A little healthy skepticism when it comes to advertising and marketing is always a good thing.
With corporations constantly striving to convince you that they are the most honest, environmentally caring and socially responsible organizations out there (making a profit is just a nice little bonus for us, really!), the ability to separate fact from fiction ensures that your hard-earned money goes to the right places.
Image credits: chillisauceabc
However, as this story shows, one must be careful not to overstep the mark with surly cynicism and become just a grumpy, smug conspiracist.
A Burger King outlet in Bali, Indonesia, recently made an importantly inclusive move for differently skilled people by hiring deaf employees to join their team of cashiers and order takers.
Burger King management installed several specially-modified service counters at the restaurant, displaying signs that advise that their counter staff is deaf. Customers are asked to point to a lighted signboard to select the items they wish to order.
Pretty simple, right? The move gives disadvantaged people – who might be otherwise overlooked in the labor market – a chance to earn a dignified living as part of a great team. It’s a win-win for all involved!
Burger King’s reply to the cynical tweet was gold.
Image credits: BurgerKing_ID
The exchange opened up an interesting discussion about corporate responsibility and the rights of disadvantaged people to find gainful employment. Needless to say, most people supported Burger King’s move here.
Image credits: tbputera
Image credits: Yakyaksoak
Image credits: ChelseyRandle_
Image credits: GAVINbottom
Image credits: ancamade
Image credits: galihwcks
Image credits: eljewe_
Image credits: asriel1606
The island of Bali, now best known as a tourist paradise, actually has its own unique sign language called ‘Kata kolok,’ or ‘the talk of the deaf.’
This mode of communication is fully native to the island, independent of international or Indonesian sign language, and has been the primary language of the northern Bali village of Bengkala for generations, where a high percentage of residents are deaf.
In Balinese, Bengkala is sometimes called “Desa Kolok”— the deaf village.
Image credits: ThePrettySkies
Bengkala has had a higher than normal deaf-since-birth population for a long time, and today 42 of Bengkala’s almost-3,000 villagers have been deaf since birth.
The high percentage of deafness is caused by a geographically-centric recessive gene, called DFNB3, which has been present in the village for over seven generations. For years, villagers believed the deafness was the result of a curse.
Image credits: banRie_Me
Villagers in Bengkala have since adapted to a deaf lifestyle, instead of ostracizing their deaf neighbors.
People speak with their hands, teaching their children kata kolok as a second or third language, and it is this open acceptance and efforts toward equality that makes the Balinese people known worldwide for their empathy and welcoming nature.
Image credits: AldyGPrayoga
You can see why Burger King Indonesia was keen to ensure that deaf people got the same opportunities as everyone else!
Image credits: selphieusagi
Image credits: febriandirga
The OP decided to respond to the Twitter storm he had caused
Image credits: chillisauceabc
Image credits: kumogyun
Image credits: chillisauceabc
The author did not choose the title of this article
This is amazing that they're giving everyone an equal opportunity! The only problem might be if I don't know sign language and need to place a special order (I'm super picky lol) but other than that good for them!
You can always write it down and show it to them.
Load More Replies...Ok but let's not accidentally imply, as you have done, that you can't employ disabled people without tweeting about it
They are setting a great example. Tweeting about it shows the world that initiatives like these are possible.
Load More Replies...as someone who works in a major international advertising agency I can guarantee you, that Burger King did not come up with it on their own. That is 99% some award-targeted idea created by their advertising agency. That does not mean, that it loses it's power or is considered less valuable to the people it is supposed to help. I love to create ideas like that, because it gives you the possibility to not just say" hey, buy the stuff that I want you to buy" but actually change some lifes. So yes...this is very likely just a marketing idea, but it helped people in the end and created awareness.
Contrary to what many believe, marketing is not always about deceit. So if marketing yourself as a company that cares while actually doing so, then that's fine by me.
Load More Replies...This is great on so many levels! :) A giant company doing something significant for inclusivity, getting praised for it plus the addition of someone who maybe was a little harsh with their judgment at first but changed their mind, acknowledged their mistake and apologized! So much to learn from here.
No. They do things for money too. But having a twitter account is literally always for public relations because that’s the entire point of twitter. None of this negates that BK is giving hearing impaired people jobs.
Load More Replies...If your only other option was "no job", then you'll take it.
Load More Replies...Good for them! We've been doing this in Israel for years, both in service industries like coffee shop chains and in the armed forces.
there is this pastry shop that i used to eat at...it is called embrace cafe...it is run by a manager that is normal and the staff are deaf...it is really sweet when those guys serve you with your favorite drinks and food...
No one goes into Battle for the Purple Heart. But when they rise up and do the job in a way that they earn the respect and rewards of that Purple Heart, stand up and take Notice. In my eyes Burger King deserves the Purple Heart . They'll now have my Business!!!
Yes but bk proved this guy's point...this isnt about employment for deaf people. Its about pr and retweets. The deaf employees werent cooks or help in the back. They were put on counter positions so the customers would have to interacts with them by pointing to pics or learning basic sign language. Im not against any deaf worker, but this seems like a pr feel good stunt by a huge corporation. The same corp that is paying its employees maybe 5 bucks an hour in that part of the world..soooo yeah
Shout out to my deaf delivery guy from Panera. Only one who ever reads my delivery instructions and shows up at the right unit at my hospital.
Great, they saw a specific place with a problem and reached out to help. We see many people with high functioning disabilities around here. They are unfailingly polite, hard working, and friendly. Never a problem!
You should never treat a person with a disability like they are less then a human without a disability.
We have been doing this in my country even before equal rights became a 'trend' in the Philippines. Our Luneta Park has employed deaf people since the 70's. I remember this because when I was a kid my family and I would go to the park every weekend and I've always liked ordering to the 'quiet' people. I didn't know they were deaf and no one minded ordering from them. It wasn't a big deal at all. We always get good, accurate service with a smile. It's a must in our news broadcasts to have sign language interpreters. We want everyone informed and involved. This has been a common thing in my country and I'm surprised how 'novel' it all seemed for some.
It is also in Europe. The library nearer to home is managed by a deaf woman at least since I moved here, 14 years ago.
Load More Replies...I think that this is a good thing. The employees have a job and the customers learn a little sign language. Win- win.
The sign shows that they speak ASL in Indonesia. (Likely an outgrowth of the Peace Corps activities there back in the 60s.) Few people realize that there are many different SLs from different countries. For example, in ASL the sign for bread looks like you're slicing bread, in French SL it looks like you're breaking off the end of a baguette.
A little bit off topic, but burger king and hungry jacks have the exact same uniform. How?
Mod Pizza (in the USA and the UK) goes one step further. In addition to hiring some differently skilled people, they hire some ex-cons. In fact, some of the ex-cons go on to management positions at Mod! It would be great if more companies, of all sizes, looked at a person's potential.
So happy that companies are doing this so that everyone can have a job even if they are special people. Here in my country it's also a thing but not often since special people are still hesitant to try to apply for job in fear of rejections.
I wish that everyone was taught sign language at school. Its a good skill to have and you will able able to communicate with everyone.
From the perspective of another person who is "special": there are nuances to this. Is it a good thing? It MIGHT be... Are the employees happy and treated well, when no one is looking? Are they coached to move up in the company or find other better paying companies? I don't completely blame anyone for being cynical... I have met a few people in politics who say they "help" people like me... and they're nice until the public stops watching. Then they turn blind eyes to people who work under them that steal from you and verbally abuse you.
people trying to "look good" sure as hell WILL use you because you're "special". You at first are so grateful that someone cares, especially someone who might have the power to do something... then you realize that they don't know *s**t* about your disability nor do they care. You're just that weak, pitiful disabled person in their eyes that everyone feels sorry for. Do not pity us, and do not underestimate us. We can be strong and powerful.
Load More Replies...I ran a McD's & I had a customer who was deaf. He would write his order on paper. Many of my cashiers would get annoyed by this. After a time or 2, I would personally handle his order. I see him at times now in public since I left the business & he is always happy to see me.
Those employees should've been slapped upside the head.
Load More Replies...That’d be nice to do here in the states. Hopefully BK pays a living wage. Now they have vegan burgers so it’s a good time for anyone to eat some junk food from BK.
A living wage is relative. Yes min wage should get you a roof over your head, food in your belly, a basic mobile phone and a bus pass, but that's about it. None of this "I got kids" s**t. It's not the company that got you preggers, and you don't "deserve" skilled labour wages for doing something a kiosk could do. I used to work for min wage and I shared a 1br apartment. I slept in the living room. I wasn't bitter about it though because I worked a minimum wage job FFS, haha.
Load More Replies...A company with a worth over 7 billion US$ doing something out of generosity and to help people? Yeah, sure.
What does their worth have to do with them doing good? I literally don't understand the connection.
Load More Replies...Only thing I’m worried is will be people be shamed for asking someone else to serve them? My brother has quite complicated food issues that I wouldn’t be comfortable ordering from someone who I couldn’t effectively communicate. Luckily for him his fairly tolerant for small amounts of allergens so the kitchen doesn’t have to super careful and we can go to wide variety of restaurants but he still needs make sure that his food doesn’t contain some very common ingredients. So semi often we have ask make sure that what we can order for is actually free of stuff that can make him sick.
I’m sure there’s a way to explain your allergies to the deaf person. Or just skip that particular BK.
Load More Replies...When I was in elementary school, the lunch ticket taker was a deaf man. Every single kid in line would sign 'hi' to him and he would respond to every single kid smiling happily. He was so glad to be there and we were all glad to have him there as well.
I think this is awesome. And I love that on the sign they put simple things like please and thank you.
I think it is both and rightfully so, unfortunately the complaining individual in question has no empathy.
In order for any company to show that they are an EOE company with support for the deaf to be able to work, the company would need to advertise it. And, if they do, like anything else, should they not do it proudly? If this sounds like a marketing gimmick, well, maybe it could be a little. But it seems to me that they are trying to get the best people they can get for the job, regardless of handicap.
People are just cynical a******s. If a corporation does it, it MUST be evil. If a mom and pop shop did the same thing ALL of these commenters would be talking about how their faith in humanity has been restored.
Load More Replies...Well, as a retired Interpreter for the Deaf, what I see is the Burger King sign outside has bk in sign language letters....and the menu both especially made for their one employee ( unless there is more than one) That sign would be very expensive...so if the deaf person leaves, do they take the sign down or will they train all new employees to sign or is there alot of deaf people in Bali?
Read the article, Ruth. It says that area has a specific genetic defect that's more common there than other areas and it's responsible for more than the average number of deaf people being born.
Load More Replies...Nommater if it is a marketing trick or not, the outcome is positive. People with health issues will feel and be productive. This is good for both themselves and society. Same principle with wealthy people who do an actual, but actual, good deed in order to show off. let them show off and do as many good deeds as possible.
This is amazing that they're giving everyone an equal opportunity! The only problem might be if I don't know sign language and need to place a special order (I'm super picky lol) but other than that good for them!
You can always write it down and show it to them.
Load More Replies...Ok but let's not accidentally imply, as you have done, that you can't employ disabled people without tweeting about it
They are setting a great example. Tweeting about it shows the world that initiatives like these are possible.
Load More Replies...as someone who works in a major international advertising agency I can guarantee you, that Burger King did not come up with it on their own. That is 99% some award-targeted idea created by their advertising agency. That does not mean, that it loses it's power or is considered less valuable to the people it is supposed to help. I love to create ideas like that, because it gives you the possibility to not just say" hey, buy the stuff that I want you to buy" but actually change some lifes. So yes...this is very likely just a marketing idea, but it helped people in the end and created awareness.
Contrary to what many believe, marketing is not always about deceit. So if marketing yourself as a company that cares while actually doing so, then that's fine by me.
Load More Replies...This is great on so many levels! :) A giant company doing something significant for inclusivity, getting praised for it plus the addition of someone who maybe was a little harsh with their judgment at first but changed their mind, acknowledged their mistake and apologized! So much to learn from here.
No. They do things for money too. But having a twitter account is literally always for public relations because that’s the entire point of twitter. None of this negates that BK is giving hearing impaired people jobs.
Load More Replies...If your only other option was "no job", then you'll take it.
Load More Replies...Good for them! We've been doing this in Israel for years, both in service industries like coffee shop chains and in the armed forces.
there is this pastry shop that i used to eat at...it is called embrace cafe...it is run by a manager that is normal and the staff are deaf...it is really sweet when those guys serve you with your favorite drinks and food...
No one goes into Battle for the Purple Heart. But when they rise up and do the job in a way that they earn the respect and rewards of that Purple Heart, stand up and take Notice. In my eyes Burger King deserves the Purple Heart . They'll now have my Business!!!
Yes but bk proved this guy's point...this isnt about employment for deaf people. Its about pr and retweets. The deaf employees werent cooks or help in the back. They were put on counter positions so the customers would have to interacts with them by pointing to pics or learning basic sign language. Im not against any deaf worker, but this seems like a pr feel good stunt by a huge corporation. The same corp that is paying its employees maybe 5 bucks an hour in that part of the world..soooo yeah
Shout out to my deaf delivery guy from Panera. Only one who ever reads my delivery instructions and shows up at the right unit at my hospital.
Great, they saw a specific place with a problem and reached out to help. We see many people with high functioning disabilities around here. They are unfailingly polite, hard working, and friendly. Never a problem!
You should never treat a person with a disability like they are less then a human without a disability.
We have been doing this in my country even before equal rights became a 'trend' in the Philippines. Our Luneta Park has employed deaf people since the 70's. I remember this because when I was a kid my family and I would go to the park every weekend and I've always liked ordering to the 'quiet' people. I didn't know they were deaf and no one minded ordering from them. It wasn't a big deal at all. We always get good, accurate service with a smile. It's a must in our news broadcasts to have sign language interpreters. We want everyone informed and involved. This has been a common thing in my country and I'm surprised how 'novel' it all seemed for some.
It is also in Europe. The library nearer to home is managed by a deaf woman at least since I moved here, 14 years ago.
Load More Replies...I think that this is a good thing. The employees have a job and the customers learn a little sign language. Win- win.
The sign shows that they speak ASL in Indonesia. (Likely an outgrowth of the Peace Corps activities there back in the 60s.) Few people realize that there are many different SLs from different countries. For example, in ASL the sign for bread looks like you're slicing bread, in French SL it looks like you're breaking off the end of a baguette.
A little bit off topic, but burger king and hungry jacks have the exact same uniform. How?
Mod Pizza (in the USA and the UK) goes one step further. In addition to hiring some differently skilled people, they hire some ex-cons. In fact, some of the ex-cons go on to management positions at Mod! It would be great if more companies, of all sizes, looked at a person's potential.
So happy that companies are doing this so that everyone can have a job even if they are special people. Here in my country it's also a thing but not often since special people are still hesitant to try to apply for job in fear of rejections.
I wish that everyone was taught sign language at school. Its a good skill to have and you will able able to communicate with everyone.
From the perspective of another person who is "special": there are nuances to this. Is it a good thing? It MIGHT be... Are the employees happy and treated well, when no one is looking? Are they coached to move up in the company or find other better paying companies? I don't completely blame anyone for being cynical... I have met a few people in politics who say they "help" people like me... and they're nice until the public stops watching. Then they turn blind eyes to people who work under them that steal from you and verbally abuse you.
people trying to "look good" sure as hell WILL use you because you're "special". You at first are so grateful that someone cares, especially someone who might have the power to do something... then you realize that they don't know *s**t* about your disability nor do they care. You're just that weak, pitiful disabled person in their eyes that everyone feels sorry for. Do not pity us, and do not underestimate us. We can be strong and powerful.
Load More Replies...I ran a McD's & I had a customer who was deaf. He would write his order on paper. Many of my cashiers would get annoyed by this. After a time or 2, I would personally handle his order. I see him at times now in public since I left the business & he is always happy to see me.
Those employees should've been slapped upside the head.
Load More Replies...That’d be nice to do here in the states. Hopefully BK pays a living wage. Now they have vegan burgers so it’s a good time for anyone to eat some junk food from BK.
A living wage is relative. Yes min wage should get you a roof over your head, food in your belly, a basic mobile phone and a bus pass, but that's about it. None of this "I got kids" s**t. It's not the company that got you preggers, and you don't "deserve" skilled labour wages for doing something a kiosk could do. I used to work for min wage and I shared a 1br apartment. I slept in the living room. I wasn't bitter about it though because I worked a minimum wage job FFS, haha.
Load More Replies...A company with a worth over 7 billion US$ doing something out of generosity and to help people? Yeah, sure.
What does their worth have to do with them doing good? I literally don't understand the connection.
Load More Replies...Only thing I’m worried is will be people be shamed for asking someone else to serve them? My brother has quite complicated food issues that I wouldn’t be comfortable ordering from someone who I couldn’t effectively communicate. Luckily for him his fairly tolerant for small amounts of allergens so the kitchen doesn’t have to super careful and we can go to wide variety of restaurants but he still needs make sure that his food doesn’t contain some very common ingredients. So semi often we have ask make sure that what we can order for is actually free of stuff that can make him sick.
I’m sure there’s a way to explain your allergies to the deaf person. Or just skip that particular BK.
Load More Replies...When I was in elementary school, the lunch ticket taker was a deaf man. Every single kid in line would sign 'hi' to him and he would respond to every single kid smiling happily. He was so glad to be there and we were all glad to have him there as well.
I think this is awesome. And I love that on the sign they put simple things like please and thank you.
I think it is both and rightfully so, unfortunately the complaining individual in question has no empathy.
In order for any company to show that they are an EOE company with support for the deaf to be able to work, the company would need to advertise it. And, if they do, like anything else, should they not do it proudly? If this sounds like a marketing gimmick, well, maybe it could be a little. But it seems to me that they are trying to get the best people they can get for the job, regardless of handicap.
People are just cynical a******s. If a corporation does it, it MUST be evil. If a mom and pop shop did the same thing ALL of these commenters would be talking about how their faith in humanity has been restored.
Load More Replies...Well, as a retired Interpreter for the Deaf, what I see is the Burger King sign outside has bk in sign language letters....and the menu both especially made for their one employee ( unless there is more than one) That sign would be very expensive...so if the deaf person leaves, do they take the sign down or will they train all new employees to sign or is there alot of deaf people in Bali?
Read the article, Ruth. It says that area has a specific genetic defect that's more common there than other areas and it's responsible for more than the average number of deaf people being born.
Load More Replies...Nommater if it is a marketing trick or not, the outcome is positive. People with health issues will feel and be productive. This is good for both themselves and society. Same principle with wealthy people who do an actual, but actual, good deed in order to show off. let them show off and do as many good deeds as possible.
262
67