'Handsome Her' in Melbourne, Australia is a cafe by women, for women. Opened recently, the vegan cafe is already making a buzz, not for its selection of food or ambience but for its house rules. If you're a man, one week every month, you will be asked to pay 18% more than a woman. The premium, the restaurant says, is to bring attention to gender wage gap and the extra money they make will go towards women's charities.
"House Rules, Rule #1: women have priority seating. Rule #2: men will be charged an 18% premium to reflect the gender pay gap (2016) which is donated to a women's service. Rule #3 respect goes both ways," reads a blackboard outside the premises.
The tax is optional, so far, but none of the male customers have refused to pay the extra tax, reported Yahoo.
The restaurant's aim is to start a dialogue about disparity in wage based on gender.
"I do want people to think about it, because we've had this (pay discrepancy) for decades and decades and we're bringing it to the forefront of people's minds. I like that it is making men stop and question their privilege a little bit," owner Alex O'Brien told Broadsheet.
While customers have been mostly receptive of the policy, on internet, the policy divided opinion after a friend of the owner posted it on Twitter.
The vegan cafe also wants to do its bit to be eco-friendly. 'Handsome Her' doesn't give out disposable cups but hands out ceramic mugs instead, many of which come from charities and locals.
The women-oriented theme is reflected in its decor. There is a wall dedicated to inspirational women of our times. A good source of #motivation
And here's the team, consisting mostly of women, that runs the tight ship.
Do you think the tax is the right way to tackle gender pay gap or does it deepen the divide? Let us know in the comments below.
"House Rules, Rule #1: women have priority seating. Rule #2: men will be charged an 18% premium to reflect the gender pay gap (2016) which is donated to a women's service. Rule #3 respect goes both ways," reads a blackboard outside the premises.
The restaurant's aim is to start a dialogue about disparity in wage based on gender.
Advertisement
While customers have been mostly receptive of the policy, on internet, the policy divided opinion after a friend of the owner posted it on Twitter.
The vegan cafe also wants to do its bit to be eco-friendly. 'Handsome Her' doesn't give out disposable cups but hands out ceramic mugs instead, many of which come from charities and locals.
The women-oriented theme is reflected in its decor. There is a wall dedicated to inspirational women of our times. A good source of #motivation
And here's the team, consisting mostly of women, that runs the tight ship.
Do you think the tax is the right way to tackle gender pay gap or does it deepen the divide? Let us know in the comments below.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"Difficult To Decide..." - Jonty Rhodes Posts About Enjoying Local Food In Bengaluru House Of Ming's New Menu: A Sophisticated Journey Through China's Culinary Regions Barbeque Nation, Nine O Nine Pub In Hyderabad's Kothapet Inspected By Food Safety Officials INDIA's "Hit With Footwear" Protest In Mumbai Over Shivaji Statue Collapse Celebrated "Russian Spy" Whale Hvaldimir Found Dead In Norway: Report Video: Man Sits On Chair In Middle Of UP Road, Gets Hit By Truck Israel Recovers Bodies Of Six Hostages, Including US Citizen, From Gaza Tunnel INDIA's "Hit With Footwear" Protest In Mumbai Over Shivaji Statue Collapse Woman Posts Pic Of Auto Rickshaw With A Window, Internet Calls It "Cool" Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.