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1000&1 Signes In Paris - A Restaurant That Is Run By Deaf Staff

There is a restaurant that is run by deaf staff, and that is 1000&1 Signes in Paris. Imagine entering a well-known restaurant in a trendy area. A friendly host approaches you and gestures to direct you to your table while remaining silent.

Author:Scarlet Sunset
Reviewer:Professor Jhiz
Aug 25, 2022
9K Shares
281.6K Views
There is a restaurant that is run by deaf staff, and that is 1000&1 Signes in Paris.
Imagine entering a well-known restaurant in a trendy area.
A friendly host approaches you and gestures to direct you to your table while remaining silent.
Before reading the menu's instruction that the entire restaurant staff is deaf and that you must place your order without speaking, you are perplexed.
Deaf-owned restaurants have popped up all around the world in the last ten years, providing anything from pizza and crêpes to vegan fast food and Moroccan couscous.
Even though most of these restaurants are separate businesses, they all show that the community is becoming more willing to support and go to deaf-owned businesses just like 1000&1 Signes, a restaurant that is run by deaf staff.
Dish made in 1000&1 Signes restaurant
Dish made in 1000&1 Signes restaurant

1000&1 Signes - One Of The Best Restaurants In Paris

The bright red, blue, and yellow hands outside of the Parisian eatery 1000&1 Signes give a tempting hint as to what is inside.
Everything is clear as soon as you walk into the modern space and are greeted by the owner with a warm smile and a big handshake.
Sid Nouar has deafness. The first deaf person to start a restaurant in France was Sid Nouar, who utilizes sign language to interact with his staff and is also deaf.
In Europe, more than 50% of deaf people are unemployed.
Because of this, Nouar was determined to hire deaf employees when he launched his restaurant, 1000&1 Signes, in Paris.
At first, a queue snaked out the door every day because deaf Parisians couldn't believe that his little room was indeed home to a deaf-owned restaurant.
Even though Nouar knew that 70% of deaf people around the world were unemployed, he tried to hire an entirely deaf staff but couldn't find any qualified deaf waiters.
He, therefore, worked alone, serving lunch and dinner six days a week till he became exhausted, while his Moroccan mother did most of the cooking.
After taking some time to recover, he opened a larger site in 2018 with an all-deaf workforce.
Warqa, which are stuffed pastry bricks, and traditional Moroccan couscous bowlswith meat or vegetarian options are on the menu.
He offers strong mint tea and crescent-shaped almond biscuits for dessert.
His clientele is now predominately heard thanks to his great reviews.
While this is happening, deaf Parisians still enjoy ordering in LSF, or Langue De Signes Français.
Nouar tries to teach hearing people about french sign language (also called LSF) and the different ways deaf people communicate by creating a space where deaf and hearing people can interact.
However, the uniqueness of this little place wouldn't matter if the meal was subpar in a city as picky about its cuisine as Paris. Not to worry.
The food at 1000&1 Signes, which is based on recipes from Nouar's Moroccan mother, is remarkable.
Owner of 1000&1 Signes taking order from a customer
Owner of 1000&1 Signes taking order from a customer
There is a chocolate cake in the shape of a fez, as well as tasty lentil soup and soft tagines.
Despite the fact that each nation has its own distinctive sign language, deaf people around the world share many similar experiences, particularly the frustration of predominantly speaking a language that is not understood by the majority.
But instead of focusing on what they can't do, many deaf people are proud of their many sign languages and the arts, sports, folklore, morals, and history that make up what is called "deaf culture."
The "deaf ecosystem" is receiving the benefits of that same pride.
There is a growing trend among members of the globaldeaf community to support deaf-owned companies and deaf-related professions whenever possible.
Traveling great distances to support these deaf entrepreneurs and enterprises is something that collectivist deaf society takes great pride in, according to Holcomb.
Trips can be organized to include stops at deaf-owned eateries as well as famous sites in cities like Paris or Tokyo.
A restaurant with a completely deaf crew benefits from clear and simple sign language communication between the chefs, waiter staff, and dishwashers.
Diners who are deaf particularly love this arrangement.
Lastly, they can ask the waitress for a wine recommendation, ask about a food allergy, or ask for more information about the day's specials.
Everything will be fully obvious in sign language.
Deaf-run restaurants give hearing customers, who often make up 80% of their customers, a unique way to get in.
Many of these restaurants' menus warn customers that shouting won't get their deaf servers' attention.
Instead, waving your arms is advised on the menu at Toulouse, France's tiny tapas restaurant, L'oreille Cassée (which translates to "broken ear").
You can order one of their specialties, such as Accras De Morue, after you have the waiter's attention (salted cod fritters).
Some restaurants, like 1000&1 Signes, display illustrative images of their food on their menus or walls.
Orders can also occasionally be texted or written down.
Other eateries with deaf staff but not deaf owners can be found all over the world.
Some may have been started by disability advocacy organizations, where hearing business owners recruit deaf employees to give them access to occupations that might otherwise be difficult to get.
Conversely, deaf-owned businesses are the consequence of tenacious businesspeople willing to prove that they can do great things when given the chance.
Many of these restaurants go out of their way to teach their hearing customers about deaf culture and sign language.
Christophe Taveirne, owner of Soepbar Sordo in Ghent, Belgium, has that as one of his objectives.
I want hearing people to know deaf culture, so the seeming anxiety some have disappears and turns into a respectful curiosity,
According to his understanding, Taveirne's cozy soup café is the first deaf-owned restaurant in Belgium, and it first opened its doors in 2016.
He claims that the interaction between his one deaf employee and hearing clients "shows hearing clients how sign language communication works, how quick it is."
Owner of 1000&1 Signes restaurant pouring tea
Owner of 1000&1 Signes restaurant pouring tea

Customer's Reviews About 1000&1 Signes

The Moroccan food here is probably the best I have ever had; it is obviously made with skill and care.
Visited twice and loved the lentil soup, lamb, prune and almond tagine.
The kefta was delicately seasoned with good quality beef.
Another day, the lunch special was sardines, stuffed with a spice and garlic mix. Divine!
Get the dessert plate to taste several different sweets (my favorite was a green pistachio pastry) all served with mint tea.
Cute little place in nice neighborhood.Just as important as the food is the warm welcome and hospitality from the owner Sid.
You will notice that Sid and the rest of his staff are all Deaf.
(In fact, Sid is the first Deaf person to run a restaurant in France).
His smile will immediately put you at ease and he is open to communicating in any number of ways.
You can write on a small white board provided on each table, point to your selection on the menu (which is also illustrated with finger-spelled letters to indicate your choice).
If you know any sign language use it.
(I'm from the US and happen to know ASL (American Sign Language) while Sid and his crew use LSF (Langue de Signes Française).
No matter if you don't sign, try a gesture to show your wish or appreciation.
You will enjoy the unique atmosphere and fantastic food.
This is what Annum13 felt about this.
She shared her review on the Tripadvisor website.
This will be helpful if you want to visit this restaurant.

A Deaf-Owned Restaurant Nearly Closed Due To Covid-19 Restrictions

People Also Ask

What Is So Special About 1000&1 Signes Restaurant?

The Moroccan café 1000 & 1 Signes is located on the Rue de Charonne in Paris, France, and the thing that makes it special is that it is deaf-based. Even the owner is deaf.

Which Countries Have Deaf-Based Restaurants?

In Zagreb, Croatia; Cologne, Germany; London, United Kingdom; Delhi, India; Cape Town, South Africa; Bangkok, Thailand; and Bogotá, Colombia, more than a dozen deaf-based restaurants have been launched since 2016.

Does Starbucks Have A Deaf-Based Outlet?

Starbucks opened its first café for deaf people in Malaysia. A second location is being thought about for the United States.

Conclusion

A visit to 1000 &1 Signes, a restaurant that is run by deaf staff, is a whole different experience, and you should definitely visit this place.
Its owner conveys that everyone is welcome with just a few gestures.
The waiters and cooks at the restaurant are all deaf, and customers place their orders by pointing, signing, or writing their choices on a whiteboard.
Yes, you can dine here, but you can also learn here.
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Scarlet Sunset

Scarlet Sunset

Author
Scarlet Sunset is a captivating and confident transgender individual who radiates sensuality and embraces her unique beauty. With a radiant smile and a touch of red lipstick, she captivates hearts by the poolside as the sun dips below the horizon, casting a warm glow on her unforgettable presence. Despite societal norms and expectations, Scarlet celebrates her body, proudly defying conventional standards of beauty. Her curves tell a story of self-acceptance and empowerment, challenging stereotypes and inspiring others to embrace their own bodies without reservation.
Professor Jhiz

Professor Jhiz

Reviewer
Professor Jhiz brings fun to teaching anatomy. Born in China, she shares her fascination for how the body works. Students say her lectures are lively with jokes and stories. She draws cartoon diagrams that highlight structures creatively. Professor seeks to inspire curiosity and joy in anatomy. She treats each class like a show using props and costumes. When not teaching, Jhiz enjoys karaoke and novelty socks. Her goal is passing on a spirit of wonder to students.
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