1 Same Drink, Different Prices, Depending on Your Vibe
Usman Hussain, 29, opened Chaii Shop in Preston, Lancashire, earlier this year; the café offers chai, doughnuts, street food, and desserts—and a sliding scale. He recently posted a sign explaining that customers pay different prices for the same drink, depending on how politely they order. A “Desi Chai” costs £5, while “Desi Chai please” costs £3, and “Hello, Desi Chai please,” costs just £1.90.
2 “A Nice Reminder to Use Your Manners”
Usman said the pricing reinforces the café’s “good vibes only” policy. “I think it’s a nice reminder to use your manners, because unfortunately sometimes we do need reminding,” said Usman. “We’ve never struggled with rude customers, but since having the sign people are definitely coming in more open and having a laugh with us. To me, the most important thing in my business is to walk through the door and be treated like you’re a welcome guest in our home. It’s nice to have that respect reciprocated.”
3 Top Price Rarely Charged ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb
Usman said he was inspired by an American café that had tried the policy some years back and “decided to bring the idea into our shop because it fit perfectly into our concept.” He said it has rarely been necessary to charge customers the top price. “If a customer doesn’t use their manners I point to the sign, and they immediately ask again more politely,” he said. A lot of people can be quite rude in the mornings while they’re waking up but when they see the sign it makes them think."
4 Helps People “Drop Their Guard”
“At the end of the day you never know what someone is going through to make them act rude, but it helps them to drop their guard,” said Usman. “It gets them all talking – like an icebreaker – and that’s what we’re all about.”
5 Social Media Reacts
On Twitter, the story was met with widespread approval. “Great idea,” said one Twitter user. “Sad part of the story is customers need to be reminded to be polite…” “It costs nothing to have manners, or less in this case!” one commenter wrote. “A very good morning to you. I love to come to this marvelous establishment of yours and enjoy delightful Desi Chai for 10p,” suggested another.
