Lost in Translation: The Hilarious Poolside Tale of the Naked Japanese Businessmen
Working the front desk at a hotel might sound like a straightforward gig—greet guests, hand out room keys, and maybe recommend the best local pizza. But sometimes, just sometimes, you get stories so wild you’ll be telling them for decades. Such is the case with a tale from Reddit’s r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk, where user u/lktn62, a former assistant GM in the 1980s, found themselves smack in the middle of an international incident—of the bare-all variety.
Picture this: You’re at work, minding your business, when a panicked desk clerk tiptoes over to complain about some “uncomfortable” guests at the pool. The problem? A trio of Japanese businessmen decided to go for a swim—completely stark naked. Suddenly, your job description expands to “poolside diplomat,” and your day just got a lot more interesting.
The Unexpected Culture Clash: A Case of “When in Rome...?”
As u/lktn62 tells it, the moment they were summoned to the pool was the start of an unforgettable episode. There, in all their glory, stood three Japanese businessmen, blissfully unaware that their swimwear etiquette wasn’t quite up to local standards. The language barrier turned what should have been a simple “please put on your trunks” into an Olympic-level game of charades—one where every gesture was met with polite confusion.
It’s easy now to imagine pulling out Google Translate and settling things in seconds. But, as OP quipped, “this was 1988. I had never even dreamed of Google back then, lol.” Instead, they had to rely on wild gesticulation and a face that “was multiple shades of red before they ever understood what I was trying to tell them.”
One commenter, u/RoyallyOakie, hit the nail on the head: “Ah, the days before Google translate! Everyday a game of charades.” Another, u/AugustusReddit, reminded us that “back in the day you always had a few Berlitz for Travellers books under the counter for exactly this type of situation,” especially if your lobby was a magnet for international guests.
Poolside Diplomacy and the Art of Nonverbal Communication
Trying to bridge a language gap is always tricky, but toss in the awkwardness of public nudity, and you’re in sitcom territory. OP’s attempts to explain the “no-nude-swimming” rule through pantomime (while surrounded by three naked men) could have been straight out of Fawlty Towers. “I don’t think they ever understood why,” OP admitted, “but at least they finally did understand that they needed trunks on to swim.”
Reddit’s commentariat couldn’t resist the opportunity for wordplay. u/Queasy-Extension6465 chimed in, “Or you wrestled with the translation while they exposed their bats and balls.” OP responded in kind: “Lol, they definitely exposed their bats and balls. I know they love baseball in Japan, but I could have skipped seeing their equipment.”
Meanwhile, a helpful commenter, u/ghostlee13, offered some Japanese: “Pool wa hadaka ga arimasen. (You can’t be in the pool naked.)” Only for u/VermilionKoala to fine-tune it: “...ga ikemasen (it’s not OK to). Or just ‘pool wa mizugi ga hitsuyō’ (you need swimming wear in the pool).” If only Google Translate—or a handy bilingual guest—had been around poolside in 1988!
Tales From the (Hotel) Crypt: Why We Share Stories
Some wondered why OP waited nearly 45 years to share this gem. OP’s answer? “Why not? Lol. I’ve never had a forum dedicated to just the hotel industry to share stories with until I found this one on Reddit. Anybody who has worked in a hotel has stories to share.” This sentiment drew plenty of support, with u/birdmanrules encouraging hotel veterans to spill their tales, no matter how old: “You are very welcome to post here about hotel experiences a day ago or 50 years ago. A lot of things never change.”
And that’s the beauty of these stories—they remind us that, no matter how much technology or hospitality training evolves, human nature (and occasional culture clash) is timeless. Whether you’re wrangling naked businessmen in the pool or wrasslers in the parking lot (that’s another story for another day), these moments are the lifeblood of hotel lore.
The Community’s Verdict: Write On!
Reddit being Reddit, the “Wrestlers and a Baseball Game” headline sparked its own thread of curiosity. “When are you gonna give us the story titled Nude Swimming Businessmen that’s all about the wrestlers at the baseball game?” asked u/ShadowDragon8685, who then encouraged OP (and anyone else with a tale to tell): “Do not ever listen to anyone who says ‘it’s too long.’ Write! Write until you’re content!”
Others speculated about the origins of the business travelers, with u/AugustusReddit joking, “Plot twist—they were Japanese Sumo wrestlers.” The running joke was clear: in the wild world of hospitality, you never really know what’s coming next—or who’ll be baring it all, literally or figuratively.
Conclusion: When Life Gets Weird, Tell the Tale
So next time your workday gets a little weird, remember the assistant GM who braved a poolside nudist summit—armed with nothing but red cheeks and an arsenal of hand signals. And if you’ve got a story to share, don’t wait 45 years. Post it, tell it, and let the world laugh (and maybe cringe) along with you.
What’s the wildest hotel moment you’ve experienced—or witnessed? Share your story in the comments below, and keep the hospitality hilarity rolling!
Original Reddit Post: Wrestlers and a Baseball Game.