WHAT IT IS?
‘Maison Saigon’ (Bangkok, Thailand) is a Vietnamese restaurant that came up with a simple and adorable idea with the only purpose to cheer guests up. For every table, one chair is dedicated to a panda doll. Alone or with your friends, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a meal with the company of a panda. Some people may think this is corny, but the panda dolls can help you feel more relaxed about what people think of you when you are having dinner alone. It also helps to keep a distance during the pandemic.
WHY IT´S COOL?
This idea lets people feel more persuaded to go out if they are alone. From a dinner alone with your phone to a candlelight dinner with the cutest animal in the world! But before taking your phone off, a selfie with the panda doll is a must.
WHY IT HAS FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
This simple concept can be readapted and elaborated as a potential strategy for the hospitality industry. The panda dolls could be replaced by robot pandas, for instance, equally cute and funny, but able to interact with guests. In this case, guests may even be entertained with stories and jokes. Of course, robots can’t be compared with real humans, and will never have their emotional intelligence, but these initiatives can help people to feel more comfortable while being alone in public spaces.
For further information about Maison Saigon:
7 comments
Hi Beatrice. Nice to see you again at Futurists Club! For me this blog is less about the panda, whatever cute they are. It is about the power of gently tiny gestures that make hospitality come alive. A touch point. Some people might consider the panda, apart for cute, also a bit ‘childish’, But, as I see how high this blog has been rated in the Cool Hospitalities Hunt we performed: Gen Z and young Millennials appreciate it. Thanks, Beatrice. Good luck on your internship! Carl
I think the example is not as cool for me, as it maybe be to others, don’t like stuffed animals. But like the way you are critical about the concept and coming up with ways to improve it in order to make it more appealing and have a greater future growth potential. Don’t know for sure, but there is something there, a trend or a mentality?
I like this in the sense that it helps more people be comfortable going out alone. Often people want to have some alone time but feel scared or awkward to do it so it’s a good start to help with this.
It is so cute! It makes you feel less awkward when dining alone
What I like about this is that it somewhat alleviates the awkwardness of going out alone, and shows that the restaurant doesn’t always expect you to come with company, and neither do you need it
people are often too scared of going out alone. Places like ‘Maison Saigon’ is what we all need. places that make us feel less awkward and more comfortable. This is a great concept.
This is freaky, in a good way. Are people brave enough to do this though? 😅