Most of us are familiar with the "Brit abroad" ñ struggling to communicate with one of his European counterparts. If he doesn't get his message across the first time, then nine times out of 10 he will repeat but in a louder, slower voice, "one beer please!"

Before Bushel Box is labelled sexist, this of course applies to women and their G&Ts too.

One new Parisian bistro could see the Brits end up rather hungry and thirsty if they adopt this approach. Café Signes may look like any other restaurant but all the waiters are deaf and the only ways to order are sign language and writing.

The café was opened by the Entraide Universitaire association as part of an attempt to bring deaf people into the community with a grant of E54,881 from the Paris regional council. Not only has it given deaf people an opening in the Parisian social scene, but customers can enter the world of no noise.

Associate Martine Lejeau Perry said: "We put up a notice at the door explaining what this café is, but we wanted to make the atmosphere as ordinary as possible. However, we do get quite a lot of people come in without realising. They do tend to shout quite a lot at first."