Hi, I am just seeing this review here on Happy Cow, so I will copy my reply from Google, for the sake of others who may wish to see my reply. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I’m truly sorry that your visit felt uncomfortable. That said, I’d like to clarify a few things. The interaction you overheard was a brief and necessary correction between myself and our manager, who has worked closely with me, every day, for over 11 years. We take holidays together, in the past we were roomates, she is my equal, not a subservient under an oppressor. She also calls me out and corrects me when I am wrong. It was not about language, nor was it racially motivated. It was about a serious thing that happened earlier. She is not Thai, and I absolutely support our staff using Thai, Shan, Burmese, and English with customers depending on the context to avoid misunderstandings. This is something we actively encourage and value. Since Thai is not her language, it wouldn't make sense to force her to speak it all of the time either. I also speak fluent Thai and communicate with both staff and customers in multiple languages. The issue at hand had already been discussed in private and I was still quite upset, so yes, you could sense my mood in my curt replies to her. But obviously, from your remarks, you didn't hear or understand at all what we were talking about. To characterize a few minute conversation as abusive or oppressive is both inaccurate and unfair—not just to me, but to the team we’ve built over the last 16 years. Many of our staff members have stayed with us for over a decade, not because they are under pressure, but because they feel respected, empowered, and well-supported. If our workplace were as toxic as you described, that simply wouldn’t be the case, especially in a city where you can find a job in a cafe within a stones throw. You mention that many, many customers have raised similar concerns. That is factually untrue. Out of close to 1,000 reviews here over 16 years, there are only three that refer to a moment where I corrected a staff member in front of customers. In each case, I’ve acknowledged the need for more discretion and have taken that feedback seriously. But to claim that numerous people have been “warning the public” is an exaggeration that doesn’t reflect reality. We do review video footage when issues are raised-to seek clarity, make improvements, and take accountability when we are in the wrong. That includes myself.