The following is written from the perspective of someone working full-time at a company-operated store. Please refrain from criticizing if this does not suit you; this is an objective account.

1. When you have a good store manager, they will genuinely guide you and may occasionally speak up for you. They are willing to take responsibility for staff shortages, allowing you to work with peace of mind.

2. The work environment is pleasant, and colleagues get along well (subjective impression).

3. You learn all kinds of basic survival skills (washing vegetables, preparing ingredients), making food, preparing drinks, chatting with customers, handling payments, coffee-related skills, checking inventory, placing orders, receiving stock, and closing out the daily accounts. (In short, you have to know how to do everything.)

4. Four fixed days off per month (at most two can be holidays).

5. There are standard SOPs that you have to memorize!

6. Colleagues help one another.

7. One meal and one drink (depending on your working hours).

8. When it is quiet, it is really quiet; when it is busy, it is really busy.

The following points are based on comparisons with my past experience in the fast-food industry:

1. It is stated that there are eight days off per month, but you may not necessarily get all eight (because of staff shortages).

2. If there is no explicit notice that support is needed, you may suddenly be scheduled for a support shift. Once the shift is posted, it is treated as an order, and you cannot refuse.

3. Overtime every month—an overwhelming amount of it! (Depending on the position.) Because of staff shortages, you can only be forced to work overtime, from opening until closing. (Regular customers will be able to tell.)

4. There are many customers but not enough staff. Customers do not understand, employees become emotionally exhausted, attitudes worsen, and complaints are inevitable. (This is a word of preparation for anyone considering coming here.)

5. Although there are standard SOPs, each person’s teaching methods and standards differ because of individual habits. (It is exhausting.)

6. The beginner’s adjustment period is “intense.” Because there are not enough staff, they will hope that you can learn quickly and work independently, but since everyone is different, a lot depends on your ability to adapt.

7. You need to know how to do many things; one person is used as many, and there are no fixed positions.

In fact, the disadvantages are too numerous to list. Everything above is based on my personal perspective, along with reactions I have observed from customers. If you want to come here to learn, you can, but you need to be “mentally prepared.” The work is hard, and customers can leave you very confused; likewise, they may not understand you. Still, here you can truly experience the spirit of “teamwork”: helping and coordinating with one another. Being able to work in unity with a group of people may be one of the experiences that is hardest to find in today’s society.