If I had a nickel for every time someone told me I should write a book about our lives in the hospitality industry, I’d be a wealthy woman. Well, no, actually, I’d have about $1.35 in my pocket but you get my point.
And the book that has been suggested I write would not be about travel; it would be about our life in the world of hospitality. We’ve owned/operated our B&B for just over 2 1/2 years but in a prior life we owned/operated a high-profile French restaurant in San Jose, CA for 16 years and in a life prior to that, Abi worked as a restaurant manager and I worked for Hyatt Hotels – way, way back in our younger days. It’s easily said that hospitality is in our blood.
Politely But Emphatically
Our B&B guests ask us all the time, “Do you stay in B&B’s when you travel?” We always politely but emphatically say, “No.” Staying in a B&B would be like going to work for us because contrary to popular belief this life we lead is a helluva lot of work and it’s not for the faint of heart.
When we travel we hotel-it or we rent an apartment such as we did in January when we stayed in Paris for 3 weeks. And, truth be told if we stayed in a B&B we’d be silently (and constantly) critiquing everything and who wants to do that? Oh, and one more reason why we don’t stay in B&B’s; we don’t eat breakfast. Ha! Yeah, I know.
Spin A Good Story
But back to writing a book, which by the way I have zero interest in doing so because quite frankly I don’t have the patience to undertake such a project. Up until now I have been hesitant to share stories of hospitality intrigue because I don’t want to sound like a negative Nelly, (let’s face it, most of the good stories are about the stupid not-so-smart things people do) but there are ways to spin a good story and with Abi’s encouragement and our stash of stories, I think it may be time for me to start serving up a few gems. Because, after all, travel and hospitality go hand-in-hand.
One Road at a Time
As we continue on as innkeepers and traveling the world – One Road at a Time – I am going to start sharing the occasional hospitality tidbit, including a few reviews, a few do’s and don’ts, some funny and some inspiring, a few annoying and whatever else strikes my fancy. I’m not sure what definitively defines an expert, but Abi and I have been around the block a time or two (or three) so I think we’re sufficiently qualified.
Hospitality Put to the Test
So stay tuned because I might tell you about the single woman who took down 2 bottles of wine and passed out while eating take-out food in bed, or the elderly couple who became disoriented and walked right into our private quarters at 9:30 at night, or the man who protested that he did not smoke in our cottage; he only disposed of his cigarette butts in the garbage can – or I might tell you about the lovely couple who traveled from Georgia to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary, or the oh-so-nervous young man who proposed to his girlfriend. And by the way, she said, Yes!
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That all sounds really intriguing Patti – can’t wait to hear more! For people like me unfamiliar with the other side of the hospitality industry I’m sure your stories will be a real eye-opener!
Amy recently posted…Our Thai Zip Lining Tour and Safety Standards Abroad
Thanks Amy – I like to refer to it as what goes on behind the kitchen door! Stay tuned for more!
Oh yes, most definitely do share the insider stories with us, Patti! Those are the best ever! I have a ton of those to share from my days as a bellman at John Ascuaga’s Nugget here in Reno, Nevada. I hear you on the major undertaking it be to write a book. Though, these days there are a lot of books that are self published and from what I’ve read it’s not that difficult. But, I can not speak from experience on the book. I do hope to find out for myself someday! I want to hear more about the restaurant and Hyatt hotel stories too! 🙂
Mike recently posted…How To Make Your First Roast Duck A Delicious Success
Okay Mike, we’ll swap stories!
We love your idea of the hand-in-hand travel and hospitality stories.
You will never run out of material because it is garanteed
we humans will keep you in loads of fun fodder for your blog!
…or perhaps a book.
Ha! Ha! Fodder is a good word for it and yes, it’s a guaranteed source of material when you work in hospitality!
I can’t wait to read your hospitality tidbits! 🙂
Stay tuned, I’m working on it!
oh can’t wait to read more…..
Kerri recently posted…Florence Street Sign Art by Clet
Thanks Kerri! I just have to work on putting a positive/funny spin on some of our eye-rolling stories!
I’m sure those lovely snippets of human nature will quickly grow into an interesting book. What fun (well the reminiscing, if not all the incidents!). Perhaps you could record the stories as they come to mind and have it transcribed, then you wouldn’t have to sit and write.
All the best,
Jane
Jane St Catherine recently posted…3 girls and a (not) bear-proof tent
That’s a thought, Jane. I figure I’ll start with blog posts and see where it goes – but I don’t see a book in my future, but then again I never say never! Thanks so much for reading!
I could never do hospitality in any form – zero patience. But I could read a tell all book…
Mrs. Chasing the Donkey recently posted…Expat Adventures: Olive garden
It does require a lot of patience – not one of my best assets I’m sorry to say. I’m having trouble loading your page, is your site down?
I hear ya, Patti- Steve was a chef at a small inn for a year and I was the hospitality manager- and then Steve had his own cafe here for a few years and we both worked at upscale lodging facilities. But writing about it would be telling tales out of school. It is a tough life- not as romantic as people would think and 0 privacy. It takes a certain personality!
santafetraveler recently posted…Santa Fe Ghosts: Part one
Yes, Billie, telling tales – one has to be careful but I think we can enlighten and entertain with some humorous stories. And no, it’s not a romantic life when your house is full of strangers every night!