On my first day working at the café, the owner hands me an apron and says, "Just use your judgment for now." The international student thinks to themselves, 'Aren't they going to explain anything?' ## In the Midst of the Busy Sounds The order bell rings, the espresso machine hisses, and the clinking of cups keeps going. In places like this, even the owner finds it hard to stop for a moment. Korean shops often have few staff and get swamped with customers, so there's often no time to teach at length. That's why this phrase comes up. ## Nunchi means "take a look around" Nunchi is the ability to read the atmosphere. When the owner wipes a table with a dishcloth, you wipe along beside them. If the trash can is full, empty it first. In Korea, people who take the initiative before being told are praised as having "iltmeori" (a good sense for work). Korean people grow up hearing the phrase "You should just know without being told" from an early age. So they often speak without realizing they're leaving out explanations. It's not that they're unkind; it's just a habit. ## Here's how to ask when you don't know Being told to use your judgment doesn't mean you can't ask questions. You just need to avoid the busy moments. When the customers have cleared out, show them what you've been working on and ask, "Is this the right way to do it?" and check. They like it much better when you offer a suggestion, like "Should I wipe the cups?", than when you ask "What should I do?" Carrying a small notepad around and writing things down also makes you look diligent.