by Linda Joyce

Created on: August 23, 2009

Service industry jobs are notoriously low-paying, which often makes the public susceptible to undeserved treatment. One such setting where you may have to deal with rude staff is the hotel industry.

People in service jobs know that they are supposed to greet all customers with a smile and exhibit an eagerness to help. However, there are many times when we get treated as though we are bothering them.

So how do we, the public, deal with rude hotel staff? There are a few ways that come immediately to mind.

First, it's important to be polite. Make sure you don't raise your voice when dealing with them because that will only give them ammunition to use against you. It's not wrong to come right out and ask them what the problem is. Most people don't like confrontation and at that point may choose to back down; and even though they may continue to mutter under their breath, they may complete their service to you without additional nasty remarks or actions.

If this isn't the case, there is nothing to stop you from demanding to see a manager. If the rude employee tells you that a manager is not on duty, thank them and then find another employee who will get you to a manager. If for some reason, there really is not a manager available at the time you need them, do not give up. If you are staying at the hotel for a day or two, there will certainly be another opportunity to find one.

When you do get to speak with him or her, explain exactly what happened with the employee (make sure you have noted their name and the time the confrontation took place). After you state the problem, ask the manager what they will do to make up for the poor customer service.

If they say there is nothing they can do, be sure to take their name for you will need to take this even higher.

You may not be able to get any satisfaction at this point, but there is nothing stopping you from finding out information about their corporate office and filing a complaint with them. You may be able to do this online, or you may have to write to them; but either way, be sure to do this, and follow up if you don't get a timely reply.

One other possibility of getting recourse in this situation is writing to an ombudsman who is in a position to take your case to the hotel corporate management. Ombudsman are sometimes listed in local newspapers and often listed in publications such as travel magazines.

No reputable hotel wants bad publicity, and in most cases, they will do anything they can to shut you up, including giving you some compensation or a free night's stay to make up for the rude behavior of their hotel staff.

With what it costs for a hotel stay these days, there is no reason anyone should put up with rude behavior. If you do not get satisfaction after you have complained, you should take your future business elsewhere.

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