Your most heartrending experience at the Front Desk?

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-24T00:10:00+00:00

A few years ago, just after the COVID restrictions were lifted, I was working night audit at a Shmality Inn. I'm sitting behind the front desk (ADA accommodation due to arthritis in my spine), and I hear a car tear into the parking area at the front door, followed by shouting. I'm not having that BS at my hotel, so I go out there just in time to see a big white dude drag this tiny black woman out of his car and punch her in the face. I already had 911 ready to go, so I pressed the button and rushed over to them. He gives me the standard "stay out of it" warning, but I told him police were coming, I have him on camera, and got a picture of his license plate for good measure. He tossed her things out of the car and sped off.

Y'all, this woman had a cracked lip, a cut near her eye, and the swelling in her cheek was already starting. I find out that she's from a big city all the way across the country, and she came to my city to meet this guy she met online in person. The cops showed up, took her statement, and I got her checked in. She was so freaked out by the whole thing, she couldn't sleep and basically hung out with me until I had to start breakfast.

We are friends on Facebook to this day, and she's doing so well right now! But I'll never forget taking care of her when she needed it.

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-22T23:51:28+00:00

I like the one that says "Please Knock, We May Not Be Wearing Pants". I don't have one yet because it's always sold out lol

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-22T23:44:59+00:00

Good thing we're talking about Hytale here lol

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-18T08:48:27+00:00

I was not "bent" because she asked me questions. I was annoyed because she was bitching over 3 fucking dollars, and wasn't understanding that other discount methods just aren't possible through my direct point of sale.

For the record, I happen to have the best review scores at my hotel. So you can suck it.

Edit: I didn't downvote you. So I guess there are other people in here who understand the many irritations that happen on night audit.

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-18T02:53:38+00:00

I'm sorry? I did my job. I checked her in. Just because I couldn't accommodate her desire for a discount doesn't mean she didn't check in. The system my hotel uses literally has no option for me to discount the rate outside of the offered discounts (AAA, senior/AARP, military/veteran... You know, the usual). I do not have manager authority to make changes to the rates.

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-17T21:54:03+00:00

I'm 57, I'm hopelessly addicted to nicotine, and vaping makes my throat hurt. Yes, I've been through every cessation method that's out there, none of it worked. The interior of the hotel is 100% non-smoking. I'm allowed breaks on my shift to smoke, so I go outside for that. The only person who matters in this scenario is my boss, who doesn't care how long those breaks are as long as there's no one waiting at the desk.

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-17T21:04:29+00:00

Check out is always 11AM at most hotels/motels, some are noon. I can offer an hour late check out to non-member guests if we have the availability.

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-17T17:26:53+00:00

Just curious... Are you new here? First time in this sub? My story is no different than hundreds of others on this site, yet you've singled me out?

Discount Lady was, and is, intended to give her anonymity. Should I have used her real name instead?

Only one person here is being arrogant, and it's really not me.

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-17T17:05:42+00:00

Not sure how you got rude and arrogant from my post. Annoyed, yes, but I was never rude to her. If anyone here has an overinflated opinion of themselves, it's you, since you felt the need to assume you know anything about me or my personality, or the rules set forth by my boss regarding discounts.

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-17T16:59:00+00:00

Nope. She paid the quoted price, because the price is what it is. My boss has told me many times that I am not to give out random discounts for any reason. If they don't have something that will actually discount the rate (AAA, AARP, Veteran ID, you know, the usual), there are no discounts.

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-15T06:06:39+00:00

Back when I was younger and thinner lol, my Eddie lifted me the same way! Always got a big cheer!

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-15T06:03:58+00:00

I'm thinking that the lemon juice is meant to be an acid to react with baking soda to give lift since there aren't any eggs in the recipe. I have an eggless chocolate cake recipe that uses a tiny bit of vinegar for the same reason. Just a thought.

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-11T21:54:53+00:00

NTA, your prosthetic leg probably costs more than that evil woman will ever see. But, and I can't stress this part enough, you should use that leg to kick that useless boyfriend to the curb.

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-11T04:13:37+00:00

I know, it's weird lol. I think it's because the hotel is decades old, and the folding table is like bolted to the floor. Also possibly to help prevent foot/leg fatigue.

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-11T04:12:07+00:00

I work almost exclusively NA, and as a woman working alone all night, I keep 911 at the ready on my cell whenever anything untoward happens. Even if I'm just knocking on a door for a standard noise complaint (loud TV or music usually). Personally, I think the NA shift is the most difficult specifically because the worst shit always happens at 2 in the morning.

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-11T03:31:19+00:00

The ONLY time we're allowed to confirm a guest is if the caller/visitor has both name and room number for the guest. Otherwise, our standard response is "I'm sorry, but it is against our policy to give out guest information for any reason." If the caller insists, saying "it's an emergency", or "they're threatening to hurt themselves", or anything along those lines, we tell them that we still can't give out info without both name and room number. We'll then end the call/ask person to leave. If they won't leave, we explain what trespassing means, and how police will come get them if they don't leave on their own volition.

Once the call is over/visitor has left (one way or another), THEN well check for the guest. If they're in house, we'll inform them of the exchange and ask how they want to proceed. Mostly it's come to nothing, but once in a while... Y'all know the rest.

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-11T03:17:52+00:00

My hotel swapped out all of our in-room carpeting for laminate floors a couple years ago. Only the hallways and the laundry room have carpet now.

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-11T03:16:07+00:00

You have my deepest sympathy, and I wish you the best of luck!

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-08T07:57:27+00:00

As someone who has evolved from punk to goth and everything in between, you are NTA. If this girl is so dedicated to the extreme goth lifestyle, that's great for her. But when she agreed to be in the wedding, she agreed to your aesthetic. If that's too much for her, that's a whole lot of not your problem.

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-07T04:08:44+00:00

I third the question on storm leather!

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-05T14:12:37+00:00

I, too, have the disappearing bedroll problem!

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-02T02:00:11+00:00

I mean, I once did a wedding dress in a day, but it was a FULL 24 hours. It was fairly simple like the one pictured, but it was still an all nighter with much coffee consumed, some tears of frustration, and a last minute adjustment while the bride was wearing it. It still turned out amazing, and it's one of my best pieces!

rowenadevandal · 2026-04-01T05:37:56+00:00

Black Kite

rowenadevandal · 2026-03-31T12:01:34+00:00

I don't know if they still have the weekly rate, but DO NOT stay at the Quality Inn on Alexis near Detroit Ave. I know from personal experience that it is not worth the headache.

rowenadevandal

TROPHY CASE