stools on benches and mount up.
History buffs simply have no clue of how this peculiarity came into existence.
According to local history blogger Timothy Tye, there are no records of the habit and the original rationale is lost in history.
“All that is known is that trishaw men and labourers loved to sit like that when they eat. Maybe it relieves their legs after working all day,” Tye said.
Stall owner Tan said his older patrons had sat like that since olden times.
“We have been here for over 70 years, and I provide stools for those who loved to squat.
“We do provide tables and chairs for those who prefer the modern way,” Tan said.
Student Shirley Saw, 19, is a regular patron and said while she admired Tan for keeping the old ways alive, she prefers chairs.
“I used to think the way they squat and eat seemed funny. This is the only porridge stall I’ve seen with this seating style.
“The dishes are great and the uncles who squat to eat make interesting small talk sometimes,” Saw said.
Construction worker T.H. Loh, 47, said he loves eating in that position.
“Squatting feels really comforting for my back after a long day at work, and it doesn’t feel weird here
since everyone is doing it.
“It also feels less lonely because when we squat around together while eating, we can chat with one another,” Loh added.
This “squatting porridge stall” is beside Bee Hong coffee shop along Magazine Road, opposite 1st Avenue Mall. It opens from 10.30am to 5pm from Thursday to Sunday.