Don't Let The Door Hit You....

[Generic]

Just got back X feedback from a guest. If I thought that this guest was a donkey before this, they completely confirmed it. I avoided them like the plague. Let's just say that it wasn't 3 minutes before he made his extreme political (to us, in this country) views known. Didn't realize they booked shared (didn't read of course). A few direct jabs at me... which is funny, because they are all more complimentary than what I thought of them. Basically complained about everything, from me to A to Z.
Partner was complementary as they left, which is laughable. I avoided the dining room when they were there and avoided talking to them. At least one other guest said that they creeped them out as well.
But they are gone... and now their feedback is coming in. So, smile, say we will look into it and then move on. And if they review, I might actually admit that we were glad to see them gone.

 

[Morticia]

So sorry. Some people should not leave their own country, or attempt to experience a different mindset.
I've never actually said in a review response that it was a pleasure to see a guest leave, but it's an excellent response to some people.

 

[Highlands John]

Very occasionally it's a real pleasure to see them leave.
They stay, they pay, they go away!!!

 

[Generic]

Very occasionally it's a real pleasure to see them leave.
They stay, they pay, they go away!!!.

After that first day, where I tried to dissuade him from talking politics around here, because his views are seen as very extreme around here, he asked leading questions, trying to bait us. Other guests made comments to me about him. It was not a good situation. I just avoided him like the plague. It's a shame though, the other couple were so nice and we had a great discussions with them, when we could be around the table.
Did I mention that they yelled at me because the neighbour, suddenly, had work done on their home and the trucks and workmen made street noise. As if I had a way of controlling when they neighbour did work on their home. They thought that I was doing work on the house while guests were here.

 

[TheBeachHouse]

I dare you! I wonder how to word it so that everyone reading immediately knows the writer is he donkey, not the innkeeper.
Let's try. "We enjoyed meeting you as much as you enjoyed your stay."
"It just isn't the same here without you!"
"We were happy to see you off!"

 

[Generic]

I dare you! I wonder how to word it so that everyone reading immediately knows the writer is he donkey, not the innkeeper.
Let's try. "We enjoyed meeting you as much as you enjoyed your stay."
"It just isn't the same here without you!"
"We were happy to see you off!".

How about....
We love almost of our guests, with very few exceptions. Congrats on being so exceptional.

 

[GoodScout]

Our PO told us "You'll be happy to see most of your guests arrive. There will be a few you'll be happy to see leave."

 

[TheBeachHouse]

I dare you! I wonder how to word it so that everyone reading immediately knows the writer is he donkey, not the innkeeper.
Let's try. "We enjoyed meeting you as much as you enjoyed your stay."
"It just isn't the same here without you!"
"We were happy to see you off!".

How about....
We love almost of our guests, with very few exceptions. Congrats on being so exceptional.
.

How about....
We love almost of our guests, with very few exceptions. Congrats on being so exceptional.

LOL

 

[Generic]

Our PO told us "You'll be happy to see most of your guests arrive. There will be a few you'll be happy to see leave.".

I danced a jig of glee as they left, knowing that things would return to normal.

 

[Anon Inn]

Yes...the leading questions from the verbal trolls. Unfortunately confrontation is what they want. Met only with relentlessly cheerful dissuasion and pleasantly neutral yet acknowledging comments by me. (I grew up in a dysfunctional household) It doesn't feed the hunger. The best you can do is tirelessly diffuse and avoid when possible. You win when they leave.

 

[Morticia]

Yes...the leading questions from the verbal trolls. Unfortunately confrontation is what they want. Met only with relentlessly cheerful dissuasion and pleasantly neutral yet acknowledging comments by me. (I grew up in a dysfunctional household) It doesn't feed the hunger. The best you can do is tirelessly diffuse and avoid when possible. You win when they leave..

Lately, I've been throwing my hands up and saying, 'politics? That's my exit cue.' And I leave.
Doesn't happen often. But I'm trying not to engage with any side.

 

[Anon Inn]

Yes...the leading questions from the verbal trolls. Unfortunately confrontation is what they want. Met only with relentlessly cheerful dissuasion and pleasantly neutral yet acknowledging comments by me. (I grew up in a dysfunctional household) It doesn't feed the hunger. The best you can do is tirelessly diffuse and avoid when possible. You win when they leave..

Lately, I've been throwing my hands up and saying, 'politics? That's my exit cue.' And I leave.
Doesn't happen often. But I'm trying not to engage with any side.
.

That would be my tactic if I had as many rooms as you. Those conversations eat precious time.

 

[Morticia]

Very occasionally it's a real pleasure to see them leave.
They stay, they pay, they go away!!!.

After that first day, where I tried to dissuade him from talking politics around here, because his views are seen as very extreme around here, he asked leading questions, trying to bait us. Other guests made comments to me about him. It was not a good situation. I just avoided him like the plague. It's a shame though, the other couple were so nice and we had a great discussions with them, when we could be around the table.
Did I mention that they yelled at me because the neighbour, suddenly, had work done on their home and the trucks and workmen made street noise. As if I had a way of controlling when they neighbour did work on their home. They thought that I was doing work on the house while guests were here.
.

I've thought about this a bit - let them talk outside the inn, let them test out their theories on people who don't have to pretend to be polite, don't explain they are not going to find a lot of sympathy. Probably the worst thing you can say to someone like that is they should keep their opinions to themselves. There is no place in the world they think their opinion isn't important, correct, and the only valid opinion.
Or, suggest Austria for their next trip abroad.

 

[Generic]

Yes...the leading questions from the verbal trolls. Unfortunately confrontation is what they want. Met only with relentlessly cheerful dissuasion and pleasantly neutral yet acknowledging comments by me. (I grew up in a dysfunctional household) It doesn't feed the hunger. The best you can do is tirelessly diffuse and avoid when possible. You win when they leave..

This is what I never understand.... we are all proud of our country... why should you expect me to be anything but proud of my country... I wouldn't expect you to not be proud of yours.
One morning the guest asked a leading question about where I would like to live in his country... and honestly, there are very few places other than here that I would like to live. That's why I live here... because this is where I want to live.

 

[Generic]

Very occasionally it's a real pleasure to see them leave.
They stay, they pay, they go away!!!.

After that first day, where I tried to dissuade him from talking politics around here, because his views are seen as very extreme around here, he asked leading questions, trying to bait us. Other guests made comments to me about him. It was not a good situation. I just avoided him like the plague. It's a shame though, the other couple were so nice and we had a great discussions with them, when we could be around the table.
Did I mention that they yelled at me because the neighbour, suddenly, had work done on their home and the trucks and workmen made street noise. As if I had a way of controlling when they neighbour did work on their home. They thought that I was doing work on the house while guests were here.
.

I've thought about this a bit - let them talk outside the inn, let them test out their theories on people who don't have to pretend to be polite, don't explain they are not going to find a lot of sympathy. Probably the worst thing you can say to someone like that is they should keep their opinions to themselves. There is no place in the world they think their opinion isn't important, correct, and the only valid opinion.
Or, suggest Austria for their next trip abroad.
.

Maybe you are right. You always want the best for your guest, but maybe trying to save them the hassle isn't the right way to do it. Maybe I should just let them learn the lesson, that what's acceptable at home, isn't in another country.

 

[Anon Inn]

Yes...the leading questions from the verbal trolls. Unfortunately confrontation is what they want. Met only with relentlessly cheerful dissuasion and pleasantly neutral yet acknowledging comments by me. (I grew up in a dysfunctional household) It doesn't feed the hunger. The best you can do is tirelessly diffuse and avoid when possible. You win when they leave..

This is what I never understand.... we are all proud of our country... why should you expect me to be anything but proud of my country... I wouldn't expect you to not be proud of yours.
One morning the guest asked a leading question about where I would like to live in his country... and honestly, there are very few places other than here that I would like to live. That's why I live here... because this is where I want to live.
.

I found earlier in life that living for an extended time in another country enabled a better view of my own. I now have a deep and abiding love for both. Travel truly can broaden the mind. We are in a good business.

 

[Jcam]

Yes...the leading questions from the verbal trolls. Unfortunately confrontation is what they want. Met only with relentlessly cheerful dissuasion and pleasantly neutral yet acknowledging comments by me. (I grew up in a dysfunctional household) It doesn't feed the hunger. The best you can do is tirelessly diffuse and avoid when possible. You win when they leave..

This is what I never understand.... we are all proud of our country... why should you expect me to be anything but proud of my country... I wouldn't expect you to not be proud of yours.
One morning the guest asked a leading question about where I would like to live in his country... and honestly, there are very few places other than here that I would like to live. That's why I live here... because this is where I want to live.
.

Everyone I would hope is proud of where they live (as you say its why they live there) but you don't need to be a donkey about everywhere else
Perfect example was a lovely veterinarian we had stay came from Pakistan not a place I have ever considered going for a holiday - he was telling us about a fabulous mango festival they have at ripening time where you pick them right off the tree and eat them and about how he would love for us to experience his beautiful country - now we will! he was nothing but complimentary about our town but his love and pride of his own place was lovely - he should be writing their tourism stuff!

 

[Generic]

He left a review on the OTA website. I had to reply. What a donkey.

 

[Arks]

Yes...the leading questions from the verbal trolls. Unfortunately confrontation is what they want. Met only with relentlessly cheerful dissuasion and pleasantly neutral yet acknowledging comments by me. (I grew up in a dysfunctional household) It doesn't feed the hunger. The best you can do is tirelessly diffuse and avoid when possible. You win when they leave..

This is what I never understand.... we are all proud of our country... why should you expect me to be anything but proud of my country... I wouldn't expect you to not be proud of yours.
One morning the guest asked a leading question about where I would like to live in his country... and honestly, there are very few places other than here that I would like to live. That's why I live here... because this is where I want to live.
.

This is what I never understand.... we are all proud of our country... why should you expect me to be anything but proud of my country... I wouldn't expect you to not be proud of yours.

Brings to mind these lyrics I love...
THIS IS MY SONG
(Jan Sibelius - 1899 / Wds Lloyd Stone - 1934)
Finlandia
This is my song, O God of all the nations,
A song of peace for lands afar and mine.
This is my home, the country where my heart is,
Here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine.
But other hearts in other lands are beating,
With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
My country's skies are bluer than the ocean,
And sunlight beams on clover leaf and pine.
But other lands have sunlight too, and clover,
And skies are everywhere as blue as mine.
O hear my song, thou God of all the nations,
A song of peace for their land and for mine.

 

[gillumhouse]

Yes...the leading questions from the verbal trolls. Unfortunately confrontation is what they want. Met only with relentlessly cheerful dissuasion and pleasantly neutral yet acknowledging comments by me. (I grew up in a dysfunctional household) It doesn't feed the hunger. The best you can do is tirelessly diffuse and avoid when possible. You win when they leave..

This is what I never understand.... we are all proud of our country... why should you expect me to be anything but proud of my country... I wouldn't expect you to not be proud of yours.
One morning the guest asked a leading question about where I would like to live in his country... and honestly, there are very few places other than here that I would like to live. That's why I live here... because this is where I want to live.
.

This is what I never understand.... we are all proud of our country... why should you expect me to be anything but proud of my country... I wouldn't expect you to not be proud of yours.

Brings to mind these lyrics I love...
THIS IS MY SONG
(Jan Sibelius - 1899 / Wds Lloyd Stone - 1934)
Finlandia
This is my song, O God of all the nations,
A song of peace for lands afar and mine.
This is my home, the country where my heart is,
Here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine.
But other hearts in other lands are beating,
With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
My country's skies are bluer than the ocean,
And sunlight beams on clover leaf and pine.
But other lands have sunlight too, and clover,
And skies are everywhere as blue as mine.
O hear my song, thou God of all the nations,
A song of peace for their land and for mine.
.

I visited the Sibelius Memorial in Helsinki (a tree made of pipe organ pipes for branches - looks like a weeping willow) and then a few days later, to tour his house and property. It is indeed a beautiful country.
Our State Song (Country Roads became another due to the recognizability of it) says what is really felt here:
Oh those West Virginia Hills, how majestic and how grand
With their summits bathed in Glory like our Prince Emmanual's land
Is it any wonder then that my heart with rapture fills
When I stand once more with loved ones on those West Virginia Hills.