Smoking Shenanigans: Tales from the Front Desk and the Unstoppable Cigarette Brigade
Picture this: You're settling in for a peaceful continental breakfast at your hotel—maybe a little too much orange juice, maybe a highly questionable muffin. The sun is shining, birds are chirping, and the only thing that could spoil this tranquil scene is, well… a sudden, pungent cloud of cigarette smoke wafting from the next table. And just like that, your breakfast in paradise morphs into breakfast in a smoky dive bar. Welcome to the daily reality for many hotel workers, as hilariously recounted by u/GoldenCrownMoron on Reddit’s r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk.
Their post, “Why are smokers like this?” is a goldmine of relatable frustration for anyone who’s ever worked in hospitality—or, frankly, just tried to enjoy a smoke-free meal. The scenario? Smokers lighting up right next to NO SMOKING signs, by the breakfast patio, and five feet from the lobby door, despite all polite (and not-so-polite) reminders. The kicker: “You never see me force feeding someone a quesadilla, do you?” Touché.
The Great Hotel Smoking Debate: Why Is This Still a Thing?
Let’s break it down. In an age where smoking sections have gone the way of rotary phones and Blockbuster memberships, why are there still guests who treat every hotel threshold as their personal Marlboro lounge? Is it a lack of reading comprehension, a wild spirit of rebellion, or just good old-fashioned entitlement?
It’s not just about the smell (though, let’s be honest, eau de stale cigarette is hardly the new Chanel No. 5). As our intrepid front desk worker points out, people are eating right by these impromptu ashtrays. There are no ashtrays provided—because, you know, it’s a non-smoking area—and yet ashes and butts seem to appear as if by magic, leaving staff to play an unwelcome game of “Find the Burn Mark” with the furniture.
“But It’s Cold Outside!”: The Perpetual Excuse
Here’s a classic: “But it’s cold (or windy, or raining) outside!” Sorry, friend, but that’s not a loophole in the fire code. That’s just weather. We’ve all got bad habits (some of us are still emotionally dependent on cheese fries), but most of us try not to inflict them on unsuspecting strangers. You don’t see anyone force-feeding guests a piping hot quesadilla in the lobby—though, honestly, that sounds like a pretty solid incentive program (“No smoking here, but have you tried our cheesy special?”).
The Unseen Toll: Staff vs. Smoky Mayhem
For hotel staff, the battle against rogue smokers is never-ending. Signs get ignored, polite requests get brushed off, and the sheer volume of cigarette butts found in the oddest places (planters, window sills, the occasional ice machine—don’t ask) could probably power a small recycling empire. And let’s not forget the lingering stench that clings to curtains, rugs, and the collective patience of every housekeeper on the payroll.
One can only imagine the internal monologue: “Why, oh why, must I rescue yet another patio chair from the clutches of stray tobacco ash?” Or, “Is ‘right by the door’ really the new ‘outside’?” If hotels had loyalty points for patience, front desk workers would all be platinum members for life.
Entitlement, Laziness, or Just Habit?
So why do some smokers seem to treat every no-smoking sign as a suggestion rather than a rule? Maybe it’s a sense of entitlement—“I paid for this room, so I paid for this air!” Maybe it’s laziness—“The designated area is, like, a whole 20 feet away.” Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the deeply ingrained habit of lighting up wherever and whenever, rules be damned.
But here’s the thing: hospitality is about making spaces comfortable for everyone. And that means not turning the breakfast nook into a smokehouse, no matter how badly you crave your morning cigarette.
Let’s Keep It Fresh—For Everyone
Next time you’re tempted to sneak a smoke where you shouldn’t, remember the poor souls on the front desk frontlines. They’re not just enforcing rules—they’re defending the sanctity of breakfast, the health of their guests, and the longevity of the lobby carpet.
And if you’re a fellow hotel worker with your own tales of smoky shenanigans, or just a guest who’s ever had your morning coffee ruined by a whiff of Winston, join the conversation! Share your stories, vent your frustrations, or even propose your dream no-smoking sign (“If you light it, you fight it—housekeeping, that is”).
What’s the wildest place you’ve ever found a cigarette butt? Should hotels invest in quesadilla-based bribery? Drop your thoughts below—smoke-free, of course!
Have a funny or infuriating hotel story to share? Sound off in the comments! And remember: the only thing that should be burning at breakfast is your toast.
Original Reddit Post: Why are smokers like this?