Two years ago, a blind person, Jorge Spielmann started the Blind Cow in the city of Zurich, Switzerland. Almost all the people who worked there, as the restaurant was named, were also blind. Now, not just the blind, but even people who can see with their eyes gather together in groups to this restaurant for the special experience it provides, apart from the good food it offers. The restaurant is so popular that all the tables are always booked ahead of time.
The idea came to Spielmann while he was working as a bartender (酒保) in 1998 at a public exhibit, where people with normal sight walked through completely dark passages by feeling with hands together along with blind people. Then Spielmann changed an unused house into a 60-seat restaurant.
The Blind Cow enables customers who can see to "see" a different world through the eyes of people with no sight. Besides, as no one can see what the others are doing, something like these is common: People put fingers into the meat, the wrong forks are used and people even wipe their mouths on their sleeves (袖子) instead of napkins!
Before entering the dining area, the customers are told the rules of the restaurant: no walking around, no smoking and no flashlights. When arriving, the customers are led in by a waitress with bells tied to her toes. Forming a chain led by the waitress, with hands placed on each other's shoulders, the customers walk inside. When the customers want something, they shout to catch the attention of the waitresses.
The bells on the waitresses' toes help prevent them from bumping (撞) into each other while carrying dishes. Though they admit to some unavoidable bumps, the workers at the Blind Cow say that they don't have more broken things than any other restaurant. Customers to the restaurant are extra careful not to knock things over.
