Bro Jorking His Shiz': The Unwelcome Rite of Passage for Hotel Front Desk Workers
There are few jobs that expose you to the full breadth of human weirdness quite like working the front desk at a hotel. Most days, the wildest thing you’ll handle is a guest demanding late checkout or asking where to find the best local tacos. But every now and then, something happens that cements you as a true veteran of hospitality’s front lines. For one Redditor, u/sydreadsbook, that moment arrived during a quiet study session—when the phone rang and, before they knew it, they’d become the unwitting participant in a “jorking his shiz” call.
If you’re not familiar with this phrase, count yourself lucky. Let’s just say it’s the kind of hospitality horror story that gets retold in break rooms and Reddit threads for years.
The Call No One Wants: When “Just Doing Your Job” Gets Weird
Picture this: you’re minding your business at the front desk, prepping for an exam, enjoying the peaceful lull of an empty lobby. The phone rings. You answer with the usual cheery greeting, only to have the caller launch into a rambling monologue about their depression and struggles with medication. You’re sympathetic—after all, hospitality means listening, right? You check if their name matches anyone in-house (it does, sort of), and when they ask about checkout time, you assume it’s just another lonely guest needing to talk.
But then things take a turn. The breathing gets heavy. The questions get weirder: “Am I breathing at the right pace?” There’s a long pause. Then you hear it. The unmistakable, horrifying sound of “bro jorking his shiz.”
As u/sydreadsbook recounted in their now-legendary r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk post, “That’s the last time I let someone talk for more than a minute unless I’m actively making a reservation for them or something.” The innocence is gone, replaced by a new rule: cut off the talkers before they get weird.
The “Jorking” Chronicles: Tales from the Community
If you thought this was a one-off, think again. The comments section quickly turned into a support group for front desk veterans and phone-answerers everywhere. As u/SkwrlTail wisely advised, “I find putting them on hold is the best response. Denies them the angry response they're seeking.” It turns out, the front desk isn’t the only line of work where these calls happen—suicide prevention hotlines, women’s college receptionists, and even random households in the pre-caller ID era all have their own “jorking” stories.
Some, like u/MerelyWhelmed1, shared hilarious memories: “I picked up the phone to hear heavy, ragged tell-tale breathing. As I was thinking of a response I heard a woman's voice in the background yell, ‘Michael! Michael! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!’ And then a shocked teen boy, ‘Mom!’ And the the phone disconnected.” Sometimes, the universe delivers instant karma.
Others have developed creative coping strategies. One commenter’s mother, after getting one of these calls, simply replied: “You do know I'm a 220lb 45 year old mother of 2 with false teeth and thinning hair, right?” The caller hung up immediately. As u/sdrawkcabstiho put it, “Either way, she didn’t have to deal with him any longer.”
Why Do They Do It? (And How to Shut Them Down)
The psychology behind these calls is as murky as the motives themselves. As u/lady-of-thermidor mused, “Is it an angry response they want or shock and embarrassment?” u/Seamore_J_Turtle hit the nail on the head: “Some want one, some want the other, they vary their approach depending on what outcome they’re looking for.” The consensus is clear: whatever their goal, don’t give it to them.
Veteran staff know that the best way to disarm a “jorker” is to put them on hold, hang up, or hit them with a witty comeback. One favorite from the comments: “That didn't take long. I see why you have to call random people on the phone.” Quick wit and a swift hang-up go a long way—and as u/Mookie-Boo proved after being woken at 2 a.m. by a rude request, sometimes the best defense is a solid roast: “No, if you were any good at that you wouldn't be calling people at night asking.”
Welcome to the Club: You’re Not Alone
Reading through the stories, it becomes clear that getting one of these calls is almost a rite of passage in certain jobs. As u/sdrawkcabstiho shared, “I’m a dude, it’s happened to me.” Even OP, after the initial shock, reflected that “I knew it would happen at some point from what I’ve heard from others but I was trying to avoid it for as long as possible.” There’s a strange comfort in knowing you’re not the only one fielding calls from the world’s creeps.
And let’s be honest: if you can survive a “bro jorking his shiz” call, you can handle just about anything the front desk throws at you. Next time the phone rings, you’ll have your finger hovering over the hold button—and a snappy comeback ready, just in case.
The Last Ring: Share Your War Stories
So, hospitality warriors and customer service survivors: what’s the weirdest call you’ve ever answered? Have you ever had to deal with a “jorker”? Share your stories in the comments below—because if there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that laughter (and solidarity) are the best ways to handle the bizarre side of the hospitality biz.
And remember: the next time someone asks if they’re “breathing at the right pace,” you might want to put them on hold.
Original Reddit Post: The dreaded finally happened