Father and daughter keep saying the hotel room is fine, but not what they expected, when asked why they complain about the carpet: 'If we wanted to just call it here, would we get our money back?'

Author image for María Cetra
María Cetra • Writer
Oct 8, 2026 5:45 PM EDT

Are you sure the only thing that is bothering you is the room's carpet?

It is crazy how much guests and customers like to complain; even when they have no reason to do so, they always find something to say. They are not complaining because they are uncomfortable or discontent about something; they do it for the fun of it. The idea is to bother the poor employee who has to hear this mess, not to get better service. In this story, for example, this father-daughter duo wanted two things, and none have anything to do with better service. Firstly, they just wanted to complain for the art of it, just to show discomfort for fun. Secondly, they wanted to get the room comped over nothing. They used it for hours and wanted to leave without spending a dime. You just have to laugh at this. 

You can't just complain for the fun of it, and guests and customers need to learn that urgently. There is no reason for a front desk employee to hear a customer rant for an hour about how unhappy they are about literally nothing. It doesn't work like that. Either you have a complaint, or you shut up; it's not that hard. It is funny how they do these things, but why do they do it in the first place? Is it just a sign of entitlement? Is it boredom? Or is it just the joy of bothering someone who doesn't have a choice but to hear you for as long as you want to talk? You can't say it isn't entitlement; it's pure and evil entitlement. This family did not have a problem with the room's carpet; their problem is having to pay for a room they reserved. And they know it is wrong; that's why they were doubting whether to say something or not. They didn't have anything to say; they just wanted to see if they had an option to avoid paying, which is not acceptable at all. There should be a protocol for employees to avoid dealing with this kind of customer complaint that never leads to anything. 

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  • 01

    "We're not trying to complain, but..."

    You are, though. By the very nature of you coming up to tell me something isn't to your liking, it is considered a complaint. Which is fine, but just be forthcoming. This tale is inspired by an interaction I had with an adult daughter and her father. They had checked in with my co- worker about two hours prior before later coming up to me.
    via u/ScenicDrive-at5
  • 02
    Father and adult daughter spending time together. Not actual story subjects.
    via Brady Rogers

    Father and adult daughter spending time together. 

    Not actual story subjects. 

  • 03
    The daughter did most of the talking, if I can even call it talking. It felt like I had to reach in and grab the words out of her mouth because she was speaking in a seemingly deliberate hushed tone, in addition to dancing. around the issue. She kept insisting that the room "was fine" but that it "wasn't what we expected." Consequently, I kept having to rephrase my question, asking in so many ways:
    via u/ScenicDrive-at5
  • 04
    "What's wrong with it?" After a lot of spinning tires, eventually I got it out of them that they felt the carpeting wasn't up to snuff. Quite literally the first I've heard anyone comment on it in all my years of working here. Nevertheless, the father finally elaborated a little more, saying: "I've gone many places, you know? So, I just had a certain idea in mind and I didn't realize that this is what your rooms looked
    via u/ScenicDrive-at5
  • 05
    like." The daughter then jumped in asking: "And this is considered one of your nicer rooms?" | double-checked and confirmed that they were indeed occupying an 'upgraded room', which in our case, simply means a bump up in square footage. Curiously, that validation perked her up a bit, which then led to her saying: "Well, I guess it's fine. I mean, we're only here for one night."
    via u/ScenicDrive-at5
  • 06
    In that moment, I thought we'd come some variation of an agreement, but then she did throw a little bit of a curveball: "But, just curious. If we wanted to just call it here, would we get our money back?" I informed her they'd been checked in for a little while now, so the reservation was firmly there's. They could go, of course, but no refunds would be issued. She simply shook her head and said: "Okay, understood. We'll just be around
    via u/ScenicDrive-at5
  • 07
    and what not", and then moseyed on away with her dad. I talked to my co-worker about it shortly after they walked off, emphasizing how it felt like I had to drag their words out. Our theory is that they didn't want my co-worker to hear any complaints, as she was the one who checked them in. She already confirmed they booked an upgraded room, and not only that, they somehow mangled
    via u/ScenicDrive-at5
  • 08
    their reservation to stay one night though they thought they had booked two. Very interesting that they wanted to back out of it in the end.
    via u/ScenicDrive-at5
  • 09
    A hotel suite with a carpet on the floor.
    via Erik Mclean

    A hotel suite with a carpet on the floor. 

  • 10
    bloodyriz They had taken their naps, they were ready to hit the road again, and we're trying to get their nap spot for free.
    via bloodyriz
  • 11
    MightyManorMan I HATE when people hem and haw and you need to pull things out of them. Sir/Madam: 5 words max. Tell me.
    via MightyManorMan
  • 12
    Chuck-fan-33 I would bet that she was doing this at her father's direction, did not really buy his complaints, but did it to shut him up for the rest of the stay.
    via Chuck-fan-33
  • 13
    RevKeakealani I don't mean to be a weirdo but under zero circumstances has my main concern with a hotel been the quality of the carpet. Like, I do not go to hotels for the purpose of having a "stare at the carpet intently" session. It's just not something I've considered doing. Like. Is there a bed and a shower? Toilet? Maybe a TV? Literally that's what a hotel is for? I'm not sure why
    via RevKeakealani
  • 14
    anyone would mainly pay for a hotel to enjoy the carpet. Am I just weird?
    via RevKeakealani
  • 15
    BirthdayCookie Welp, next time I need a hotel I'm picking one with orange carpet and using my colourblindness to complain my way into a free stay. I NEED red carpet and it's not my fault my brain made you lie to me!
    via BirthdayCookie
  • 16
    basilfawltywasright "It's not what we expected." Well, may I ask what you were expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon?
    via basilfawltywasright
  • 17
    MolassesInevitable53 They wanted to stay and not pay.
    via MolassesInevitable53

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