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Rude Client Gives Receptionist A “Reservation” For 4th-Floor Room At A 3-Floor Hotel, Ends Up On The Roof
Working at a front desk at any establishment can be both a blessing and a curse. While you are the face of the company or institution, you are also a gatekeeper of sorts who needs to deal with anything fate throws your way.
An internaut shared a story from their days working at a hotel front desk and having to deal with a certain client who simply refused to accept that she had been duped, so malicious compliance ensued.
More Info: Reddit
RELATED:
No doubt anyone who has worked the front desk has at least a few “bad customer” stories
Image credits: bearjcc
Reddit user u/bearjcc paid a visit to the r/MaliciousCompliance community, a subreddit dedicated to conformation to the letter, but not necessarily to the spirit of a request, to share a story of how he, while working a hotel front desk, had to deal with a particularly rude and stubborn customer.
The customer in question apparently came in with a reservation that she claimed she paid good money for. Unfortunately for her, the hotel didn’t do third-party reservations, let alone for accommodations for a hotel of a different name and those found on the 4th floor of a 3-floor hotel. Yep, it was a fraudulent reservation. This was besides the fact that the hotel was completely booked for the night.
And this front desk employee shared one with extra revenge added to it, in the form of malicious compliance
Image credits: bearjcc
The woman simply barged in, began dragging her luggage, slapped the reservation slip onto the front desk and bolted to get even more luggage. Having assumed the protagonist of our story would do all of the formalities while she readied herself, she came back to see that nothing was really done.
After a while of trying to explain that this was a different hotel, they didn’t do third-party reservations, there was no 4th floor, etc., etc., the lady did not back down and insisted, quite rudely, might I add, that she had a reservation, and she wanted to be taken to her room.
So be it. Cue malicious compliance.
Image credits: bearjcc
OP grabbed a large set of keys, picked up her luggage, hauled it up to the third floor (elevator’s busted), pointing out that it was the 3rd floor, then proceeded to open up a door that did not look like a hotel room door, and proceeded to take both the client and her luggage to the supposed 4th floor, which turned out to be the roof.
“… and here is the fourth floor, I hope it is as nice as the last time you stayed here,” said the maliciously compliant front desk employee. And then left her there.
Image credits: bearjcc
A while later, he went back to check up on the roof patron, who was gone by then, and so locked up the door. She must have left via a different exit. And, granted, OP would have helped her if she hadn’t been so difficult, but it is what it is, and this turned out to be a great story for the internet to enjoy.
So great, in fact, that it got a tad bit over 17,000 upvotes with over 50 Reddit awards. Needless to say, people loved it and applauded the perfectly executed malicious bit of compliance. Others shared their own experiences while yet others, also receptionists, wish they would have done the same.
Image credits: bearjcc
You can check out the story, as well as how people reacted in the original post here. Or you can read any other malicious compliance story we have already covered here. But before you go, tell us your thoughts on this malicious tactic in dealing with pesky hotel patrons in the comment section below!
The internet loved the story, sharing their thoughts and experiences along the way
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Two_rolling_black_eyes 3 years ago
My dad used to be the night auditor for the Brown Palace 40 years ago pre-PC and pre-credit card. Its Denver's version of Waldorf NY or Ritz Paris. It was a target for con men who knew it was cash rich and so were the guests. The front desk regularly had con men who'd try to break several $100 bills and over and over into change and end up with more money than the started with (can I get 3 $20, 3 $10, 2 $5 and 10 $1 = $10 profit on $100). The front desk would explain my dad was the only one who could break it right then and get him. He'd then run the con on them so they were forced to count each time and ask for corrections - you're the night auditor because you're really good at math. A house detective would step out and go grab a policeman. When they got back, they'd turn over the con man and the video tape of the front desk. After a couple got decent sentences for attempt to commit fraud, the word got around to leave the front desk at the Brown Palace alone.
Nicole A 3 years ago
Awesome story. YouTube Abbott and Costello for their 7 into 28 routine and their 7x13=28 routine. Better yet, their 2 tens for a 5 routine. Sounds like a similar thing. I used to use those examples every year (math teacher) to show my students how easy it can be to be fooled by wrong math.
Load More Replies...
Valisbourne Spiritforge 3 years ago
I'll use 3rd party sites to browse hotels from time to time, but I always book on the hotel site itself.
bonnyatlast 3 years ago
I won't book third party ever. My husband was very ill and after numerous dr appointments, surgery and a hospital stay we wanted to get away for a few days to put the trauma behind us and return to a somewhat normal life. So we booked an Oceanside room where you could just step out and sit on a patio and had a great view. When we got there the room we were given was for the handicapped. It looked like a hospital room. They had no clue what we had just been through. We were in no need of a handicap room. The hotel was privately owned and expensive. And when I asked to be moved they said all the other rooms were booked that was all that was left. I had made reservations months earlier. It was heartbreaking. What we tried to escape from was thrown back at us. Never use that booking business again. Ever.
Nicole A 3 years ago
That's ironic (I'm not trying to make fun of your crummy situation). I *am* handicapped and travel with a wheelchair. I always specify I need a wheelchair accessible room. I'll even call the hotel specifically to make sure. I can't tell you how many times I don't get one. It makes going to the bathroom a nearly impossible task because the door is too small and there's no room in there for both chair and toilet. Usually they've ended up giving the handicap room to an able bodied person. The best (worst) was the hotel that put me on the 4th floor but their elevator was out of service. I said unless you're carrying me up those stairs, please find something on the first floor at least!
Load More Replies...
Nicole A 3 years ago
First of all, tip your front desk agent because they control what room you get. People tip concierge like crazy but when they closed we took over the work for the night and would still not get tipped. Worked my way through college at a Ritz-y 😉 hotel. We knew all the good view rooms, the ones with ants, the ones that were near the ice machine, etc. If it was a nice repeat customer or someone celebrating something like honeymoon we'd try to give them the best available room. New mom? Put them in one of the quietest rooms. You get the idea. We got a lot of VIPs in there that would act like their poo doesn't stink. We used to love giving them the room with the running toilet you had to jiggle the handle on. Especially the ones that pushed their weight around to try and get everything for free. Best guest ever was Paul Newman. He learned our names right away and was very personable - asked about our families and everything. So down to earth. Great guy.
Nicole A 3 years ago
Worst guest would probably be a tie. I'm sure I can't mention names but it later came out that both men were charged with sexual assault. Nobody on staff was surprised. One has somewhat recovered his reputation (although he's not on any shows lately, but I think it's more a retirement thing). The other guy lost his TV shows and multiple endorsement deals. This guy went beyond sexist pig and was downright rude to the staff - screaming like a 3 year old, throwing things. Total jerk. I was sooooo happy when he lost those jobs and the money. I don't think he's making a comeback any time soon either. 😁
Load More Replies...
Victoria Pitt 3 years ago
Story is a little weird because as the person commented above - I've stayed in a lot of hotels and could never pick the room let alone the floor I was on. Poolside view or Beach view maybe, but not the floor, unless maybe I called but definitely not an option I've ever seen online.
Frozengeckolover 3 years ago (edited)
I've booked a specific floor before, but never a specific room. Maybe when they said the reservation was for a "fourth floor room" they just meant it was for the fourth floor, not a specific room number.
Load More Replies... Keisha 3 years ago
The only place I have ever used to rent rooms where it wasn't a direct reservation was from Hotels.com. On the second time I used them I got to the hotel in Houston,it was a Hilton and I requested the club floor. On that floor it's extremely quiet,you can only access that floor if your room key shows you are on that floor. I got there and the person working didn't want to be there and it showed. I said so I'm on the club floor and she said oh no,we are all full. I said no my reservation clearly says club floor only. She pretended I hadn't said a word so I called Hotels.com and in about three minutes miraculously I had my correct room. I travel often and usually book through them and thankfully that was the only time I have ever had an issue.
Thalia Lovering 3 years ago (edited)
To the person who said that they don't know their room number prior to check-in, indeed you don't get to know your room number but you might know the floor since many hotels have similar room types on the same floor and sometimes they state that on the website. This way, you know that when you book a standard double you are on the second floor but if you book a superior one you are on the third.
Frozengeckolover 3 years ago
This is true; a lot of hotels have different types of rooms on different floors. Some hotels let you specify the floor. If im staying in a crowded city I usually ask for "a single room on the highest floor, facing the back"; so I can be as far away from the noisy street as possible. I've never had a problem getting a room like that. One hotel in downtown Atlanta called me after I made my reservation to clarify whether I wanted "top floor" or an "attic room". I had never stayed in an attic room, so I picked that. It was a cozy little room, that looked more like a bedroom in a house than a hotel room, but the elevator didn't go to that floor. It was cheaper (because you had to walk up a flight of steps), and it was so quiet!
Load More Replies...
Suzi Q 3 years ago
I try to book directly with the hotels anymore. Having had trouble with 3rd party sites, I've been avoiding them at all costs. One hotel we checked 3rd party and it had a price $5/night discount. But direct booking at the hotel provided free parking which saved us $20/night. The 3rd party booking didn't get free parking. But the booking site didn't mention anything about the parking.
Sosena Hailu 3 years ago
All the time people at hotel registers get so mad when we show up. What the hell did we do?
Two_rolling_black_eyes 3 years ago
My dad used to be the night auditor for the Brown Palace 40 years ago pre-PC and pre-credit card. Its Denver's version of Waldorf NY or Ritz Paris. It was a target for con men who knew it was cash rich and so were the guests. The front desk regularly had con men who'd try to break several $100 bills and over and over into change and end up with more money than the started with (can I get 3 $20, 3 $10, 2 $5 and 10 $1 = $10 profit on $100). The front desk would explain my dad was the only one who could break it right then and get him. He'd then run the con on them so they were forced to count each time and ask for corrections - you're the night auditor because you're really good at math. A house detective would step out and go grab a policeman. When they got back, they'd turn over the con man and the video tape of the front desk. After a couple got decent sentences for attempt to commit fraud, the word got around to leave the front desk at the Brown Palace alone.
Nicole A 3 years ago
Awesome story. YouTube Abbott and Costello for their 7 into 28 routine and their 7x13=28 routine. Better yet, their 2 tens for a 5 routine. Sounds like a similar thing. I used to use those examples every year (math teacher) to show my students how easy it can be to be fooled by wrong math.
Load More Replies... Valisbourne Spiritforge 3 years ago
I'll use 3rd party sites to browse hotels from time to time, but I always book on the hotel site itself.
bonnyatlast 3 years ago
I won't book third party ever. My husband was very ill and after numerous dr appointments, surgery and a hospital stay we wanted to get away for a few days to put the trauma behind us and return to a somewhat normal life. So we booked an Oceanside room where you could just step out and sit on a patio and had a great view. When we got there the room we were given was for the handicapped. It looked like a hospital room. They had no clue what we had just been through. We were in no need of a handicap room. The hotel was privately owned and expensive. And when I asked to be moved they said all the other rooms were booked that was all that was left. I had made reservations months earlier. It was heartbreaking. What we tried to escape from was thrown back at us. Never use that booking business again. Ever.
Nicole A 3 years ago
That's ironic (I'm not trying to make fun of your crummy situation). I *am* handicapped and travel with a wheelchair. I always specify I need a wheelchair accessible room. I'll even call the hotel specifically to make sure. I can't tell you how many times I don't get one. It makes going to the bathroom a nearly impossible task because the door is too small and there's no room in there for both chair and toilet. Usually they've ended up giving the handicap room to an able bodied person. The best (worst) was the hotel that put me on the 4th floor but their elevator was out of service. I said unless you're carrying me up those stairs, please find something on the first floor at least!
Load More Replies... Nicole A 3 years ago
First of all, tip your front desk agent because they control what room you get. People tip concierge like crazy but when they closed we took over the work for the night and would still not get tipped. Worked my way through college at a Ritz-y 😉 hotel. We knew all the good view rooms, the ones with ants, the ones that were near the ice machine, etc. If it was a nice repeat customer or someone celebrating something like honeymoon we'd try to give them the best available room. New mom? Put them in one of the quietest rooms. You get the idea. We got a lot of VIPs in there that would act like their poo doesn't stink. We used to love giving them the room with the running toilet you had to jiggle the handle on. Especially the ones that pushed their weight around to try and get everything for free. Best guest ever was Paul Newman. He learned our names right away and was very personable - asked about our families and everything. So down to earth. Great guy.
Nicole A 3 years ago
Worst guest would probably be a tie. I'm sure I can't mention names but it later came out that both men were charged with sexual assault. Nobody on staff was surprised. One has somewhat recovered his reputation (although he's not on any shows lately, but I think it's more a retirement thing). The other guy lost his TV shows and multiple endorsement deals. This guy went beyond sexist pig and was downright rude to the staff - screaming like a 3 year old, throwing things. Total jerk. I was sooooo happy when he lost those jobs and the money. I don't think he's making a comeback any time soon either. 😁
Load More Replies... Victoria Pitt 3 years ago
Story is a little weird because as the person commented above - I've stayed in a lot of hotels and could never pick the room let alone the floor I was on. Poolside view or Beach view maybe, but not the floor, unless maybe I called but definitely not an option I've ever seen online.
Frozengeckolover 3 years ago (edited)
I've booked a specific floor before, but never a specific room. Maybe when they said the reservation was for a "fourth floor room" they just meant it was for the fourth floor, not a specific room number.
Load More Replies... Keisha 3 years ago
The only place I have ever used to rent rooms where it wasn't a direct reservation was from Hotels.com. On the second time I used them I got to the hotel in Houston,it was a Hilton and I requested the club floor. On that floor it's extremely quiet,you can only access that floor if your room key shows you are on that floor. I got there and the person working didn't want to be there and it showed. I said so I'm on the club floor and she said oh no,we are all full. I said no my reservation clearly says club floor only. She pretended I hadn't said a word so I called Hotels.com and in about three minutes miraculously I had my correct room. I travel often and usually book through them and thankfully that was the only time I have ever had an issue.
Thalia Lovering 3 years ago (edited)
To the person who said that they don't know their room number prior to check-in, indeed you don't get to know your room number but you might know the floor since many hotels have similar room types on the same floor and sometimes they state that on the website. This way, you know that when you book a standard double you are on the second floor but if you book a superior one you are on the third.
Frozengeckolover 3 years ago
This is true; a lot of hotels have different types of rooms on different floors. Some hotels let you specify the floor. If im staying in a crowded city I usually ask for "a single room on the highest floor, facing the back"; so I can be as far away from the noisy street as possible. I've never had a problem getting a room like that. One hotel in downtown Atlanta called me after I made my reservation to clarify whether I wanted "top floor" or an "attic room". I had never stayed in an attic room, so I picked that. It was a cozy little room, that looked more like a bedroom in a house than a hotel room, but the elevator didn't go to that floor. It was cheaper (because you had to walk up a flight of steps), and it was so quiet!
Load More Replies... Suzi Q 3 years ago
I try to book directly with the hotels anymore. Having had trouble with 3rd party sites, I've been avoiding them at all costs. One hotel we checked 3rd party and it had a price $5/night discount. But direct booking at the hotel provided free parking which saved us $20/night. The 3rd party booking didn't get free parking. But the booking site didn't mention anything about the parking.
Sosena Hailu 3 years ago
All the time people at hotel registers get so mad when we show up. What the hell did we do?
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