Saying Goodbye to My Monday Night Regulars: Life and Lessons from the Hotel Front Desk
There are hotel jobs, and then there are hotel jobs with regulars—those mysterious, sometimes lovable, sometimes perplexing guests who turn the front desk into a stage for the best kind of sitcom. For six months, I was a cast member in this peculiar drama, working weekend mornings and Monday nights at a not-so-glamorous hotel in Boring City, Indiana. But now, thanks to a college schedule shuffle, I’m trading my Monday nights for Tuesdays and leaving behind a cast of characters I never expected to miss this much.
If you think working the front desk is all about handing out key cards and answering the same “Is breakfast free?” question fifty times a day, buckle up—because sometimes, it’s about forging little connections that make even the most mundane Mondays something special.
The Weekend Warriors and the Monday Night Crew
Weekend mornings at the hotel? Imagine chaos, caffeine, and a constant low-level sense of dread—especially with the infamous racist breakfast lady lurking in the background (a saga for another day). But amidst the mayhem, there’s Miss Mary, who checks in every Saturday and is so sweet I’d probably fight a bear for her. There’s the CLC guy who’s already gone when I clock in but whose checkout I handle like clockwork. And, of course, the train workers: their booking company is a nightmare, but the guys themselves? Salt of the earth.
Monday nights, though, are a different beast. They’re the realm of the workers: construction crews, traveling tradesmen, and the like. We’re all just here to do our jobs—me, behind the desk; them, unwinding after a long day. There’s a camaraderie in the air, a mutual understanding that we’re not here for a luxury stay in Boring City, Indiana (because, let’s be honest, the name says it all).
Among them is Harry, who comes in every week with his crew. At first, he seemed immune to my attempts at small talk. Turns out, he’s just quiet—a realization that made both our lives easier. Then there’s his colleague with the legendary room preference: rooms 107, 111, and 115 only, please, not the “backwards” 109, 113, or 117. The reverse layout throws him off, and after seeing how genuinely it confused him, I went out of my way to make sure he always got the “right way ‘round.” One commenter (u/RedDazzlr) even joked, “He might be a sleepwalker and doesn’t want to walk into the walls.” Hey, you never know!
And let’s not forget Dave, the every-other-Monday guy who never booked ahead but always called an hour out. Soon enough, I was prepping his registration and keys before he even picked up the phone. That’s what regulars do to you: they pull you into their routines, and before you know it, you’re part of their story.
Regulars: The Heartbeat of Hotel Life
If you’ve ever worked the front desk, you know regulars are both a blessing and a secret club. As u/Hamsterpatty shared in the Reddit thread, “You’ll meet more regulars. They come on every shift, lol.” She recounted her own CLC guy—snippy at first, but once she got to know his habits, she started reserving rooms for him even during sell-outs, making sure he was never left out in the cold. As she put it, “Gotta treat the regulars right.”
I couldn’t agree more. Regulars aren’t just faces you see week after week; they’re the reason you go the extra mile. They’re more understanding when things go wrong, and they make the chaos of hospitality feel a little more like home. As I [OP] replied in the comments, “I will gladly pull any strings I can for a regular, especially one who isn’t rude. I’d rather have a hotel full of regulars than not—they’re so much more likely to be understanding if something goes awry.”
And it’s not just about familiarity—it’s about trust. One commenter (u/basilfawltywasright) shared that once he knows a guest’s routine, he’ll reserve rooms for them during busy weeks, even if the guest didn’t ask. Cue the grateful surprise when the city’s booked solid, and the regular walks in to find a room waiting. “You didn’t [make the reservation],” he tells them. “I did.”
Change is the Only Constant (But There’s Always a New Regular)
But here’s the thing about hotel life: the only thing you can count on is change. My school schedule shifted, and now I’m working Tuesday nights instead of Mondays. It’s bizarrely bittersweet. Will I see Harry and his “room orientation” crew again? Will Dave still call in? Maybe, maybe not. But as u/Hamsterpatty and others pointed out, regulars appear on every shift. My new Tuesdays will just bring a fresh batch of characters to get to know.
And, as I discovered my first night on the new schedule, the cycle continues: “Already someone asked about the front desk agent who switched with me, so I assume that’s one regular I have a chance to get to know!” [OP]
Of course, not every staff member is as beloved as Miss Mary or Dave. The community couldn’t resist bringing up the infamous breakfast lady, with u/RoyallyOakie asking, “I want to hear about someone going after the racist breakfast lady.” (Trust me, so do I. I’m documenting everything, but until management changes, some battles are uphill.)
Wholesome Moments in a Wild World
If there’s a moral to these tales from the front desk, it’s that even in the most ordinary places—like a small-town hotel—you find connection, kindness, and a little chaos. Regulars can be quirky (here’s looking at you, backwards room guy), and not every shift is easy (especially with challenging coworkers), but there’s a certain magic in knowing you’ve made someone’s stay a little brighter.
As u/Bennington_Booyah so aptly put it, “I love this post because you clearly like the job and what it entails.” And honestly, I do. The social interaction, the chance to help someone, to anticipate their needs, to be a small part of their journey—it’s what makes every shift, even the wild ones, worthwhile.
So here’s to new shifts, new regulars, and new stories. If you’re a fellow front desk agent, or just someone who appreciates the unsung heroes of hospitality, remember: sometimes the most memorable moments come from the people you least expect.
Have you ever had a “regular” at your job who made your day? Drop your story in the comments—I’d love to hear it!
Original Reddit Post: Switching shifts, or “I miss my Monday guests”