The “Forgive Barbecue” located in 798 Art Zone, Beijing, is a startup project for hearing-impaired people. Different from other places, this “silent” restaurant welcomes customers with a guide card reading “welcome, how many people?” with order cards and tablets displayed on each table.
Although staff members are unable to speak with customers, they understand customers’ requests through a simple facial expression, an action, or even a look. When the requests are complicated, the employees use writing tablets.
Customers feel good about this kind of communication; with many of them even leaving notes on the message board praising the staff members.
As one of the employees said, the restaurant is a bridge to connect hearing-impaired people with other people. Employees get a chance to learn about the society and have their own careers.
