For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for October 26, 2018

gee… John sure is having fun in Ottawa

“Oh sorry, sir. Now that I realize that you are present, standing before this desk (and wearing a suit), of course we have many available rooms for you. Pardon my error. If only you had used this sort of unassailable logic when you first attempted to check in, we would have been able to produce a room for you immediately! In the future, always point out to hotel desk clerks that you are standing right in front of them, wearing a suit. That will guarantee you get you a room, whether there is a reservation for you or not!”

At least there’s a fold-out couch this time. No more spooning your coworkers!

“I want a ________ car, right ________ now…..”

The studio is better than nothing, and it’s probably cheaper too.

This is a shoody hotel

All he would have to do is produce his confirmation number and that’s the end of situation. WHAT? He doesn’t have one or didn’t bring it? But he’s standing there -- IN A SUIT! Isn’t that enough? Remember …. jokes about idiot and/or stupid husbands are FUNNY, very, very funny – has been for years! Yuck it up!

watch, he is on the list but his name is patters or jim or something like that

A few years ago my mates and I got rooms in touristy Williams, Arizona (“The gateway to the Grand Canyon”) in anticipation of a major snow storm that might close down I-40. Sure enough, in the morning there were a lot of stranded travelers sleeping in the lobby, several of them on the floor. I felt really bad that I woke up in bed and took a shower. Of course, after that we had to 4X4 to where we had the snow cat stashed and snow cat through town and up Bill Williams mountain. Working for an electric utility is great fun but at least we had a decent night’s sleep.

Why is he checking in again? How come no one has his reservations? Call a week after doing so to see if you are in the system and get the names of everyone you deal with.

One plus of the Internet: you can whip out a copy of the reservation confirmation email.

Why the repeat?

This woman sure has a hard time making eye contact.

Take the studio, John. And meantime, write down your confirmation next time and make sure you bring it when you check-in. The only way you will have recourse and proof.

I’ve been wondering why he didn’t bring his confirmation. The few times I make a hotel reservation, on line, I always print up my confirmation and take it with me.

One unisex room?

I have found a couple times that even though you have a reservation with a confirmation number, it doesn’t mean a thing if they don’t want to give you a room. On the other hand, if you have a reservation and don’t make it in time they charge your credit card anyway.

As Jerry S. once asked: "you know how to take the reservation,

but do you know how to keep the reservation?"….

Or something to that effect….

: – /

Compared to when he was stranded in wild backcountry with Phil, wouldn’t John consider this the Ritz? He must not have a good memory.

Because he isn’t in her “here” he’s in his own “here” which is over “there”.

Remember, this was originally from the era of telephone reservations, or even mailed! There were no convenient “print-out” conformations (which are great!).