Social Question

Mariah's avatar

Can you squat with your feet flat on the ground?

Asked by Mariah (25883points) April 5th, 2017

I just saw a video on Facebook claiming that most Asians can squat with their feet flat on the ground, but that most Americans cannot. I’m skeptical, but now I’m curious: can you squat this way? I can quite comfortably.

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29 Answers

MrGrimm888's avatar

I can. It’s how I sit in my canoe. If I use the balls of my feet, it’s less stable. On the ground, I guess I usually do use the balls of my feet.

I’m considered Caucasian, and I am American…

si3tech's avatar

@Mariah No. Caucasian American here.

Zaku's avatar

Squat? As in, sit with your butt on the ground and your feet flat on the ground at the same time and on either side of it, or what, exactly?

Sneki95's avatar

It’s known as a Slav squat too.

I can’t do it, I’m too fat for that. I fail as a Slav.

MrGrimm888's avatar

I remember watching a show about this tribe in the Amazon. They didn’t have any sort of chairs. They didn’t sit at all. They squated, and balanced on the balls of their feet. Not sure what “race” they were considered. They looked like South Americans…

Aster's avatar

Halfway but it’s uncomfortable.

imrainmaker's avatar

It’ll depend on weight (body size?) that has to be balanced which may not allow average Americans / Europeans to do that. I’m able to do it though.

Call_Me_Jay's avatar

I can easily do it, but it’s not comfortable. I’m 53, American, of European ancestry.

jca's avatar

I’ll try it later, at home, in my jammies. I’m at work now and don’t want to risk ripping my pants. LOL.

ucme's avatar

Yep
English
Fit as fuck

Mariah's avatar

@Zaku Nah, butt is a few inches off the ground.

MrGrimm888's avatar

^Squatting, like a dog pooping. Right?

Pied_Pfeffer's avatar

American here. Yes, I can do it with little difficulty. This is someone ~54 and not in great shape.

Getting back up requires leaning forward, placing palms on knees, and a push. Good to know in case I ever need to relieve myself in the middle of nowhere when nature calls.

2davidc8's avatar

@Mariah Do you have to keep your feet parallel? Do you have to keep your feet together?

MrGrimm888's avatar

I actually dedicate in nature often… While squatting. I bury it every time… (guess I felt vindicated by burying it…)

Zaku's avatar

Ah, ok, yes I can do that. Helps if the feet are wider spread. Not very comfortable for very long.

Sneki95's avatar

@MrGrimm888 You a cat? :D

@2davidc8 I think you’d have to keep them apart, but it’s not mandatory. Here.

MrGrimm888's avatar

^I go out in my canoe a lot. It isn’t equipped with a restroom…

johnpowell's avatar

No difficulty..

White

Raging alcholic

Brian1946's avatar

I have an arthritic right knee, but I can comfortably squat flat footed. Squatting while I’m on the balls of my feet is harder, and I can’t when I’m on my heels.

I’m sure that I have a typically hominid anatomy, so I’m fairly sure that most humans who can squat have the same attributes.

Would anyone here like to test my observations?

I’m Caucasian, but perhaps the assumption in the video is that most Americans are. This makes me wonder if the implication of the video is that most whites are more comfortable squatting while they’re not flat-footed.

I basically agree with the first part of the video’s premise, but not the second.

chyna's avatar

I have to do it on the balls of my feet. I walk on the balls of my feet anyway and always have.

Seek's avatar

I can go both ways. Flat-footed is easier if my feet are spread akimbo.

It’s actually more comfortable for me to go flat-footed for longer periods, because then my weight is centered on the less-painful part of my foot.

I am an American of predominantly Irish descent.

Michael_Huntington's avatar

hell yeah, buddy
the real challenge is to not round your lower back at the bottom

JLeslie's avatar

In ice skating there is a move called shoot the duck. I had friends who could do it, but I couldn’t. You squat on one leg, and put the other foot out in front of you as you move forward gliding across the ice. No way I could ever do it. Not when I was 12 and not now. I can’t squat on flat feet, I’d fall on my ass.

jca's avatar

@MrGrimm888: You mean defecate? Not dedicate. LOL

MrGrimm888's avatar

^Yes. Hate this fucking “smart” phone….

LuckyGuy's avatar

i can do it easily. i noticed my arms naturally fell between my knees.

ucme's avatar

I shall get the housestaff to attempt this at the next disciplinary meeting, anyone who fails will be fired immediately, not looking good for chef, because his chances, unlike himself, are slim.

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