Why Do Hotel Guests Treat The Front Desk Like Their Therapist? Tales of Awkward Small Talk and Ice Buckets
Let’s set the scene: It’s a typical second shift at the hotel front desk. The fluorescent lights hum, the lobby is eerily quiet, and you—the lone desk clerk—are getting through your evening with a mixture of caffeine, patience, and the hope that everyone just grabs their room key and goes. Suddenly, a guest ambles in, clutching his trusty ice bucket. He asks a quick question about breakfast hours. You answer. It should end there. But no—he just stands there… smiling. Staring. Making small talk about the weather in his home state like you’re old friends at a backyard barbecue.
If you’ve ever worked in hospitality, you’re probably nodding in solidarity (or cringing in recognition). Welcome to the wild world of “front desk therapy.”