Politeness Affects Coffee Price at Australian Cafe

In New South Wales, Australia, one small cafe decided to tackle a common customer habit head-on: rudeness. Many patrons were ordering coffee without basic manners, and the owners wanted to change that. Their solution? A unique pricing model based entirely on how politely you ask for your drink.

The answer is clear: saying "please" and a greeting like "good morning" can cut the price of your coffee by up to a dollar. A plain "coffee" costs $5, "please give me a coffee" is $4.50, and "good morning, please give me a coffee" drops the price to just $4.

How the Polite Pricing Works

The cafe, located in New South Wales, put up a bold sign at its entrance explaining the pricing system. The cost of a coffee depends entirely on the language used when ordering. There are three specific phrases that determine the price:

• Saying only "a coffee" will cost you $5.
• Saying "please give me a coffee" reduces the price to $4.50.
• Saying "good morning, please give me a coffee" brings the cost down to $4.

Why This Experiment Started

Cafe owner Kevin Chilver and his wife wanted to encourage more respectful interactions between staff and customers. They noticed that many people were ordering without saying "please" or greeting the staff, and they felt it was time to remind everyone of the value of basic courtesy. The sign was put up as a lighthearted but meaningful way to promote politeness.

The Results After Two Months

Although the pricing model has only been in place for two months, the results have been promising. According to the owners, customers have started to respond positively, actively altering the way they place their orders. The sign has been well received, and the cafe has seen a shift in customer behavior toward more polite interactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the original price of a coffee without any polite words?

The base price for simply saying "a coffee" was set at $5. This served as the control or default price for comparison with more polite orders.

How much does a coffee cost if you say "please"?

If you say "please give me a coffee," the price is reduced to $4.50. Just adding the word "please" saves you 50 cents.

What’s the cheapest price you can get for a coffee at this cafe?

The lowest price available is $4, which you receive if you say "good morning, please give me a coffee." This includes both a greeting and the polite word "please."

How long has this pricing policy been in place?

The polite pricing system has only been running for two months, but the cafe owners have already noticed positive changes in customer behavior.

Does the cafe offer other incentives for good behavior?

Currently, the only incentive is the reduced price based on politeness. There are no other discounts or rewards mentioned beyond the tiered pricing for different levels of courtesy.

Is this pricing model unique to this cafe in Australia?

While similar experiments have appeared in other places globally, this particular pricing model based on polite greetings is part of what makes this New South Wales cafe stand out locally.

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