The Case of Broddy: When “Travel Agents” Demand Discounts and Drama at the Front Desk
If you’ve ever worked the front desk at a hotel, you know the drill: Smile, check ID, hand over keys, and hope for a peaceful night. But every so often, a guest walks in and turns a two-minute check-in into a 20-minute showdown. Meet Broddy—a master of drama, discount demands, and dubious business cards. His legend lives on in hospitality lore, and his story is a must-read for anyone who’s ever had to keep their cool with a customer who just won’t take “no” for an answer.
Broddy’s story, as told on Reddit’s r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk by u/daydaynono, is a wild ride through the early 1980s—before cell phones, before instant reviews, and long before “the customer is always right” reached meme status. If you’ve ever faced a high-maintenance guest, Broddy’s antics will sound all too familiar (and maybe make you grateful for digital check-ins).
Meet Broddy: Discount Hunter Extraordinaire
Picture this: It’s 10:30 PM, you’re running the night desk, and in walks Broddy. He’s an “occasional guest,” but you know what’s coming next. With the confidence of a man who’s watched too many late-night infomercials, Broddy hands over a business card from an American Express travel agency in Tahiti. Exotic? Sure. Legit? Well, let’s just say his registration card lists an address at a local car dealership—one notorious for shady dealings and making Spanish-speaking customers’ deposits mysteriously vanish.
Broddy’s angle is always the same: “I’m a travel agent, give me a 15% discount.” When you politely decline, he launches into a 20-minute negotiation marathon. Was this the ancient precursor to today’s “let me speak to your manager”? Maybe. Was it exhausting? Absolutely.
The Great Payphone Caper
Not one to take defeat lightly, Broddy would then ask for the general manager’s name, hoping a well-timed phone call would swing the odds in his favor. But this was the pre-cell phone era, so off he’d go to a bank of payphones, flipping through phone books like a detective in a noir film. The punchline? The GM lived one county over—Broddy always left empty-handed, his quest for after-hours justice foiled by analog technology.
A GM With a Philosophy
You might expect the hotel’s general manager to lay down the law with a difficult guest like Broddy. Instead, he served up wisdom that deserves to be framed behind every front desk: “There is no law about being an a**hole.” Practical? Maybe. Satisfying for the staff? Not so much. While the front desk team dreamed of banning Broddy forever, the GM floated the idea of comping his room. Because, of course, the squeaky wheel should get the oil—or at least a free night’s stay.
Broddy’s Global Perspective (and Backhanded Compliments)
Broddy had opinions, and he was never shy about sharing them. One night, out of nowhere, he launched into a soliloquy about the “professionalism and great service” he received in Hong Kong, followed by a sting about the “stingy” treatment he got at your hotel. Because nothing says gratitude like comparing your local inn to a five-star experience on the other side of the globe.
The Toll of Marathon Check-Ins
For most guests, check-in is a two-minute affair. For Broddy, it was a 20-minute battle of wills—enough to drive even the most patient front desk clerk to consider a new career. And for u/daydaynono, it did just that. It’s a cautionary tale: Sometimes, it’s not the hours or the pay, but the Broddys of the world that send you searching for greener pastures.
What Can We Learn From Broddy?
Every industry has its Broddys—people who push boundaries, test patience, and demand more than their fair share. For those in hospitality, it’s a reminder that policy is your shield, teamwork is your armor, and a sense of humor is your best weapon.
So, the next time a guest hands you a questionable business card and starts angling for a discount, remember: There’s no law against being difficult, but there’s also no law that says you have to lose your cool. Smile, stand firm, and save the story for your own “Tales From The Front Desk.”
Conclusion: Share Your Broddy!
Have you ever had a Broddy of your own? The guest who made you consider a new line of work? Drop your wildest hospitality stories in the comments below—let’s commiserate, laugh, and celebrate those who survive the battle at the front desk!
Inspired by: Reddit: Guest says, “I’m a travel agent, give me a 15% discount.”
Original Reddit Post: Guest says, “I’m a travel agent, give me a 15% discount.”