5050 Protocol & Whys?
Going 50/50 or Dutch in a 'no strings attached, you pay for yours and I'll pay for mine' coffee/non-alcoholic beverage of your choosing is the 5050 Protocol behind 5050cafefriends. We believe that when each person pays for their own coffee (or non-alcoholic beverage), that being financially independent places all parties on an equal footing. By creating a level playing field for all individuals meeting in this manner, we believe that we are enabling gender equity which leads to gender equality. The word 'gender' as used here, refers to all genders including men, women and non-binary people.
The 5050 Protocol
UNICEF says gender equality "means that women, men, girls and boys should enjoy the same rights, resources, opportunities and protections. It does not require that girls and boys or women and men, be the same, or that they be treated exactly alike."
The 5050 Protocol that pertains to this website, where (we believe) gender equity (paying for your own beverage) sets the foundation for the possibility of an enduring relationship founded on mutual respect and gender equality which is about 'being equal' but not about being the same - is about having the same rights, responsibilities and opportunities available to everyone regardless of whether born male, female or non-binary.
- Please bear in mind that going 50/50 in a 'no strings attached coffee' is only our recommendation. You are asked to tickbox the 5050 Protocol when you join as we aim to bring awareness to the issue of equality. You can message and arrange to meet with a friend or friends in any manner you like. However we do not take any responsibility for the conduct or behaviour of anyone registered on the 5050cafefriends website at a first meeting and also recommend that you do not drink alcohol during the first meeting. For safety reasons, we also advise that if you choose to meet-up again that you arrange this meeting via the 5050cafefriends website as you do not have to give out any personal details. If you identify as female - you can opt to bring a friend or choose to meet-up as part of a group. All these things will help to keep you safer.
Saying, 'Hi' is a fun and friendly way of saying: 'Hey' and welcoming someone from your area or who shares your interests. Say, 'Hi', make them a Favourite, then meet up in person by hitting the coffee icon. You can also send out a group (multi) invite to meet-up for coffee by finding the Person + symbol in grey 'n white, north on your device.
Introducing yourself is a great way to break the ice. There’s no third party (like a friend) to introduce you when you’re online, it’s just 'you' and 'them,' so make sure you get off to a great start. Firstly, offer your name (first name only), your area or region and what you do for work. Then make sure to take an interest in them by reading their profile or watching their vlog and mentioning a few of their hobbies or interests. People from the same area or who share the same interests have something in common and quickly develop a rapport.
Question: But isn't introducing yourself a little old-fashioned?
Answer: No. If you don't introduce yourself you'll remain a stranger.
Your Intro might go something like this: 'Hi, I'm Ange from Auckland invite me for coffee.'
Intro Icon
You can introduce yourself by tapping the Intro icon located in the panel below every profile photo.
It's what the 5050 (fifty-fifty) in 5050 Coffee is all about. We're making gender equality a reality by requesting that people who Join as a Friend agree with the 5050 Protocol. By paying for your own cup of coffee, (or going 50/50) you are meeting a friend or friends on an equal 'no strings attached' basis and are therefore under no further obligation to anyone and can leave when you want. Everyone who registers on 5050cafefriends must agree to the 5050 Protocol in order to join.
Question: But I don’t get it. If someone invites you for coffee shouldn’t they have to pay?
Answer: No. We request that you agree to the 5050 Protocol when you join as a Friend. When someone sends you a coffee invite, all they’re really saying is: I’d just like to meet you in a no strings attached way with a view to perhaps becoming friends.
By paying for your own coffee, you’re meeting someone on your own terms and you’re meeting them because you want to. It also places you under no obligation whatsoever to anyone that you meet.
The message with your 5050 Coffee invite might go something like this: 'Hi, there's a great cafe just around the corner from where we work. Would you like to meet there?'
Coffee Cup Icon
You can send an invite for 5050 Coffee by tapping the Coffee Cup icon located below every profile photo.
Vlogs don't lie. A photo can be of anyone. If you want to be sure of who you are meeting, then view their vlog. If they don't have one - request they upload one. We recommend that you always view someone's vlog before you meet them, this helps with knowing one or more people a little better.
- Hint - If you feel that your vlog is unflattering, then use a selfie stick to video your vlog. You’ll feel more comfortable, confident and in control of how your vlog appears.
Question: What's vlog?
Answer: Its someone's video-log-intro. Similar to a selfie but a video and much more difficult to fake.
You might say something like this in your vlog: 'Hi, I'm Suzie from Sandringham invite me for coffee.’ (About 4 or 5 secs)
Vlog Icon
You can view vlogs by tapping the Vlog icon located below every profile photo.
At 5050 we care about who you meet and how you meet them. That's why we recommend that everyone upload a vlog and be 5050 Verified. Having a vlog to view gives a stronger indication that someone is more likely to be who they claim to be. All vlogs and photos must be approved before being permitted on the website. Non-human images, nudity and children (under 18 yrs) are not permitted.
Question: So how can I become 5050 Verified?
Answer: The 5050 Verified badge will appear on your profile photo when you have a vlog uploaded.
The 5050 Verified Badge appears on someone's profile photo when they have a vlog present.