In a bold move that's part culinary innovation and part social experiment, the newly opened "Café Equality" in Brooklyn, New York, is making headlines for its revolutionary pricing model: charging customers based on their "Privilege Score."
Upon entering the café, patrons are not greeted with menus, but with a questionnaire that includes such queries as, "Have you ever been discriminated against because of your race or ethnicity?" and "Can you easily find makeup or bandages in your flesh tone?" Also, "Did you grow up in a household where there were books?". The questions cover a multitude of areas including socio-economic, gender, race-ethnicity and education.
"I thought I was just coming in for a latte, but I ended up owing $18 and a heartfelt apology to someone named Gloria," said one bewildered customer, who scored high on the privilege scale due to his zip code and inability to dance.
The café's owner, Juniper Moonbeam, explains, "It's about bringing equity to espresso. We use a complex algorithm that combines economic background, social factors, and the number of times you've used 'namaste' inappropriately."
Not everyone is thrilled with the new system. "I just wanted a muffin," complained another patron, who received a 20% discount after the system identified her as a left-handed person, a group historically oppressed by a world designed for right-handers.
To complicate matters further, the café also features a 'Guilty Pleasure' pastry case, where prices fluctuate based on current social justice trends and Twitter hashtags. Last Tuesday, a scone cost $3.50, but by Friday it surged to $5.00 following a celebrity endorsement of scone awareness.
Accountants are equally puzzled. "I've seen a lot of creative accounting methods, but basing financial transactions on an ever-changing privilege index is... innovative, to say the least," remarked CPA Linda Grossman, who was brought in to consult after the café's first tumultuous month.
The response on social media has been explosive, with hashtags like #PrivilegePricing and #HowMuchForAnAmericano trending.
Critics argue that it's just performative activism, while supporters claim it's a step towards a more conscious capitalism.
As for future plans, Moonbeam hints at expanding the model. "Next, we're thinking of adjusting WiFi speeds based on privilege scores. It's only fair that those who've had less access to information should get to stream at faster speeds."
Whether or not "Café Equality" will spark a trend in socially conscious businesses remains to be seen, but for now, it remains a fascinating, if confusing, experiment in mixing social justice with java.
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