Why U No Quit?

The hotel has finally settled down after a heavily trafficked evening. My shift had a couple of unusual circumstances, to say the least. Though the number of check-ins accounted for only about one quarter of the hotel’s capacity, I think my left shoulder is now in enough excruciating pain that I can say I’m tense. Sometimes I forget that it is, indeed, possible, to have some type of guest issue in nearly every transaction.

There has been an influx of international guests the last couple days. The wonderful thing about this convention is that most of these guests come from English-speaking countries, so the language barrier is never severe enough that I can’t get the gist of what they’re saying. However, these guests, although excellently fluent in English, have arrived with a lethal combination of jetlag and years experience in the cut-throat field of marketing/advertising. The hotel is buzzing with these VIP executives.

My list of grievances could go on for eternity at this point. At the end of an evening like this, I am finally so beaten down and defeated that I begin to think that I am only projecting my own neurotic delusions onto these strangers. I used to think that I wanted to study sociology or psychology, but having thousands of intimate encounters with “the mighty public” has most certainly changed my mind.

Today, I’ve learned that many people, from Germany, Singapore, or The Netherlands, will attempt to bully you into submission if they mistake a moment of polite hesitation for downright stubbornness.

Today I’ve learned that people from India, Brazil, and Australia will relentlessly interrupt you to ask for things you’ve already given them.

Today, I’ve learned that people, no matter how articulate their English or how refined their education, how purposefully refute the use of “please” or “thank you” or answer you when you’ve asked how they’re doing.

Today, I’ve learned that attractive men, from all over the world, will smirk, make eye contact, and lean in really close when they’re attempting to manipulate you for something they want.

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I know. I'm asking myself the same thing.

WHY U NO QUIT?