Note from Elementary Student Who Made the Owner Cry: "I'm Sorry... It's My First Time Using an Unmanned Cafe"

How to Use an Unmanned Cafe Unknown, Spilled Ice, Returned to Apologize
"I Will Definitely Clean Up Next Time" Left 1000 Won Bill and Note

Amid ongoing incidents related to unmanned stores, a heartwarming story has surfaced on an online community for self-employed business owners, where an elementary school student, unfamiliar with how to use an unmanned cafe, accidentally spilled ice and later returned to leave an apology note and money. On the 9th, Mr. A, who has been operating an unmanned cafe for three years, posted a message titled "A day moved by the good influence of an elementary school student" on an online community mainly frequented by self-employed individuals.

In the post, Mr. A wrote, "Yesterday, it was cold, so there were no customers and no sales. I sighed deeply while checking the CCTV," adding, "Upon checking, the store was a mess. We had posted notices and displayed usage manuals on the screen to make it easy to follow, but it seems Koreans don’t really look or read them carefully." The cafe floor in the CCTV footage was cluttered with ice spilled by someone. Reviewing the footage, Mr. A saw an elementary school student turning the ice machine lever without placing a cup, causing ice to spill onto the floor.

Amid ongoing incidents related to unmanned stores, a story posted on a self-employed online community has touched hearts. It tells of an elementary school student who, not knowing how to use an unmanned cafe, spilled ice but later returned to leave an apology note and money.
[Photo by Online Community]

He explained, "It was clear the student was flustered as it was their first time using the machine. Only then did they take out a cup and hesitated whether to just take the drink and leave or clean up, but eventually left without cleaning." He continued, "If I had called, I could have helped the student use the drink, but they hurriedly left. It was a disheartening moment," and added, "Anyway, the student paid for the drink, and I considered it as payment for my labor and cleaned up."

However, later that evening, when Mr. A went to tidy up the store, he found a crumpled piece of paper on a shelf along with a 1,000 won bill. It turned out that the elementary school student who spilled the ice had returned about an hour and a half later to leave them. The student even bowed toward the CCTV camera and gestured as if asking to read the note.

Later in the evening, Mr. A, who went to tidy up the store, found a crumpled piece of paper on the shelf along with a 1,000 won bill. It turned out that an elementary school student who had spilled ice earlier returned to the store about an hour and a half later and left it behind.
[Photo by Online Community]

The note left by the student read, "Owner, I am sorry. It was my first time at an unmanned cafe, and I accidentally spilled the ice. I will not do it again and will clean up next time. Although it is a small amount, I hope this helps. Wishing you long-lasting business and happiness. I apologize once again." Mr. A said, "Reading that note felt like a full compensation for the exhaustion I had felt over three years of running the business," and shared, "The student showed sincerity by including 1,000 won to express their apology. It’s the first time I’ve been moved by such a good influence from an elementary school student."

He added, "I will keep the 1,000 won safely in my wallet," and "Fortunately, there is a purchase record, so I have a way to contact the student. I have accepted the student’s feelings well, and now I want to give back. I don’t know how long I will continue operating, but I will allow this student to use the cafe for free until the day I close the business." Netizens responded to Mr. A’s story with comments such as, "Not only the child but also the parents did a great job educating," "The child’s actions brought tears to my eyes," and "This young friend is cooler than many adults."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.