The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-11-22

clerk of one of the most
- prominent hotels in the city.
I'VE do manage to strike
good many kinds OF people in our bust
ness. The truth is that the type Of
humanity that hotel clerk doesn't
meet, sooner or later. isn't on the books.
or if he is he must be on a uncut page.
We don't have to hunt specimens either.
All We need to do IS to stand back of
the desk and keep our eyes open, and
Wen sec them all right.
And may as well tell YOU before
we 60 Sny further that a hotel clerk has
TO keep his eyes open and keep them
open wide unless he wants to set done
early and often. He has to be a diplo-
mat and a private detective an in one,
sometimes. and must on all occasions be
able to form a snap judgment Of men,
for in addition 70 the other classes OF
people we have TO deal with, we have
our share of crooks to Icok out for as
well. and it is up to the clerk to spot
these gentlemen before they have
chance to do the house or the guests
any harm.
1T is great advantage 10 a man. too,
10 work IN a large hotel here in Wash
ingtor. because It gives him such a fine
opportunity to see representative people
not only from every section OF this coun-
try. but from every other country in the
world as well. since nearly ali travellers
going through America come 10 have
look al Washington. and IL he is at all
observant. he soon becomes very much
Interested in studying the peculiarities
OF those who come from so many direc-
lions
From the standpoint of the hotel
man, the most satisfactory people to
deal with. Irrespective of calling. are
Westeraers. southerEers. and English
men.
Thy naver seem 10 bother them
selves 10 & ny great extent about the ac-
commodatiOns they are getting. like
good many other people or course,
they like everything TO be comfortable.
but they are generally taken up with
their business or their sightseeing, or
something else that they consider OF
more Importance than the exact manner
IN which they are being cared for at the
hotel About the house they are very
quiet and unobtrusive and give little or
no trouble.
AS regards foreigners, the English
men are far ahead OF all except the
Japs. who. while they are not as
heavy. spenders as the Britishers, never
theless always want good accommoda-
tions and are always willing TO pay FOR
them. They. also. are very modest and
retiring and are very pleasant about the
house
The Englishman, however, is the
most retiring OF the lot. He viii do al
most anything on earth 10 avoid attract
ing attention TO himself He is very
polite and is always willing to abide by
the rules OF the house and 10 accept the
clerks word in all matters. For instance,
II he thinks a cab driver IS overcharg-
ing him, he VIII come in and ask the
clerk about it and II the clerk says it is
all right he Viii pay at once. without a
protest
Almost the first question an English
man win ask II, I say. could you tell me
where / can get cup OF tear But they
don't stop at tea. for they are the great
est alI-round drinkers in the world.
I've seen Englishmen sit around and
drink enough 10 XIII most Americans.
but / have never yet seen one too drunk
10 be a gentleman.
The Frenchmen are more inclined TO
be 'fussy. They. for some reason or
other, will never take any other than an
outside room. They seem 10 hate any
chance of gloominess and always want
a sunny room.
The first thing German wants 10
know is If there is hotel in the city
kept by ore Of his eogntrymen. and II
there il he is more than likely to go
there. II the rooms at the German
hosiery don't suit him he Is almost sure