'All he had to do was be normal… He's not getting a refund now': Entitled hotel guest tries to whine his way into getting 1 free night, was about to get it until he turned into a Karen

Author image for Elna McHilderson
Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor
Jul 26, 2024 7:00 AM EDT

Kindness can go a long way, but so can pettiness. 

Advertisement

  • There are times when you need to stand up for yourself and fight back, and then there are times when you just need to be understanding and kind. When it comes to customer service, it's usually the latter. You will not get anywhere if you scream at someone who just worked 12 hours because the coffee machine in your room doesn't work. Like, get some perspective, bud. 

    Recently, a front desk clerk at a hotel shared a perfect example of how kindness is all you need. A guest realized last minute that he didn't need the room for another night and was checking out earlier than intended, so he wanted a refund for the second night. The hotel employee had fully intended to give him this refund, but it takes some steps in the mind time. There is a whole system in place. However, this guest did not like that he wasn't getting everything he wanted immediately, so he threw a Karen-level tantrum. Because of this, the hotel clerk decided NOT to give him a refund. A refund would have been courteous, but if you aren't showing courtesy to the staff, then why would they show it back? Read how it all went down below and avoid this fate!

     

  • 01
    Then Whiny McWhinypants made a fatal error... I still had every intention of giving him the refund... [But] plans change.
    via YunHo LEE via Flickr
  • 02
    Congratulations, you hecked yourself over Medium I am already in a sour mood today because it's my day off and I made plans because I forgot I agreed to work this weekend three months ago. My fault and no one else's of course, but it's still a bummer. I've also been dealing with back issues all week, and woke up with a cold yesterday so it's just kind of been a dogpile on my morale. It's some honestly, I never get sick and now I've been sick twice this year. I want to speak to a manager.
    via mstarrbrannigan
  • 03
    At about 1:15pm, a man came to the desk to check out stating that he had paid for two nights but it turned out he only needed one. Okay, no problem. I asked if he needed a receipt, he did, so I printed one for him. He looked at it, and asked why it still had the second night on it. I explained that it was over two hours after check out time so I was going to have to check with the head housekeeper to be sure that staff had time to clean the room and confirm with the GM that the refund was okay.
    via mstarrbrannigan
  • 04
    But he didn't like that answer. He said his check out wasn't two hours ago because he checked in at 10pm last night. I told him check out is 11am regardless of when you check in, and the latest check out we offer is noon. As such, I was going to have to check with the HHK and GM. He didn't seem to like that answer, but went outside.
    via mstarrbrannigan
  • 05
    The GM was actually in the office directly behind me with the door open, but I didn't know how much of the conversation she had paid attention to so I went back in there so we could talk about his entitled attitude. We didn't even get the chance to have the HHK go check the room before I heard him come back angrily into the lobby.
    via mstarrbrannigan
  • 06
    He asked how I was going to get back to him when we didn't have his phone number. I apologized and said I didn't realize we didn't have his number on file, which is true. He blustered at me while I pulled his reservation back up. I have no idea what he said because I wasn't paying attention, I just know that he was talking and angry. I ignored whatever he was whining about and asked for his phone number. He kept about whatever and his companion who hadn't intervened at all gave the phone number.
    via mstarrbrannigan
  • 07
    Then Whiny McWhinypants made a fatal error. He said he was going to do a chargeback if we didn't refund the money. Again, up until that point I still had every intention of giving him the refund. It's after check out, but for a reasonable guest it's whatever. Plans change. But he wasn't being reasonable and I can't abide entitlement. I call it reflexive obstinance. If you're being an, my job suddenly becomes being your obstacle however I can within the parameters of still doing my job well.
    via mstarrbrannigan
  • 08
    I told him to do what he had to, but the hotel hadn't charged anything beyond what he'd agreed to and we had his signature to prove it and to have a good day. At this point there was someone else behind him waiting for assistance, so I just wanted him gone. He decided however he was going to attempt to stare me down. I stared back for a few seconds through my dayquil haze but he wasn't leaving so I beckoned the person behind him waiting to come up to the desk to try to make it awkward for him an
    via mstarrbrannigan
  • 09
    After helping the other person in line, I pulled the guy's reg card to give to the GM for his inevitable chargeback. She has no more tolerance for entitlement than I do, so she also he agreed he can go himself. He's not getting a refund. All he had to do was be normal, but instead he I himself over.
    via mstarrbrannigan
  • 10
    hundycougar 4d ago Wait. You have management that backs you up?!? I don't think I read much where that happens... it's like a bright shining light in the darkness of ignorance and neglect... 159 Reply
    via hundycougar
  • 11
    Just_Consequence1648 4d ago Like people don't get it, hotel rooms are charged from 4pm Tuesday- 12pm Wednesday. Is one full day. It don't matter if you check in 4 am, you still gotta go by c/o time. Unless you are authorized for a late check out. 31 Reply
    via Just_Consequences1648
  • 12
    kevnmartin • 4d ago What the do dudes think they're accomplishing with trying to stare people down? It just makes them look like petulant toddlers. 45 Reply ...
    via kevnmartin
  • 13
    Less-Law9035 • 4d ago When I've had people try to stare me down, I inevitably break out in laughter and then they are really mad. I'm guessing threats and stare- downs have worked for him before. Thankfully, you and your GM did not cave. 14 Reply ...
    via Less-Law9035
  • 14
    snurtz • 4d ago sometimes I feel bad that I will refuse to do things for a guest when I'm in a bad mood that I will 100% do if I'm not... I'm glad to see I'm not the only one and it makes me feel better lol ↑ 9 Reply
    via snurtz
  • 15
    KiteeCatAus • 3d ago So he booked 2 nights, and checked out late, meaning you have very short notice and might not be able to be fill the room, so lose money due to him changing his mind, and he loses it! Nuts! 253 Reply
    via KiteeCatsAus
  • 16
    caffeineandsnark 3d ago • But he wasn't being reasonable and I can't abide entitlement. I call it reflexive obstinance. If you're being an , my job suddenly becomes being your obstacle however I can within the parameters of still doing my job well. This brought back so many memories. This was my MO when I worked in hotels. Mess with me and
    via caffeineandsnark
  • 17
    I'll make it my sole point of the shift to make life miserable within the limitations of my job - and come close to malicious compliance. My co-workers loved it when I switched to that mood, especially after I got into management. Some of them have said that they could see the immediate shift in my eyes, and either going to call another department to run popcorn to the desk, or they were clearing the area.
    via caffeineandsnark
  • 18
    (This was right when camera phones got started, so they were not yet a thing to record long videos with.) One more reason I'm glad I don't work with customers IRL any more -- I might get away with saying one thing, but my face will inevitably say another. If I'm going to have side-eye in my voice, I should at least be able to hide my face, lol. ↑ 5 Reply :
    via caffeineandsnark
  • 19
    • kagato87 4d ago A professional attitude and a warm smile get you soooooo much. Even larger-than-they're-supposed-to soft serve pours. :) ↑ 3 3 Reply
    via kagato87

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

karens service industry story dinning server front desk waiter funny server reddit karen tipping male karen fine dinning hotel employee server life what goes around comes around entitled people karma pay back karens in the wild hotel service justice served entitled karen karma dining experiences r-entitled waitress Reddit restaurant work karen story hotel clerk karma karen restaurant server entitled people service industry funny dinning
Scroll Down For The Next Article