Constant Explain Drain

Guest: “I have a question about my bill.”

Me: “What is your question?”

Guest: “Why did my rate go up?”

Me: “Let me see.”

Guest: “I remember the rate was supposed to stay the same! Now it’s showing me differently. I wanted it changed, and hurry up or I’ll miss my train!”

(I pull out the guest’s reg card, which clearly has ‘RATE CHANGE’ and the amount printed on it and the guest’s signature on the bottom.)

Me: “This is your signature? Yes?”

Guest: “Well… yes…”

Me: “These initials by the ‘RATE CHANGE’ show that you have acknowledged that there is a rate change in your stay.”

Guest: “Well… uh… the person who checked me in didn’t EXPLAIN it to me!”

Me: “But you signed it anyway. You sign things you don’t read?”

Guest: “THE PERSON WHO CHECKED ME IN WAS RUDE AND DIDN’T EXPLAIN IT TO ME. I MUST HAVE THINGS EXPLAINED TO ME CONSTANTLY!”