Imagine walking into a restaurant and being greeted by a waiter with a warm smile. As he approaches your table, you notice his name tag doesn’t bear a name but reads, “Maaf Saya OKU” (Sorry I am disabled).
It might seem unusual to see someone apologising for a disability, but for Che Mohd Fadil Che Abdul Rahman, this simple tag has become an essential part of his work life.
M’sian waiter wears “Maaf Saya OKU” tag to let customers know he’s disabled
Fadil, a 42-year-old waiter who has been working at a restaurant on Jalan Dusun Muda, Kelantan for the past eight years, has faced his share of challenges.
Mistakes in taking orders have often led to scoldings and mockery from customers. On one particularly tough day, things escalated to physical assault. That’s when Fadil decided to wear the “Maaf Saya OKU” tag, reported NST.
Since donning the tag, Fadil has noticed a significant change in customer behaviour.
“Many customers have been more understanding since I started wearing the tag, and there are fewer complaints about me these days,” he shares.
This small gesture has brought him a sense of relief and a more supportive working environment.
Before stepping into the restaurant industry, Fadil worked as a security guard at a logistics company.
When his contract expired, he sought new opportunities and found a home in the restaurant, where he initially started washing dishes. However, his determination to do more led him to request a position as a waiter.
His employer, Wan Marnizena Najib, acknowledges Fadil’s hardworking nature but notes that he struggles when overwhelmed.
“Initially, he was only tasked with washing dishes, but later he asked to be given the chance to be a waiter,” she says.
She explains that when the pressure builds, Fadil can become moody, leading to occasional mistakes in his work.
In another part of town, Muhammad Fahmi Amran, a 26-year-old waiter with a physical disability, is also making his mark.
Standing at just 110cm tall, Fahmi often catches the attention of customers who initially mistake him for a child.
As the youngest of five siblings, Fahmi had his doubts about finding employment as he grew older.
Yet, four years into his job at a restaurant in Kubang Kerian, he’s found that customers are curious about his age but incredibly supportive once they learn the truth.
“From my first day of work, customers often ask my age, and once I tell them, they are very encouraging,” Fahmi says.
Despite his unique challenges, Fahmi is proud of his work and the respect he receives.
“I’ve never felt ashamed, and I am treated equally at work.”
