Australian Cafe Charges Based on Customer Politeness

In a small Australian seaside town, one coffee shop is turning casual orders into a social experiment—one where your tone can cost you literally. What started as a quirky idea is now making headlines for charging customers different prices for the exact same cup of coffee, depending entirely on how they ask for it. This isn’t about the beans or the brew method. It’s about how we talk to the people serving us.

The short answer? Order politely, and you’ll pay less. A simple “coffee” costs $5 AUD (about £2.70 / $3.10 USD), “please” drops it to $4.50, and a full “good morning, please can I have a coffee?” gets you the best deal at just $4. That’s a full dollar off for a few extra words—and a lot more courtesy.

How the Gerroa Cafe’s Politeness Pricing Works

Located in Gerroa, a coastal town in New South Wales, Australia, the cafe is run by Kevin Chilver and his wife Kylie Pickett. Two months ago, they introduced a new pricing model based solely on how politely customers place their coffee orders. The price changes depending on the language used, not the drink itself.

To make it clear, the couple put up a sign outside their cafe outlining the tiered pricing:

• “Coffee” → $5 AUD
• “Please coffee” → $4.50 AUD
• “Good morning, please can I have a coffee?” → $4 AUD

Why This Pricing Model Exists

According to Kevin Chilver, the idea wasn’t about making extra money or tricking customers—it was a deliberate attempt to encourage basic manners. “Basic politeness isn’t as common as it used to be,” Chilver said. “We’re trying to bring some of that back.” He added that while they work in the service industry, they also deserve to be treated with respect, just like anyone else.

The inspiration reportedly came from a sign the couple saw while working at another business. They liked the concept so much, they decided to implement it in their own cafe.

What Happened After the Policy Went Live

Since introducing the policy, Chilver says customers have visibly made an effort to be more courteous when ordering. While some may see it as a gimmick to draw attention, the real goal was to spark a larger conversation about respect—for both service workers and fellow customers.

“It’s not just about saving 50 cents,” Chilver explained. “It’s about recognising that the person serving you is a human being who deserves the same courtesy you’d want in return.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What coffee shop in Australia charges based on politeness?

The cafe is located in Gerroa, New South Wales, and is run by Kevin Chilver and Kylie Pickett. They adjust coffee prices based on the politeness of the customer’s order, not the coffee itself.

How much does coffee cost at the Gerroa cafe?

A plain “coffee” costs $5 AUD, “please coffee” is $4.50 AUD, and a full polite request like “good morning, please can I have a coffee?” costs just $4 AUD.

Why did the cafe start charging based on politeness?

The owners wanted to encourage more respectful customer behaviour. Kevin Chilver said basic manners have become rare, and they wanted to remind people to treat service workers with courtesy.

Does the coffee taste different based on how you order?

No—the coffee itself is the same regardless of how you order. The only thing that changes is the price, based on the language and tone used when placing the order.

Is this pricing strategy just a marketing trick?

While it has drawn attention, the owners say the main goal is to promote respect and politeness, not just to attract customers. They’ve noticed more courteous ordering since the policy began.

Where is the Gerroa cafe located?

The cafe is in Gerroa, a small town in New South Wales, Australia. It’s run by a husband-and-wife team, Kevin Chilver and Kylie Pickett.

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