Newspapers in 2025: Why Are Hotel Guests Still Demanding Yesterday’s News Today?

Middle-aged guests surprised by lack of newspapers in a modern setting, reflecting changing media habits in 2025. — In a cinematic portrayal, we capture the bewilderment of guests discovering the absence of newspapers in our digital age. It's a striking reminder of how rapidly our media landscape has evolved, especially as we navigate the year 2025.

Picture this: It’s 2025. Artificial intelligence writes your emails, self-driving cars are old news, and your hotel room’s alarm clock just asked if you’d like your coffee drone-delivered. Yet, in the lobby, a guest bellows, “Where’s my newspaper?!”

Let’s be honest—most hotels tossed out the complimentary newspaper rack sometime around the Great Fidget Spinner Craze of 2017. But as u/OmegaLantern hilariously recounted on r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk, some guests are still mystified (or miffed) to find there’s no crinkly broadsheet awaiting them with their continental breakfast. In an era where headlines whiz to our pockets in milliseconds, why are people still pining for yesterday’s news, literally printed on dead trees?

The Newspaper Holdouts: More Than Just Nostalgia?

It’s easy to chalk this up to nostalgia. There’s something undeniably comforting about the routine: the soft thwack of the paper outside your door, the ritual of folding it just right, the delicate art of not getting ink on your shirt before your 8 a.m. meeting. For some, this isn’t just about news—it’s about a feeling, a memory, a stubborn stand against the relentless march of technology.

But let’s not kid ourselves. The reality is, most newspapers today are thin, ad-stuffed shadows of their former selves, struggling behind paywalls and sky-high subscription fees. The “paper” in newspaper is rapidly becoming more of a collector’s item than a daily necessity.

"But the Text is Too Small!"

One of the most common refrains from these newspaper-seekers, as u/OmegaLantern wryly notes, is: “Yeah, I could use my laptop/tablet/phone, but the text is just so small!” Here’s the kicker—have you seen the font size in actual newspapers lately? You’d need a magnifying glass and Olympic-level squinting skills to get through a Sunday crossword. Digital news, on the other hand, lets you pinch, zoom, and bump up the font size until the headlines are visible from space. Paper? Not so much.

Let’s call it what it is: a case of “techno-nostalgia.” The devices exist, the apps are free, but for some, there’s a mental block. It’s like still asking the front desk for a wake-up call instead of setting the alarm on your phone. Old habits die hard—especially for those who remember Y2K, rotary phones, or when “streaming” meant wading in a creek.

Tech Has Left Some of Us Behind (But That’s Okay!)

Now, before we start shaking our fists at the cloud (pun intended), let’s show a little empathy. Technology moves fast, and not everyone’s ready to keep up. For some, the transition from print to pixels feels like a betrayal—or, at the very least, a hassle. Maybe it’s the tactile joy of flipping a page, or the reassuring rustle of a section being folded just so. Maybe it’s just muscle memory.

But here’s the good news: If you’re reading this, you’re already a step ahead! The internet isn’t going away, and neither is digital news. If you’re a guest longing for the days of inky fingers, maybe it’s time to give that tablet or phone a second chance (bonus: you can read it in the dark and no one will judge you for reading the comics first).

The Bottom Line: Yesterday’s News, Today’s Laughs

So, to the hotel front desk workers fielding the occasional “Where’s my newspaper?”—take heart! You’re not alone. And to the guests clinging to the last vestiges of print journalism: We see you. We salute your commitment to tradition. Just remember, your phone can do everything the old paper could—except maybe line a birdcage.

The next time you check in, maybe skip the “Do you have the newspaper?” routine and ask for the WiFi password instead. Or, heck, start a new tradition—snap a selfie with the digital front page and share it with your grandkids. Who knows? In 2035, that might be the new nostalgia.

Are you a die-hard newspaper fan or have you fully embraced digital news? Have you seen someone ask for a newspaper in the wild lately? Share your thoughts, stories, and best “front desk” moments in the comments below!

Original Reddit Post: Why Are People STILL Asking For Newspapers In 2025???