Snowflakes and Snowflakes: Tales of Entitlement from the Icy Front Desk
Blizzards are a staple of New England life. Locals know the snow drill: boots by the door, shovels at the ready, and a deep, resigned sigh as the flakes pile up. But nothing prepares you for the real storm: guests who believe their hotel stay should come with a personal snow valet.
For one front desk team at a bustling Northeast resort, a 20-inch snowfall became the backdrop to a guest showdown that still has Reddit’s r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk shaking its collective head. Grab your pizza box (or snow shovel) and let’s dig into a story that proves some snowflakes are more fragile than others.
When the Forecast Calls for Drama
It started like any classic New England snowstorm—except this time, Mother Nature delivered a full 20 inches on a Saturday night, with the hotel sold out and the parking lot jammed to capacity. Cars were packed in like sardines, and the snow removal crew did what they could, pushing and piling snow around vehicles with little room to spare. As the OP notes, the plows "could only get so close," leaving guests with a foot or two of snow in front of their bumpers.
The hotel, thinking ahead, left snow shovels out front for guests to use. But, as resourceful travelers do, many resorted to pizza boxes, clothing, or whatever was handy. (One Redditor, u/Rustymarble, recounted a similar blizzard tale, shoveling with a pizza box in ballet flats—a true vision of Northeastern resourcefulness.)
This is where the entitlement storm began brewing. Two days post-blizzard, a guest—let’s call him Mr. Snowplow—stormed the front desk, fuming that he was “plowed in” and demanding the hotel clear his car for him. As the OP wondered aloud, "What kind of places does he stay at? I’ve never seen a hotel that clears off your car." Spoiler: neither have most of us.
The Great Shovel Showdown
Mr. Snowplow’s demands didn’t stop at mere snow removal. He was in a big hurry, loudly insisting the hotel’s engineering team drop everything to free his Hyundai SUV. The staff, ever patient, grabbed shovels and headed out. They quickly realized the “plowed in” car could have easily driven through the foot-deep snow—especially since he was backed in and piloting an SUV built for such conditions. Still, they dutifully cleared a path for all four wheels, waiting as the guest sat idling in his vehicle, apparently in no rush after all.
But the pièce de résistance was yet to come: Mr. Snowplow then asked if he could pull back into an empty spot to better clean off his car. The staff, flabbergasted but polite, watched as he finally pulled out of the spot—no struggle, no drama, just a clear path to freedom.
As u/Langager90 quipped, “This bad boy will handle any, and I mean ANY, kind of terrain. But I'm too scawed of dwiving it to ever leave the inner city.” Sometimes, the biggest obstacle isn’t the snow—it’s the driver.
Rewards for Rants: The Rise of the Entitlement Economy
Perhaps the most galling twist? The hotel, eager to appease, comped Mr. Snowplow a night’s stay and waived some incidental charges. Cue the collective Reddit groan. Top commenter u/duckguyboston nailed it: “I hate that he was a dick and the hotel comped him a free night. To me they are just rewarding bad behavior. Now that he has the complain and get free stuff mentality he’ll continue to follow that recipe at his next stop.”
Even the OP agreed, lamenting that “we are enabling” this behavior, and that guests now openly discuss this “complain and get free things” strategy in Facebook groups. As u/RoyallyOakie observed, “He'll do this forever now.”
It’s a growing hospitality headache. While luxury resorts and certain valet services might offer premium snow removal, your average hotel—especially during a blizzard—simply can’t. As u/roloder pointed out, comparing a mid-tier property to a luxury ski resort is comparing “apples to snowballs.” And no, the staff are not your friend, guy.
A (Snow)Storm of Reactions
Reddit’s response was a blizzard of snark, commiseration, and solidarity with the front desk. Some, like u/SkwrlTail, mused that “some folks are incredibly entitled and have never dealt with the slightest misfortune.” Others, like u/ShutDownSoul, declared, “You are doing the lord's work. I would have accidentally done something that would have gotten me in trouble.”
The thread is sprinkled with tales of Southern Californians snowed in without coats, and even a hotel general manager stranded in a Georgia snowstorm, greeted by hotel staff “like Captain Oates coming back” after venturing to the only open restaurant in town. Regional differences run deep: as u/zelda_888 explained, Southern states’ roads aren’t built for snow, making rare storms especially treacherous.
But one truth unites them all: in hospitality, there’s no manual for managing entitlement—just experience, patience, and maybe a strong snow shovel.
Conclusion: The Real Winter Survival Kit
So, next time you’re caught in a blizzard, remember: the staff is shoveling as fast as they can, your SUV is tougher than you think, and entitlement is a storm best left at home. If you want to be a hero, grab a shovel—or at least a pizza box—and join the ranks of the uncomplaining.
Have you ever had to dig yourself (or someone else) out of a winter mess? Share your wildest snowstorm hotel stories (or favorite customer service facepalms) in the comments below! And if you’re ever tempted to demand a freebie from a frazzled front desk, remember: karma, like snow, has a way of piling up.
Stay warm, stay humble, and maybe pack your own shovel—just in case.
Original Reddit Post: Snow Removal