It’s a rarity to find a place of work that is adequately staffed. You can get away with this in some places more than others, but the waters become murkier when it comes to things like hotel staff.

How would you handle being the sole representative at the front desk? This guy shared some silly anecdotes from his experience like this with Reddit. Here’s what he said.

Sometimes I miss being the only guy working the front desk.

Several years ago I was working night audit at a smaller hotel, only 63 rooms.

For a good stretch I was the only guy at the front desk.

Every time a guest said an employee said they could do something that sounded weird I’d ask what their name is.

What an incredible bit.

Every time the guest didn’t remember it, but they would say, “It was a woman, if that helps”.

It didn’t.

But one story in particular stands out because any physical description of the other front desk employees could not describe me. Here’s what the conversation.

Me: Good morning! Checking out?

Guest: No. I need you to print off some documents from this flash drive.

He could have been more polite about that.

Me: I’m sorry but I can’t put your flash drive into my computer. Hotel policy.

Guest: But an employee has already done it several times in the last two days.

(They weren’t lying. An employee was doing that.)

That sounds like a whole lot of not his business.

Me not believing them at the time: I’m sorry but they shouldn’t have done that. Can you tell me who it is please?

Guest: I didn’t get their name. But they had a nose ring.

Me: I’m the only one here who doesn’t have a nose ring.

Well, that’s not helpful then.

Guest: It was a woman.

Me: I’m the one guy here. So we’re still at square one.

Guest: They had a tattoo.

This is starting to sound suspicious now.

Me: I’m the only one here who doesn’t have a tattoo. I’m *sheepishly* afraid of needles.

Guest: She is black.

Me: I’m the one white person at the desk. Not counting the AGM.

This is the most uncomfortable game of ‘Guess Who”?

Guest getting annoyed: Well she was young.

Me: *sigh* I’m the oldest one at the desk.

Guest: Well she’s taller than you.

Surely a flash drive isn’t worth all of this…

Me: We’re still at square one. I’m the shortest person here.

Guest very annoyed: Seriously?!

Me: No. Only two of the women are taller than me. Was she only slightly taller than me or could she use me as an arm rest?

At least he’s disarming him with humor.

Guest kinda chuckling: She could use you as an arm rest.

Me: Okay that employee often does things that are against hotel policy. More than once she’s left the property when she’s the only one on the clock because she wanted to get something to eat. I’ll have a talk with her.

That’s one long-winded way to get to a solution. Let’s see what the Reddit comments had to say about this one.

Many folks seemingly had experienced something similar.

And got equally as much of a kick out of it.

One person shared their own awkward encounter.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about an employee who ends up quitting over a dispute over bereavement leave.

Another person was not amused.

But others reveled in the absurdity.

Every day with him was a case of mistaken identity.