February 8, 2013

Small but terrible

batibot chair We call this small and simple bent iron and wood chair a batibot chair. Batibot means small but strong, which is an apt description of the chair. I think they're charming, but they're not very comfortable, especially if you're big or tall. They used to be found in even the humblest homes and streetside eateries, but have mostly been replaced by plastic monobloc chairs (that are equally uncomfortable but far less charming). The chair design has been around for a very long time, but other than that, I don't know anything else about it. Do you have a chair similar in design in your country? What is it called? I know curiosity killed the cat, but I hope not this time.

12 comments:

LONDONLULU said...

I was convinced the title referred to the kitty, lol! I didn't realize how universal this design was - I've seen old men in parks playing chess for hours sitting in these chairs, I can barely stay in them 30 min:)

Stefan Jansson said...

Charming and not comfortable. That sounds a lot like the taverna chairs in the Greek archipelago. Nice design on this one.

Chattahoochee Valley Daily said...

That description is suitable for the kitty too...small but strong. Love the chair.

EG CameraGirl said...

I like the looks of this chair and I'm disappointed they are uncomfortable.

Oakland Daily Photo said...

Believe it or not, I think we would call this an ice cream parlor chair.

Photo Cache said...

we had them before too. i actually love them. i prefer them over the plastic ones.

btw, cute kitty.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

I don't know what it is called, but this is the type of chair one would expect to see in an old fashioned ice cream parlor.

Ebie said...

Hahaha, Hilda, did you see a smiley face of the seat? I remember this chair way back when...

P.S. My niece will be graduating from Ateneo Law School is March, hopefully. I see you sometimes post about the University,

Dina said...

Ow, it looks very painful.

Cezar and Léia said...

Maybe it's better to put a cushion in this chair! :)
The kitty is adorable!
Léia

Lowell said...

No, no, no. Cats are gods. It will survive. I've seen chairs like this here and they are NOT comfortable. Why build chairs that are uncomfortable. I don't get it.

Re your comment on Ocala: Like I told Jack, "I was there for a perm, silly!" :-)

Halcyon said...

I call these ice cream parlor chairs. That's where I've always seen the and what they remind me of. But yes, the are not comfy although that is sometimes the intention of the ice cream parlor. Then you will not stay as long, freeing up the chairs for other customers.