In 1853, an English colonialist working in India voiced his complaints about the local workmen. He was particularly irritated and offended that blacksmiths, carpenters, and masons squatted to work…He was more explicit than many about why he found the posture inferior: it suggested “indolence and inefficiency…especially irritating to an Englishman, ” but even more so to one who hires and pays such workmen.

The colonialist tried to force these men to work his way, but they ignored him; so he ordered the anvils on which they worked to be bolted to surfaces at table height. The next day, he was pleased to see them working off the floor. But not for long. He returned the following day to find the men squatting on top of stools in order to reach the anvils”

— The Chair: Rethinking Culture, Body, and Design by Galen Cranz