Australian Cafe Charges Based on Customer Politeness

In a small coastal town in New South Wales, Australia, one coffee shop is doing something no other café has dared try: charging customers different prices for the exact same coffee, based entirely on how politely they order it. No, it’s not a prank or a social experiment gone viral—it’s a deliberate business decision by a husband-and-wife team aiming to revive common courtesy, one espresso at a time.

The answer is simple: say ‘coffee’ and it costs $5; add ‘please’ and it drops to $4.50; greet the barista with ‘good morning, please’ and you’ll only pay $4. That’s how much your morning flat white costs depending on your manners.

The Polite Pricing Policy in Action

This unusual pricing model is the brainchild of Kevin Chilver and Kylie Pickett, who run a café in the town of Gerroa, New South Wales. For the past two months, they’ve been charging customers varying prices for the same coffee based solely on the phrasing and politeness of their order. To make sure everyone knows the rules, they posted a sign outside their café clearly outlining their pricing structure.

How the Pricing Tiers Work

The tiered pricing is straightforward:

• Say only “coffee” → $5 AUD (about $3.10 USD)
• Say “please coffee” or “coffee, please” → $4.50 AUD (about $2.80 USD)
• Say “good morning, please coffee” or similar polite greeting → $4 AUD (about $2.40 USD)

The difference of up to $1 per coffee may not seem like much, but it sends a clear message about the value of polite communication.

Why Politeness Matters to This Cafe

Chilver explained that the policy was inspired by a similar sign spotted by one of their employees at another business. He said, “Basic manners have become less common, and we’re trying to bring them back. We work in service, but we also deserve respect.” The couple believes small gestures can encourage more respectful interactions in everyday life, starting with something as simple as ordering coffee.

Customer Response and Real-World Impact

Since implementing the policy, the café owners report that customers have become noticeably more courteous when placing orders. While some may initially find it unusual, the approach has sparked conversations—and, more importantly, a shift in behaviour. Rather than punishing rudeness, the café rewards politeness with a better price, creating a positive feedback loop that benefits both staff and patrons.

Frequently Asked Questions

What coffee shop in Australia charges based on politeness?

The café run by Kevin Chilver and Kylie Pickett in Gerroa, New South Wales, charges different prices for the same coffee based on how politely customers order. Saying only “coffee” costs $5, “please” brings it down to $4.50, and a full polite greeting like “good morning, please” reduces the price to $4.

How much does coffee cost if you say 'please'?

If you say “please” when ordering—such as “please coffee” or “coffee, please”—the price is $4.50 AUD (approximately $2.80 USD). That’s 50 cents cheaper than ordering with just “coffee.”

What’s the cheapest way to order coffee at this cafe?

The cheapest way to order is to say something polite like “good morning, please coffee” or “good morning, can I have a coffee, please?” This polite greeting brings the price down to $4 AUD (about $2.40 USD).

Does the type of coffee affect the pricing?

No, the pricing only changes based on the politeness of how the order is placed. The actual drink—whether it’s a flat white, espresso, or any other coffee—costs a different amount depending solely on whether you say “please,” “good morning,” or nothing extra.

Why did the cafe start this pricing policy?

The owners wanted to encourage more polite behaviour among customers. They were inspired by a similar sign seen at another business and decided to use their café as a way to promote basic manners and respect in daily interactions.

FrontStreet Coffee Picks for Polite Conversations

Pair your next polite coffee order with FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, known for its bright citrus and floral notes, or the Sumatra Mandheling with its classic earthy spice and smooth body. For something sweeter, try the Guatemala Antigua—chocolatey with hints of caramel. These single origins complement a respectful café atmosphere and make every ‘please’ taste better. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.