No, Sir, That’s Not On the Amenity List': When High-End Hotels Meet Lowbrow Requests
When you picture a high-end resort, you probably imagine plush robes, sparkling pools, and maybe a mint on your pillow. What you don’t expect is a guest text so jaw-droppingly inappropriate it leaves the front desk team speechless. Yet that’s exactly what happened to u/sheppardnik, a property manager who shared one of the most outrageous guest interactions ever on r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk: a guest responded to a routine check-in message by asking for “Blonde with a good attitude doesn’t use the word no.”
Cue the collective facepalm from every hospitality worker who’s ever had to smile through a customer’s cringe-worthy comments. But what happens when the person making the request is a regular who spends big money? The answers from Reddit were as hilarious as they were insightful.
When “How’s Your Stay?” Goes Off the Rails
It started innocently enough: the property’s staff sent out their standard, polite text—“We’re so glad you’re staying with us. If there is anything you need, simply respond to this message. We hope you enjoy your stay!”
The reply? Not so standard. The guest’s message (“Blonde with a good attitude dosent use the word no.”) was gross, inappropriate, and left the women in the office “ENRAGED,” as OP described. This was not a seedy motel; this was a high-end resort known for luxury, not luridness.
The dilemma: company policy demands staff respond to every guest message—no matter how outlandish. But how do you stay professional when faced with something so blatantly offensive?
Hotel Staff vs. The Entitled Guest: The Community Responds
Reddit’s hospitality veterans wasted no time weighing in. The most upvoted advice? Passive-aggressive professionalism. u/CopleyScott17 suggested a masterclass in the art of the polite brush-off: “Please visit our website at [url] for a list of the amenities we can provide and the policies we promote. Thank you for choosing [property]!” This was widely praised as the perfect way to follow the rules, avoid taking the bait, and sidestep the sleaze.
But many, like u/OMGyarn, argued for a firmer hand: “A professionally worded response from the GM stating unequivocally that this is not a ‘service’ that will ever be provided…If the guest feels the need to make such statements in the future, then guest can find different accommodations.” After all, even big spenders aren’t above basic decency.
Some took a legal tack. u/Helenesdottir reminded everyone, “Solicitations of that type are illegal in this area. Statements related to such activities made to staff are treated as harassment.” The subtext: not only is this creepy, it’s potentially criminal.
And then there was the comic relief. Numerous commenters—like u/cat_among_wolves—proposed sending a golden retriever or a photo of a therapy dog (“The best blondes,” quipped u/PonyFlare). Another favorite: “One blow up doll on its way,” from u/calimiss, with the important detail, “Don’t forget the wig!” as u/J-Bird1983 chimed in.
To Ban or Not to Ban? Drawing the Line
Plenty of Redditors pointed out the real risks behind the jokes. “Money or not. I hope there is a permanent notes record where you can mark this down,” urged u/RogueVictorian, echoing the concern for staff safety. After all, if a guest is comfortable enough to put something this gross in writing, what else might they do?
Others, like u/thatburghfan and u/lesters_sock_puppet, insisted situations like this are management’s responsibility. Why put a frontline worker in the firing line of harassment? As u/Organic-Anteater8998 shared from experience: “In a work setting, ‘jokes’ like this aren’t appropriate…My manager chose to not continue doing business with the guy.”
Some got philosophical. u/Puzzleheaded-Tip660 compared hotels to brothels—where, funnily enough, boundaries are often better enforced. “Customers at brothels are better behaved than this, (and if they aren’t, security physically removes them from the building.)” The point: if a red-light district has higher standards, what’s the excuse for luxury properties?
The Final Word: Professional Clapback and Consequences
So, how did the real-life hotel team handle it? After consulting with their COO and owner, u/sheppardnik [OP] reported they sent this absolute gem:
“That is not a service provided by our company. Even in jest our staff finds your remark offensive. We kindly ask that you refrain from such comments in our messaging portal in the future.”
Not only that—the guest was blackballed from all future stays. As OP said, “He is also blackballed and not able to stay in one of our properties in the future.” A round of applause from the community: finally, a luxury property that puts staff safety above profit.
The Takeaway: Humor, Boundaries, and a Little Outrage
This story is a perfect snapshot of the daily balancing act in hospitality: be gracious, but don’t let guests trample over decency. The Reddit community showed that a little humor helps, but clear policies and support from management are the real MVPs when guests go gross.
And hey, if all else fails, send a golden retriever.
Have you ever dealt with a guest who crossed the line? What’s your best comeback—or worst horror story? Drop it in the comments below!
Original Reddit Post: i don't even know how to respond to this one...