The new phenomenon, which is fast spreading, has brought happiness to citizens who are keen to see Saudi youths shouldering responsibility and beginning work at an early age.
Abdul Aziz Al-Ghamdi, a young Saudi who joined one of these coffee shops, said he did not want to depend on his father for his daily expenses, so he approached one of the coffee shop companies and asked to be employed.
“The company welcomed me warmly and trained me on methods of making various types of coffee,” he told Arab News.
He said he was among a group of nine young Saudis who were trained for three months on the preparation of coffee. “Among us was a medicine student who could not continue his studies for financial reasons,” he said.
Al-Ghamdi said the training focused on the preparation of all kinds of American, Italian and French coffee from the best coffee beans.
“After the training, the company deployed us among its shops scattered all over the city,” he said.
Al-Ghamdi said he was getting a good salary that enabled him to depend on himself and become financially independent. “My income is enough to meet my daily life demands, especially as I am single. I enjoy making coffee and become very happy when a customer expresses his satisfaction over my work,” he said.
He said many customers come to the coffee shop purposefully to have coffee from his hands.
“This makes me happy because it proves that I am doing my work sincerely,” he said.
Al-Ghamdi said many young Saudis joined the company before and after him. “I am happy to see more Saudis doing this honest work,” he said.
Saleh Abdullah, another young Saudi who works at a coffee shop, said he was extremely happy about his job, which offers him a monthly salary of SR2,600. “This is enough to provide me with all my requirements instead of sitting idle at home and being a burden on my parents,” he said.
He called on young men to look for such jobs instead of waiting for the government to employ them.
“They may pass the eligibleage waiting for government jobs,” he added. A number of Saudi customers expressed happiness to see young Saudis working in coffee shops.
“I feel happy that my coffee is served by a young Saudi,” said customer Nafie Al-Otaibi.
He said he was keen to pass by a kiosk in which young Saudi men serve coffee.
“This is a joyful scene for me. I wish all our young men would follow suit,” he added.
