Exercises

Quiet coffee

Photos courtesy of Bangkok Post

Whether it be a latte, frappuccino or an espresso, customers at this unique shop don�t have to say a word to order their favourite cup of coffee. Read the story from the Bangkok Post to find out why.

Customers at The Silence, the new coffee stand near Wat Chamao in downtown Nakhon Si Thammarat, order their drinks through hand gestures. No spoken words are needed.

This may seem weird to outsiders, but body language is the best way to communicate with the deaf staff at the The Silence.

Stall co-founder Tinnakorn Jaruchai, 42, is the former chairman of the provincial deaf-mute association. He and his friends opened the coffee stand after employers in the province refused to give them jobs because of their handicap.

A SURE SIGN

Aside from their drinks, The Silence has found a unique selling point that has attracted lots of local coffee lovers.

The customers efforts to order have been a great source of laughter for many. To order a glass of cold milk, some customers point to their nipples and mime shivering in the cold. To order hot drinks, people simply make gestures about the hot weather.

AN HONEST LIVING

Tinnakorn used to work as a volunteer for an emergency rescue organisation called the Tai Tek Siang Tueng Foundation.

He tried applying for jobs in Nakhon Si Thammarat, but nobody would give him work because of the problems that he would have communicating with co-workers and customers.

With a family to support, Tinnakorn discussed ideas with other deaf people before deciding to open The Silence with his friend, 32-year-old Adisak Anupan. They now have around 20 staff members working for them.

�Our regular customers are deaf people,� Tinnakorn said in sign language. �But we also attract lots of other customers who sympathise with us.�

Exercise

Read the story. Then, answer the following multiple-choice questions.

1. Why was Tinnakorn refused jobs?

a. He already had a job at the coffee shop.
b. He had problems with communicating.
c. He didn�t have a family to support.

2. What gestures do customers use to order a glass of cold milk?

a. Point to their nipples and shiver.
b. Jump up and down.
c. Laugh.

3. Most of The Silence�s regular customers are:

a. volunteers for the Tai Tek Siang Tueng Foundation.
b. deaf.
c. public servants.

	gesture (n): a movement that you make with your hands or body to show a particular meaning deaf-mute (n): a person who is unable to hear or speak handicap (n): a permanent physical or mental condition that makes it difficult or impossible to use a particular part of your body or mind nipple (n): either of the two small round dark parts on a person�s chest shiver (v): to shake slightly because you are cold, frightened, excited, etc. sympathise (v): to show that you understand and feel sorry about somebody�s problems