How to Make Your Patrons Smile More: Charge them Extra for Rudeness

Photo of the menu at La Petite Syrah as tweeted by French journalist @tokai06

A French cafe has introduced a sliding scale for the price of its coffee, based on the politeness of its customers.

As the menu at the La Petite Syrah in Nice states, those customers who say the full “Bonjour, un café, s’il vous plaît” (hello, one coffee please) are charged a modest €1.40 ($1.93 USD). Those who skip the hello and just say “un café, s’il vous plaît” are charged €4.25 ($5.86), and those who ignore all manners and manage to mutter only their order, “un café,” are hit for €7 ($9.63).

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Could this be real? Not exactly. La Petite Syrah manager Fabrice Pepino is telling local sources that he has not yet enforced the pricing scheme, which started as a joke aimed at busy lunchtime patrons. He says the sign causes people to stop, process what they’re reading and in the moment absorb a lighthearted jab. Pepino told The Local:

“Most of my customers are regulars and they just see the funny side and exaggerate their politeness,” he said, adding “They started calling me ‘your greatness’ when they saw the sign.”

“But people are more relaxed now, and they’re smiling more. That’s the most important thing.”

(more: Coffee Shop Lashes Out Against ‘Silly Ass Rich People in Spandex’)