by Anonymous
There are different practices regarding how to charge singles for community events, some of which may be uncomfortable for many single people. I’d like to share my personal thoughts based on my own experience as a single.
For some activities, it is common to charge a “Singles Tax.” This may appear as offering a “Couples Discount,” which effectively means charging a single individual more than half the price charged to a couple. Such a discount can make sense when the cost for a single is legitimately more than half the cost for a couple, for example, when one person rents a hotel room versus when a couple rents the same room.
However, there are times when offering couples discounts is not financially necessary and may make singles feel unwelcome. For example, at community events such as a shul dinner, performance, or lecture where the cost for a single to participate is not more than half the cost for a couple, and where there is no marketing or financial reason to attract couples over individuals, a “Singles Tax” should not be applied. I know that in my case, I usually feel too uncomfortable to attend events that charge a “Singles Tax” or offer a “Couple’s Discount” when there is no clear justification.
I acknowledge that “Couples Discounts” are usually offered with good intentions. I would still like to suggest that, unless financially necessary, or perhaps occasionally justified when specifically attempting to attract spouses who do not usually attend certain events, organizations should avoid charging “Singles Taxes” or offering “Couples Discounts.” Instead, I believe it would be more appropriate and more welcoming to the entire community to charge participation or admission fees on a per-individual basis. This simple gesture could go a long way toward helping many singles feel more comfortable and included in a culture that is understandably focused on the needs of the larger population of married adults.
To sign up for the Kol Echad Limited Series E-Magazine, click here: https://www.ou.org/kolechademail/
