I’ve blogged before about oddball things that have happened here at the Baer House Inn. In fact, just a couple of weeks ago you learned of my weird napkin findings. And, I’ll reiterate that most guests are very polite and respectful of my house and my things. But, there are a few things that people do that are just, well in bad form. What are those things, you ask? Well, I’ll tell you.
First, we have a very small table-top ice maker that guests can help themselves to. It’s not going to fill an ice chest but it does make enough ice to cool down a drink or fill a travel mug or two. There is a small plastic scoop sitting on top of the machine that guests can use to scoop the ice from the bucket into their container. I absolutely hate it when people drop the scoop back into the bucket and leave it there. First of all, that’s not where they found it, and second, that’s just kind of gross. Do you know how many people touch the handle of that scoop? Please don’t put it in with the clean ice. That’s just yucky.
Next, I also have a very pretty crystal candy dish on one of the tables in the entryway. I try to keep that candy dish stocked with wrapped candies, usually peppermints and butterscotch candies, but sometimes cinnamon or other flavors. It drives me absolutely bonkers when people help themselves to a candy (or two) but throw the empty wrappers back into the dish. Why? Stop it already. That’s not cool.
Earlier I mentioned the post about stains on the napkins. In that post I mentioned people leaving their china coffee cups outside on the porches. I don’t understand this. I don’t mind if you take the cup (and saucer too) outside to sip on while you enjoy the morning. But, why must you leave the dishes there? Seriously people, why? You have to come back inside anyway, why not bring the dishes with you? It’s the epitome of laziness. And, guess what, that’s where most of my cups (and saucers) get broken.
And speaking of broken things, sometimes things get broken. I get it, accidents happen. I’m not sure why people don’t use utmost care when they’re a guest in someone’s house, but still, I get it. What I don’t understand is why, when something gets broken, you don’t tell me about it. You just slink away and let me find the broken thing on my own. Because, what? I’m not going to know it was you who broke it? I’m not going to see the shattered glass on the floor? I’m going to make you pay for it? What? Just man up and confess. Yes, the proper thing to do would be to offer to pay for or replace the item, but at the very least, admit that there was an accident and the item got broken. It’s simple. We’re all adults, I’m not going to put you on a time out or send you to the principal’s office. It’s just weird.
It’s also very annoying, not to mention rude, when 1 or 2 people show up for breakfast and proceed to fill up their 64 ounce Yeti travel cups with coffee, leaving 6 swallows in the carafe for the rest of the guests. Seriously? Not cool.
This is has only happened twice, but still, strange and not proper behavior. Twice now, someone has taken something from the gift shop, an item that’s for sale, used it and then put it back. Um . . . really? One guy took a VERY expensive handmade quilt, that happens to be here on consignment so I don’t even own it if something were to happen to it, and used it to sit on at the table. He complained that the dining room chair was not comfortable (he was rather large) so he needed to add some extra padding to the seat. First of all, the dining room chairs are very comfortable (plush velvet cushions) and second, what if you spill food or, worse yet, coffee on the quilt. Now, I have to buy it.
Another guy took 2 coffee mugs from the gift shop, filled them with coffee, took them outside (thank you for not taking the China), then re-filled them, brought them to the dining room table and left them there when they checked out. Really? I know I can wash them and put them back in the gift shop, but it’s truly gauche to use an item that’s for sale and expect that I can just re-wash it and put it back in there for sale. What if everyone did that? Then I’d be selling used cups wouldn’t I?
And lastly (I’m not sure that’s a word, but I’ve seen other people use it so I’m going to do the same), lastly, I absolutely hate it when people complain about the stairs. What did they think? It’s an old house. It’s obvious from every single picture out there, that the house has 2 levels. Every room description says that the rooms are on the second floor. Why in God’s name do you bitch about having to climb stairs when you get here? No, we do not have an elevator – the house is 150 years old!!! Isn’t that one of the reasons you wanted to stay here – in this old Victorian house – because it’s old, and unique and neato torpedo? Sheesh. Seriously people, not cool to complain about the stairs. I can’t remove them nor can I move your room to the first floor. Suck it up buttercup or move to another location. We have stairs. They’re really awesome. They’re permanent and they’re staying. Get over it.
So there you have it, my latest tirade about quirky guests and less than stellar behavior experienced from some. Being an innkeeper is rewarding but also challenging at times. Mostly challenging to my sanity. I’ve developed a very large tough callus on my forehead from banging it against the wall too often, but hey, it’s all good.
What do you think readers – do you report any mishap you have that results in something getting broken? Do you offer to repair or replace it? Do you pocket your candy wrappers or look for a trash can? Do you whine about the place YOU chose to stay? (Of course not, you’re my readers and you’re cool.)
Word of the day: Pugnacious (I love this word!)
Fun fact about me: I have to stifle my sarcastic retorts when I hear people bitching about the stairs.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, June 2018. Photos courtesy Google Images and Patricia Rickrode
I dearly love you, Patricia. I would die a thousand deaths if I broke a beautiful piece of your china. You know I’d probably come to you with head bowed and pop a tear telling you. I promise not to visit until I can climb those beautiful stairs and I’d enjoy every moment of being in your beautiful home. Hugs! (Wrappers do not belong back in the bowl for heavens sake.)
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Miss Paisley, I do have one room on the main floor so if stairs are a problem I can accommodate. It just irks me when people don’t read the room descriptions BEFORE they book the room. If you have knee, or back, or hip problems, probably should make extra careful to read where your room might be. Especially in an old house.
I hope you come visit soon. I’d love to see your beautiful face and give you a big old hug. We need to catch up!
Thanks for visiting. Have a wonderful rest of the week.
Patricia
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Pft…people! They can just be inconsiderate, selfish idiots sometimes. I’m 100 percent sure I could never deal well with a bunch of people I don’t know in my house breaking stuff and helping themselves to whatever they want, treating my home as if it was a hotel that’s simply there for their sole benefit. You are far more patient and understanding that I would be. I think I’d get a cattle prod ready for any guest who complained about the stairs. Or used gift shop items. Or broke my China. See? I’d make a terrible innkeeper! I hope you have a fabulous week with many kind and considerate guests to outweigh the jerks. 🙂
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Well, as I started this blog with, MOST folks are genuinely respectful. It’s the ones who aren’t who are memorable, in a not so good way. Every day is a new challenge. Of course, dealing with the public is always a crap shoot. You never know what you’re going to get. Keeps life interesting that’s for sure. And gives me good blog fodder.
Thanks for visiting. Have a super week!
Patricia
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People taking items out of the gift shop and using them floored me. Un-stinking-believable. Pretty darn nervy. Throwing the wrappers into the candy dish is baffling, too. Very strange and peculiar behavior. Hogging all the coffee in the carafe is rude and so is leaving the china cups outside. That’s a beautiful staircase, by the way. Weirdos come and weirdos go. Hang in there, Patricia. You’ll be able to publish a book about all this stuff some day!
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Yeah – the coffee mugs especially since there are cups on the table. I don’t understand what goes on in some people’s brains. I guess they thought the set table was just for show and not actual use.
And, yes, I know, weirdos come and weirdos go. I’ve seen a few in the 3 years I’ve been doing this. But, it’s still better than what I was doing so no complaints. Just observations to gripe about.
Thanks for stopping by. Always good to see you.
Patricia
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People do the darnedess things don’t they? Before I became a teacher, I worked in the restaurant business or hospitality industry. I left to become a teacher because some of the goofy things you have written about the last two posts. There were other reasons, but heist entitlement was one of the main reasons. We have a generation of adults who feel somewhat entitled to anything and everything and we are passing that entitlement down to our kids. It’s sad. Certainly, I had several favorite\frequent guests who came to my restaurant back in the day. Those guests made my day, and in some small way I made theirs. There are all sorts of people out there – givers and takers. You and I are servants at heart. Yeah, it burns our butts when we have a taker in our presence, yet I remind myself there are more servants in the world who give of themselves for the betterment of society. Those takers are outnumbered, thankfully. Have a great week and keep smiling and whistling while you work.
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Thanks for the uplifting words Clay. Most of the guests who come through here are very kind and respectful, but occasionally we get someone who just doesn’t “think.” I’m not even sure it’s an entitlement issue, I think they just don’t engage their brain before doing something. What I don’t understand is why people don’t ask if they need something. Like the guy who wanted an extra cushion for his chair. Why didn’t he ask? It makes no sense to me.
Anyway, we do have some repeat guests as well and they make everything worthwhile. We’ve only had 2 guests who we hope to never see again. Both of their names are taped to our computer so if we see a reservation come in, we’ll cancel it. Of course, neither have dared to make a reservation again either and I suspect they never will, but we do have a black list.
Thanks for taking the time to visit today. I hope you’re on the road to a speedy recovery.
Patricia
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I would never leave this where my in laws could read it but your guest remind me of my mother in law who unfortunately or fortunately died before I married my wonderful husband. My mother in law was a nurse & a wife of a doctor and raised wonderful moral children but those children still laugh about their mother actually stealing towels, what nots (read as ashtrays) every time they went on vacation – where did that come from & why? Even families know that weird person they are related to. I assume they were charged on their bill for the towels, etc. but it was not like they needed them. Never know about people!
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Now that is weird. Although, my dad used to take towels as well. That was in the days before the hotel staff started keeping track of such things and charging the credit card they had on file when something went missing. That’s why most places require a credit card before booking a room nowadays.
I’ll never be able to figure people out. Some days it’s downright entertaining, other times it’s just annoying the things I encounter.
Thanks for sharing, Joelyn. I love to hear other people’s stories.
Patricia
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Patricia, I admire and applaud you for your extraordinary patience! Egad, those rude and entitled guests (so glad they are in the minority) would make me tear my hair out! I think it’s a combination of not being raised to known good manners, and a sense of entitlement.
Before I knew you, my late husband and I owned a business where we did a lot of the prep work for family entrees (think Dinner’s Ready), and customers had the option of doing the assembly in-store. You’d be amazed at how many took (for example) 2 cups of cheese when the recipe called for 1/2 cup. Or who broke down a lasagna or enchilada dish into 3 or 4 foil pans when it was designed for 1. We wound up *losing* money on those orders (and the profit margin wasn’t great to begin with).
I think that many people assume that because you “own” (LOL, the bank owns) a business, you’re rolling in dough. I’ll bet the abusers never owned and ran a business and have no idea what it takes, especially in a highly competitive industry like hospitality.
Hang in there, kiddo! I’m thrilled you’re so busy, and do hope to visit someday!
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Yeah, it’s truly a matter of just not thinking (or knowing) that what they are doing is rude. Like the candy wrappers for instance – were there any wrappers in there when you grabbed your candy? Did you have to fish around through wrappers until you found a candy? NO. So, why do you think that’s where the wrappers should go?
And taking a mug from the gift shop for your coffee is just absurd to me. The gift shop is across the hall in a completely different room from where breakfast is served and where the coffee service is. Why did they do that? I just can’t figure out why they thought that was ok?
People are weird that’s for sure.
Thanks for stopping by and offering words of encouragement. I appreciate knowing I’m not alone in my thinking.
Have a great rest of the week.
Patricia
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