The Night Auditor, the Crisps, and the Divine Snack Delivery: A True Tale from the Front Desk
Let me set the scene: It’s 2:30 AM in a quiet hotel lobby, the kind of hour when time feels elastic and the world outside is wrapped in velvet silence. The only movement comes from the flicker of security cameras and the occasional ping of the elevator. You’re the night auditor, guardian of the graveyard shift, and—let’s be honest—master of finding creative ways to look busy between tasks. You’re idly scrolling your phone, enjoying a rare lull, when the universe decides to throw you a curveball, wrapped in a plastic bag and sprinkled with a little divine mystery.
That’s exactly what happened to Reddit user u/WhaleSharkQueen, who recently shared an unforgettable encounter on r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk. What started as an ordinary night shift soon turned into a story for the ages—all thanks to a packet of gravy-flavoured crisps and a self-appointed messenger from above.
The Graveyard Shift: A Place for Oddities
Anyone who’s worked nights in hospitality knows the witching hours are never as quiet as they seem. While most guests are deep in slumber, the front desk is a magnet for the odd, the lonely, and—occasionally—the inexplicably generous. Our intrepid night auditor, three months into their new role, was enjoying a peaceful night, all tasks squared away, when a guest emerged from the shadows with a plastic bag and a mission.
With cheerful professionalism, the auditor greeted the guest, only to be met with a solemn offering: a packet of gravy-flavoured crisps, delivered with the pronouncement, “God told me to leave these for you.”
Now, if you’ve ever worked customer service, you know the golden rule is “expect the unexpected”—but this? This was unexpected with a side of existential.
Gravy-Flavoured Crisps: Manna from Heaven or Culinary Challenge?
Let’s address the elephant in the room: gravy-flavoured crisps. For the uninitiated, “crisps” are the British version of potato chips, and “gravy” is… well, gravy. Imagine the savory essence of a Sunday roast, distilled into a crunchy snack. Is it delicious? Is it disturbing? Only the brave know for sure.
But the real question is: What do you do when someone claims their snack delivery is divinely inspired? Our hero handled it with grace, politely declining while firmly redirecting the “divine” snack back to its earthly messenger. The guest, unperturbed, simply nodded with the gravity of a man who has fulfilled his cosmic duty, thanked the auditor, reclaimed the crisps, and vanished into the night.
Night Auditing: Where Stories Are Served Fresh
Stories like these are part of what makes the night audit shift so strangely magical. Sure, there are spreadsheets, check-ins, and the eternal battle with the coffee machine, but there are also moments of pure, unfiltered humanity. Sometimes it comes wrapped in kindness, sometimes in confusion, sometimes (apparently) in snack food.
There’s something uniquely endearing about the interaction: two strangers, meeting in a liminal space, one offering a small, earnest gift, the other responding with warmth and humor. It’s a reminder that hospitality isn’t just about beds and bookings—it’s about connection, even when it’s weird, awkward, or gravy-flavoured.
The Perks of the Night Shift (Besides Free Snacks)
So, what’s the takeaway here? For one, if you ever find yourself craving adventure—or, more realistically, bizarre anecdotes to share at parties—consider a stint on the night shift. You’ll meet people who break the monotony with acts of kindness, eccentricity, or, sometimes, divine inspiration. You’ll learn to think on your feet, to accept gifts graciously (or decline them with tact), and to appreciate the small moments that make every night unique.
And if you’re lucky, maybe—just maybe—you’ll receive a gift from God, or at least from one of his snack-loving ambassadors.
Your Turn: Share Your Night Shift Surprises!
Have you ever witnessed or experienced a “divine” act of kindness (or weirdness) during a late-night shift? Would you have accepted the gravy-flavoured crisps, or would you have made a polite escape? Share your best (or strangest) customer stories in the comments below—because if there’s one thing we know, it’s that the night is full of surprises.
Who knows? The next tale of cosmic snacking could be yours.
What’s the wildest gift you’ve received at work? Drop your stories—divine or otherwise—below!
Original Reddit Post: Gift from God