A Melbourne cafe that only launched last week has already copped significant backlash online after introducing an optional 18% “tax” for male customers.
The cafe, called Handsome Her, is located in Brunswick and offers a variety of vegan and vegetarian options to customers. The business opened on August 4, staffed by a team of women, and with a chalkboard out the front which quickly stoked the fire of outrage.
“Handsome Her is a safe space for women. House rules: 1. Women have priority seating,” the sign read.
“2. Men will be charged an 18% premium to reflect the gender pay gap (2016) which is donated to a women’s service. 3. Respect goes both ways.”
“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,” O’Brien said.
