While it is common for restaurant owners to connect with their customers, a restaurant owner in the US is taking it to a whole new level. Tim Harris gives out free hugs to every customer at the end of each meal.
The atmosphere(气氛) at his restaurant "Tim's Place" is so positive(积极的) that customers often call it the "World's friendliest restaurant".
"Tim's Hug" is in fact an item on the menu described as a "love" treat. Tim's hugs are doubly special because of everything he has achieved. The 26yearold is probably the only Down Syndrome Sufferer(唐氏综合症患者) in the US to own a restaurant, but he has several other things to be proud of—he's a skillful special Olympian, an excellent sailor, and an experienced fisherman. He was also chosen as Homecoming King and Student of the Year in high school!
When Tim expressed interest in opening a restaurant, Keith, a small businessman himself, supported him. Tim hired(雇佣) other people to manage the place and do the cooking, and he introduced the idea of free hugs. He realized that people want to feel at home at a restaurant. That is why he included "love" as an item on the menu. Customers can order the free hug from Tim, and even if they don't, he'll probably hug them anyway.
The restaurant has been around since 2010, and Tim has given out over 19,000 hugs in the past five years—he keeps count using a special Hug Counter. "I've been coming here once a week," said Michelle GarthJones, a regular customer. "I love local restaurants, and this special one has a story that stays with you."