When a Creepy Phone Call Turns a Hotel Shift Into a Real-Life Horror Story
Most people think working the front desk at a hotel means folding towels, handing out room keys, and maybe dealing with the occasional quirky guest. But as anyone who’s ever clocked in for the graveyard shift knows, the line between “quirky” and “downright terrifying” is thinner than the mints on your pillow. One Redditor from r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk recently shared a story that proves sometimes, the scariest guests aren’t the ones you see in the lobby—they’re the ones on the other end of the phone.
It started like any ordinary morning: a routine shift at a small-town hotel, a call from a potential guest, and the standard run-through of room types and amenities. But within minutes, that call spiraled into one of the most disturbing encounters the OP, u/chelslovesstuff, had ever faced on the job. And thanks to the collective wisdom (and wit) of Reddit, we have a front-row seat to both the horror—and the healing.
From “How Can I Help You?” to “See You Soon”: The Call That Chilled
It’s easy to forget that hospitality workers often operate alone, especially in smaller hotels. For u/chelslovesstuff, covering a morning shift was supposed to be low-key. But after a few harmless questions, the caller’s tone shifted. He complimented her voice, asked personal questions about her appearance, and then, as if auditioning for a true-crime podcast, dropped this gem: “I’m six foot. I bet I could overpower you. It’d be so easy.” If your skin just crawled, you’re not alone.
The final punch? The man threatened her: “How do you think you’d like for me to attack you? I think I’ll give you the knife treatment. See you soon.” He hung up, leaving the OP shaken, alone, and unsure if the threat was real or just a horrific prank. As she recounted, “I was shaking. I called my manager and told her what happened... She let me leave early and walked me to my car, telling me not to worry about it and it was probably just a prank.”
Prank or Crime? The Community Weighs In
Reddit’s hotel veterans were quick to jump in with support—and a healthy dose of skepticism about the “prank” excuse. As u/Belle_Corliss nailed it, “Pranks are meant to be funny and this was anything but.” Others, like u/JagadJyota, took a more legal tack: “You should have reported this to the police. They could have the phone number looked up by the phone company and caller thus arrested.” In hindsight, even the OP agreed, admitting, “I regret not doing so all the time.”
The thread also sparked a discussion about workplace policies and the importance of recording calls for safety. u/BlueCozmiqRays wondered, “Are hotel calls recorded for quality/training/legal purposes? If not, they should be. I’m so sorry you experienced this!” Sadly, as OP clarified, at their small hotel, calls weren’t recorded, and HR was pretty much non-existent. It’s a sobering reminder that not all workplaces are equipped to handle these situations—and that sometimes, “just a prank” is a dangerous understatement.
Tales From the Front Desk: War Stories and Wisdom
If you think this story is a one-off, think again. The comments section quickly turned into a support group/war stories swap meet. u/Wigglerstew43 described years of creepy late-night calls, including a repeat offender who would call and “pleasure himself” while on the line. “It took almost two years, but eventually, we were able to get his number blacklisted (blocked), and the calls stopped. Crazy people out there with too much time on their hands.”
Others swapped strategies for dealing with weirdos, both on the phone and in person. Some, like u/birdmanrules, shared how their team “swaps perverts”—if a guest gives off bad vibes, a male staffer handles the delivery. “The look on their face a bald male is at the door,” he quipped, underlining the camaraderie (and dark humor) that helps hotel workers cope.
Humor, too, became a shield. When one commenter described a bizarre call about a guest being “stuck” in their car due to, ahem, personal issues, u/tashaeus replied, “I have a nice sharp box cutter back here that will get rid of that problem forever!” The original poster herself, all of 4’10”, joked, “To be fair, I’m only 4’10” so everyone is tall to me, but he didn’t know that, of course and I’ve seen taller.”
Lessons Learned: Staying Safe and Sane in Hospitality
Reading through the responses, one thing is clear: hotel workers are nothing if not resilient. Many offered practical tips—like always checking your car before leaving, varying your route home, and being hyper-aware of your surroundings. As OP wisely advised another commenter, “Don’t panic! Just be on watch always... I always make sure no one is in their cars watching when I get in, check the back seats before getting in to make sure no one is hiding in my car, and make sure no one follows me out of the lot.”
There’s also a call for better workplace policies—call recording, clear protocols, and support from management. And perhaps the most important takeaway? No, you’re not overreacting if you feel threatened. As u/TinyNiceWolf put it, “A prank that's a crime. Better to let the criminal explain to the police (and then hopefully a judge) how it was a prank.”
The Front Desk: Where You Need Nerves—and a Sense of Humor—of Steel
Working the front desk is not for the faint of heart. For every complimentary guest or uneventful shift, there’s a story like this—one that lingers long after the phones stop ringing. The r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk community proves that while the world is full of weirdos, it’s also full of solidarity, dark jokes, and practical wisdom.
So next time you check into a hotel and see a friendly face at the desk, know that behind that smile might be someone who’s dealt with more than their fair share of “quirky” guests—and who could probably teach us all a thing or two about staying safe, sane, and just a little bit sassy.
Have your own hotel horror story? Or maybe a tip for handling unwanted attention at work? Share it below—because, as this community shows, you’re never really alone at the front desk.
Original Reddit Post: Phonecall turns terrifying