不知道从什么时候开始,有很多欧美人突然像发现新大陆一样发现了东亚人这项神奇的技能:
旅行的时候,看到当地人三三两两地蹲在地上……
排队的时候,看到一个亚裔的孕妇也蹲在地上……
看篮球比赛的时候,发现中国国家男篮的队员们也蹲在地上休息……
他们纷纷到网上描述了所受到的震撼,还表示自己也曾经尝试模仿同样的姿势,结果没几秒钟就摔倒在地上。
于是,英语里就产生了一个专门的名词,“亚洲蹲” (Asian Squat)。
Buzzfeed上是这样解释“亚洲蹲”的:
Have you heard of the Asian squat? It's when the squatter keeps their heels firmly planted on the ground instead of rising up on their toes.
你听说过“亚洲蹲”吗?就是双脚后脚跟完全着地的蹲姿,脚跟翘起的姿势不算。
This form allows for a more comfortable squatting position. The weight is more centered on the heels rather than the balls of your feet and knees, giving more support.
这种蹲姿较为舒适,整个身体的重量不是集中在脚尖和膝盖,而是集中在后脚跟,给了身体更多支撑力。
Where did the Asian squat come from?
“亚洲蹲”从何而来呢?
作者的调查结果如下:
Originating in India, the squat made its way to China, where Asians figured that it was the ideal way to eat rice and be ready to defecate at any given time.
这种蹲姿源于印度,然后传到中国,亚洲人民发现这个蹲姿是最理想的进食姿势,同时也是最方便的排便姿势。
和“亚洲蹲”类似的还有一个词,“泡菜蹲”(kimchi squat),两个词意思基本相似。
Urban Dictionary是这么解释“泡菜蹲”的:
Military slang term for the way that 90% of the people of Asia sit. To properly execute the kimchi squat you must be able to touch your buttocks to your Achilles' tendons while simultaneously keeping your feet firmly planted flat on the ground.
这是一个军事俚语,指90%的亚洲人的坐姿。“泡菜蹲”的正确姿势是:臀部碰到后脚跟,整个脚掌着地。
Most Asians can hold this position for hours while waiting on a bus, smoking a cigarette, shooting the shit, or just taking one. Fewer than 5% of the population of the USA can execute this modified sitting position.
大多数亚洲人能够在等公交车、抽烟、解手的时候长时间保持蹲姿,但只有不到5%的美国人能够保持这种姿势。
有很多网站开始故作高深地解释“亚洲蹲”的好处:能够拉升大腿、锻炼腿部肌肉、促进消化和排便……等等。