The café that gives women priority seating and charges men more
A café that gives women priority seating and charges men more is making waves in Melbourne's inner north.
Handsome Her is a cafe where women reign supreme, with the owner, Alexandra O'Brien, explaining she wants the surcharge on men to address the gender pay gap.
She calls it a space for women, by women with women receiving priority seating and an extra tax for men.
"One week out of every month we have an 18 per cent premium for men which is the same as the gender pay gap," Ms O'Brien said.
"I think it's fair - if you think about the world and the gender inequality that we have," a female customer told 7 News.
"I think it's a brilliant idea because I don't think many people actually know the gap," another female customer said.
Two Qantas flights forced to return to Sydney with 'mechanical issues'
Former soldier Dane Pilcher guilty of murdering ex-girlfriend
The tax is optional but so far, none of the cafe's male customers have refused to pay it.
"I could wear that, given it's a fairly unequal pay gap between men and women," customer Phil Dempster said.
"Even though there is supposedly equal pay, it doesn't really equate out there."
Staff say the gender tax isn't aimed at excluding people but rather educating them with proceeds going to charity.
"If men don't want to pay it, we're not going to kick them out the door. It's just an opportunity to do some good," Ms O'Brien said.