Source: Pexels / Reddit

Working the front desk teaches you that while getting a guest checked in should take two minutes, it holds the potential to turn into a full-scale negotiation. Somehow, handing over a room key can involve twenty questions, three complaints, and a minor identity crisis.

What would you do if your smooth sailing check-in process was disrupted by an unexpected language barrier? One woman recently shared a bonkers story about this on Reddit. Here’s what happened.

A Language Dilemma

The situation takes place last year at the hotel where I worked previously in Bulgaria.

I’m working the day shift, a slow weekend day; nothing really special.

I finally get a group of four people – Greek-Russians (a very interesting combination).

Already off to a fun start.

Two men and two women, clearly couples coming for a nice double-date weekend trip, looking lovely and normal.

One of the men, who was their self-proclaimed spokesperson, approaches me and asks “У вас есть свободные номера?”, which is Russian for “Got any available rooms?”.

I do not speak Russian, but I know that much with my working in hospitality all my life, so I respond in English, “Yes, I’ll need your IDs, please!”

Seems like a sensible solution.

It’s worth mentioning, without trying to blow my own horn, that my English is really, really good.

I often get compliments from native and non-native speakers alike.

The group gives me their IDs, and I pick out two really nice rooms for them to stay in, so now it’s time for the payment.

She’s already given them top-tier service.

Before we could process that, the self-proclaimed spokesperson had some questions about the parking, which he started asking me in Russian.

If you are from a country that uses the Cyrillic writing system, and the language is phonetically similar to the sound of the former Soviet Union giant’s, then you’ve also probably had this conversation:

Me: Oh, I’m so sorry, I don’t speak Russian.

That’s drawing a stark line in the sand.

Spokesperson: *Repeats the same thing, in the same pace, adding a few more words at the end in hopes that they might be the missing piece that’s going to break the language barrier*.

Me, now speaking significantly slower: Sir, I do not speak Russian.

This goes on for another two minutes, with me having now tried Google Translate to get my point across, but that wasn’t good enough.

It never is.

The other members of the party start looking defeated and confused, but nobody else is saying anything.

I finally reach my breaking point and let out a final:

SIR. I *pointing at myself*.

She’s breaking out the body language now.

DO NOT *making an X with my arms*.

SPEAK *making a flapping motion with the fingers of my right hand*. RUSSIAN.

The bloke turns to his friend and asks him in Greek, “What’s she saying?”

That had to be infuriating.

I nearly start crying.

I know what that phrase means because my boyfriend is Greek.

The absurdity of the situation reaches new heights when the other man responds in Greek that I don’t speak Russian and then proceeds to ask me about the parking in perfect English.

And he only chose then to speak up!?

The payment is processed.

Keys are issued and distributed to the group.

They’ve gone up to their rooms.

Good riddance!

I’m in shambles.

My reality is warped beyond recognition.

I love my job.

Whatever she’s getting paid, it’s not enough. Let’s see what the good people of Reddit had to say about this one.

Reddit readers jumped at the chance to share their own stories.

And shared their own approach to the situation.

One person granted much-deserved kudos to the OP.

Others could relate to the story in their own ways.

One person in particular was in awe of how it was handled.

They couldn’t check in until they got her checked out!