Regardless of whether it's a successful company or not, is that a fun work environment? These are great questions to tease out what level of autonomy to expect also IMO. For me autonomy and happiness are synonymous.
> For instance, instead of going to Bangkok, for cuisine, the beach, nightlife and Buddhist temples, why not order something that you normally don't get at a Thai takeout menu and eat it at a place you normally wouldn't eat at