I am not..

[superhotelworker]

My tag says guest services. It does NOT say "Maintenence, Housekeeping, Flight Operator, Time clock, Valet, or Bellhop."

I'm only an hour into my shift ladies and gents. But somehow, I have run the hallways 3 times to chase kids down. Maybe I should add to the above list, "I AM NOT YOUR BABYSITTER!"

Knocked on one rooms door to let them know their child had tried to tip my machine over. I quote the mother." "He's only 12 He doesn't know any better."

Lady, he's 12. HE SHOULD know better. YOU should have taught him better.

I came in tonight after B had hit the silent alarm. A guy came in with what she thought was a gun (His fingers in his pocket), saying he was going to kill her. I can't say I wouldn't do the same thing. She hit the button and booked it to the managers office. He couldn't get the register open however (it locked when she hit the alarm.) And stupidly stayed til the cops got here. -sighs- people give me a headache.

I came back down to the desk tonight, and have to leave it again. A lady has backed up her toilet. So I grab the rag towels we keep for this (And our own cleaning..) and the plunger, heading to her room.

I knock, identify myself (Front Desk!) and hold out the plunger and towels to her.

"You can come in and fix it."

Me: "No Ma'am. I am not allowed in guests rooms less it's a life or death situation."

Her: "MY TOILET IS FLOODING!"

Her daughter, thankfully had more sense. "Mom, shut up. Thank you." She takes the plunger and towels to fix the toilet.

The mom then tells me, "I want to be moved."

Oh, goodie. "Sorry ma'am, I'm full. I have nowhere to move you."

"Then cancel someone else's room, I was here first!"

"No."

"You saying no to me?"

"Yes, I am. And No, I will not cancel someone elses room. I'm all for guest satisfaction, but right now, the only thing I CAN do, is take 10.00 off your stay."

"Ten dollars? You didn't even fix my toilet! Why do you think ten dollars would make me happy?"

I literally turned around and walked out, left her yelling and making a fuss. She's from the south, and I dunno if she remembers Southern Hospitality right now..

I came back to the desk and opened her folio. Per my mom, she has a 1 pm checkout (Well past what we usually give) and 25% off her room already, on top of the 10.00 Mom told me to take off.

I feel SOO bad for the lady replacing me.

[Kristev]

That's just disgusting. I'm used to having to clean toilets, and you won't believe the stuff I've seen in them here at the big unhappy face store. But wow, that story takes the cake. I'm sorry she was such a . . . mean person.

[Rantsylvania 6-5000]

I'm glad you're in a position to tell these people to plunge their own toilets. Yuck! Somewhere in here is a story of one who wasn't so fortunate. It's old, I don't remember who wrote it, but it involved corn.

[MoscowMinion]

Are you sure it doesn't say something like "I live to serve" or "Command me"?

'Cause, if it doesn't....well, sadly, methinks your customers think it does.

[infinitemonkies]

You also left out "Plumber, tech support, financial planner, psychiatrist, nurse, guidance councilor, teamster, and, on rare occasion, pimp"

[superhotelworker]

LMAO I have been a nurse before. But nope, none of the rest! Especially not Pscyhiatrist. I have my own issues, can't help with yours! LOL

[Evil Queen]

Well, Supes, here's a list that you may enjoy (or may not, I thought it was funny) reading. I shared this here with CS some time ago but since you're new, I thought I would post it again.

"I am a Front Desk Agent"

I have advanced degrees in Accounting, Public Relations, Marketing, Business, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, and Swahili. I can also read minds.

Of course I have the reservation that you booked six years ago even though you don't have the confirmation number and you think it was made under a name that starts with "S".

It is completely my fault that the blizzard shut down the airport and you have to sleep in a warm king-size bed while 5000 of your co-travelers are sleeping in benches at the airport. I am sorry.


It is not a problem for me to give you seven connecting, non-smoking, poolside suites with two king beds in each, four roll aways, 3 cribs, and yes, I can install a wet bar. I know it is my fault that we do not have a helicopter landing pad.

I am a Front Desk Agent. I am expected to speak all languages fluently. It is obvious to me that when you booked your reservation for Friday on the weekend we're sold out that you really meant Saturday. My company has entrusted me with all financial information and decisions, and yes, I am lying to you when I say we have no more rooms available. It is not a problem for me to quickly construct several more guest rooms. THIS time I will not forget the helicopter landing pad. And it is my fault that everyone wanted to stay here. I should have known you were coming in, even though you had no reservation. After all, you stay at our brand of hotel all the time, 300 nights a year, and this is only the first time you've ever been to our city.

I am a front desk agent. I am quite capable of checking three people in, two people out, taking five reservations, answering fifteen incoming calls, delivering six bath towels to room 625, plunging the toilet in room 101, and restocking the supply of pool towels, all at the same time. Yes, I will be glad to call the van driver and tell him to drive over all the cars stuck in traffic because you've been waiting at the airport for 15 minutes and you've got jet lag.

I am a front desk agent, an operator, a bellhop, houseman, guest service representative, housekeeper, sales coordinator, information specialist, entertainment critic, restauranteur, stock broker, referee, janitor, computer technician, plumber, ice-breaker, postman, babysitter, dispatcher, laundry cleaner, lifeguard, electrician, ambassador, personal fitness trainer, fax expert, human jukebox, domestic abuse counselor, and verbal punching bag. Yes, I know room 112 is not answering their phone. And of course I have their travel itinerary so I know exactly where they went when they left here 9 hours ago, and what their cell phone number is.

I always know where to find the best vegetarian-kosher-Mongolian-barbecue restaurants. I know exactly what to see and do in this city in fifteen minutes without spending any money and without getting caught in traffic. I take personal blame for airline food, traffic jams, rental car flat tires, and the nation's economy.

I realize that you meant to book your reservation here. People often confuse us with the Galaxy Delight Motel, Antarctica. Of course I can "fit you in" and yes, you may have the special $1 rate because you are affiliated with the Hoboken Accounting and Bagel Club.

I am expected to smile, empathize, sympathize, console, condole, upsell, downsell (and know when to do which), perform, sing, dance, fix the printer, and tell your friends that you're here. And I know exactly where 613 Possum Trot Lane is in the Way Out There subdivision that they just built last week.

After all, I AM a Front Desk Agent!

[superhotelworker]

You just made my morning. <3 Thanks LOL

[Evil Queen]

You're welcome. ^_^

[bhskittykatt]

You forgot "Voice Talent."

Weirdest request I had was pretending to be someone's cousin. Woman told her boy toy she was on vacay with her coz, and needed someone to play the role so he'd here the voice of her "cousin" on the phone in the background. She tipped me well, so I obliged, but it was awkward.

[superhotelworker]

I've never had that one. That's one heck of an awkward request.

[smileyeagle1021]

I always know where to find the best vegetarian-kosher-Mongolian-barbecue restaurants. I know exactly what to see and do in this city in fifteen minutes without spending any money and without getting caught in traffic.!

Oh I get those a lot... I love the people who get upset that I can't give them recommendations for when they are down in Provo (45 miles away) or even more fun when they are up in Logan (90 miles away).

[infinitemonkies]

Oh yeah, 'alibi' that's another one I forgot that should be on the list.

[superhotelworker]

Oh we aren't going there. LOL

[Princess-Snake]

Seriously, if the kid is 12, then he is EXPECTED to know better than to try to tip over a machine. Hell, I knew better when I was 4!