Exemplary Moments Demonstrating the Over-the-top Lifestyles of the Wealthy, Disconnected from Our Real-world Realities
In the posh realm of high-end restaurants and luxurious hotels, the stereotypical behavior of the wealthy often defies logic. From guests treating their pets like royalty to acting as if they own the establishment, the absurd tales shared by hospitality workers never cease to astound. In this reimagined piece, we delve into the most extravagant and strange incidents encountered by the staff behind the scenes.
So when someone posed the question, "People who work in high-class restaurants and hotels, what's the most ridiculous, stereotypical 'rich person' thing you've ever seen?", employees from all corners of the globe enthusiastically dished out their tales. The tales they spun range from hysterically weird to jaw-droppingly astonishing. Here's a peek into the lives of the super-rich, a world where money talks but sometimes it whispers the weirdest things. Remember, behind every ridiculous story is a hardworking hospitality professional holding back laughter – or tears.
One unforgettable incident happened when an upscale restaurant's regular client, a grandson of a hotel chain magnate, would order only $10 worth of food and tip $100. This arranged meeting turned into a friendship, with the young man inviting the cook over to watch a highly anticipated boxing match and cook for him and his family. When the cook charged him $300 for the meal and time spent at his home, the client happily handed over a check for $1700 – enough to cover the cook's car repair costs completely[1].
Another absurd tale involves an Indian gentleman who started visiting a Canadian restaurant chain, splurging $200 on wine and tipping $1000 each time. It didn't take long for the serve staff to engage in a competitive battle over who would cater to his whims. One evening, after he'd imbibed too much wine, he complimented the busboy's watch. To show his appreciation, the wealthy guest removed his own Tag Heuer and gifted it to the busboy. The next morning, the man returned to reclaim his car and ask if the busboy was present. When the busboy appeared, he removed the new Tag Heuer from its box and handed it to the busboy as an apology for the prior night's indiscretion[1].
A striking story comes from a premium chain restaurant in Canada, where one guest, upon arriving, spent $200 on wine and tipped $1000. After repeated visits, the employees were fighting over the chance to serve him. One night, the man became intoxicated on wine, and when a busboy complemented his watch, he took it off and gave it to the busboy. The following day, the man returned to collect his car and simply asked where the busboy was. Recognizing the situation, the busboy removed the watch as he approached the man, who said, "Brad, I'm really sorry I got drunk last night and gave you a used gift.” And then, to the hospitality worker's surprise, the man produced a brand-new Tag Heuer and gave it to Brad as a replacement[1].
It seems that money can't always buy good manners, as some of the rich and famous forget that hospitality workers deserve to be treated with respect. However, it's the heartwarming instances of kindness and generosity that remind us that there's a brighter side to the upper echelons of the service industry.
For instance, when a landlady in Giza, Egypt discovered that a tenant's car was out of commission, she lent him three of her luxury vehicles – a BMW 520i, a Mercedes-Benz S600, and a Land Cruiser – to use while his was being repaired. She also covered the fuel costs[1].
Another touching story involves an elderly, wealthy woman who lived near a famous set of pyramids and took in a tenant. When he was set to graduate from college, she gifted him keys to her beach villa, available for him and his family to use, covering the cost of food and drinks. Furthermore, she didn't demand a key back until he had actually visited the property[1].
Despite absurdities and occasional rudeness, the world of the super-rich is far from all bad. Hospitality workers often encounter kind and considerate individuals who treat them with the respect they deserve. As one worker put it, "These thoughtful guests restore faith in humanity and keep the staff motivated, even after dealing with the demanding ones." Through it all, the staff at high-end establishments remain unified in their commitment to provide exceptional service to their eclectic array of guests.
In the realm of extravagance, an entrepreneur in Canada gifted a busboy a Tag Heuer watch after complimenting it, only to return the next day with a replacement when he realized the initial gift was used[1]. At a premium chain restaurant, a guest, upon arriving, spent $200 on wine and tipped $1000[1]. These instances illustrate that in the world of the super-rich, business transactions can cross over into unexpected territory, such as entrepreneurship and personal relationships.
