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A recent viral video has sparked discussions about the peculiar design of a restaurant chair in Paris. In the clip shared on TikTok, a woman appears perplexed by how to actually use one of the counter chairs, leading to humorous commentary online, including one remark, “Why they got you sitting on a tootsie roll?”
The chair in question resembles a large, unshaped lump that some have likened to a nugget, rather than a functional seat. When searching online for similar images, Google humorously suggested it might be a “padded handrail.” The creator of the video, Ronni Lee, shared her confusion in the video caption, admitting she should have asked for help but decided to stand instead to avoid discomfort.
This chair is not an isolated incident in restaurant seating design. Across various dining establishments, chairs that are more often uncomfortable than inviting thrive, from metal chairs at trendy taco spots to backless stools that scrape uncomfortably across floors. The French chair, with its odd appearance, almost seems to embody some hidden knowledge about seating that eludes diners. It raises questions about whether similar designs were encountered during my own years in Paris—a thought that’s hard to shake off.
The TikTok video has quickly garnered 2.4 million likes in just a few days, and discussions about “how to use a leaning bar chair” have begun trending. Comments suggest that the design is intended for leaning rather than sitting, which some may find reasonable, yet it remains a frustrating experience for diners hoping for comfort.
With the current design choices, one can question why establishments opt for these almost-stool-like creations instead of traditional seating. While the café culture encourages quick visits and espresso shots, a functional stool would seem a more logical option than the awkward structure presented.
The phenomenon of leaning chairs isn’t limited to Parisian dining. Similar chairs have gained notoriety in fast-food outlets, as evidenced by several TikTok videos showcasing patrons struggling with their unconventional designs. In one clip, a man slides down a similar chair at a Kentucky Fried Chicken, while another shows a woman approaching it as if preparing for a gymnastics routine. Humorous comments highlight a growing consensus that these chairs discourage lingering, with users recalling similar experiences from Costco.
This trend raises important questions about design choices that may border on “hostile architecture,” where seating is deliberately uncomfortable. Such designs are commonplace in urban spaces, with examples found in public transport areas. The NYC Street Design Manual even includes references to leaning bars as an alternative for those who find regular seating too strenuous. However, these choices often contribute to discomfort for those experiencing homelessness, prompting discussions about inclusivity in public space design.
Ultimately, these chairs, with their strange allure and functional mysteries, will likely continue to provoke curiosity and frustration among diners.
Source
www.eater.com