like many of you at least part of the time, I ran the inn solo or worked alone ... still do. Was reading one of the threads recently not sure which one ... about guests or friends wanting something when you're busy running the place and I (really without thinking) would tell guests 'It's just me here' or 'I'm flying solo' or whatever.
You know where this is going, by telling people I had no night staff or that if I was cooking in the kitchen I couldn't go to the office, I let myself wide open for the occasional dishonest person. I might be saying this on the phone to a friend within earshot of other people.
Caught one rifling through my office desk when she thought I was busy in the kitchen, another approached me late at night when I was going in and out of the innkeeper quarters ..., I grabbed the school bell I had on a table outside my quarters and started ringing it. Doors opened and he fled. Not a guest, no idea where he came from. I suspect some guests left the door ajar as they often did rather than bother with their key. Another night, people came to both the back and front door at the same time. I was in the kitchen and saw people coming up to the door through the very dark back yard when the front door bell rang. I grabbed my car door opener and hit the alarm. Both groups of people ran off so I'm sure they were up to no good. I felt bad for the noise at night, but glad I saw that suggestion somewhere and was happy I thought of it.
So ... when you are saying that you are working alone or can only do one thing at a time, think how you might phrase it for your safety. I would say 'My son is in the building somewhere, let me call him.' or 'My maintenance guy is in the (basement, attic, barn, whatever). I'll call him.' He was truthfully a call away but often NOT in the building, not even in the area. I invented staff, a manager, a housekeeper ... whatever seemed appropriate.
Without thinking one night I stopped at a Dunkin Donuts and asked the young girl behind the counter if she was working all alone. I never should have asked that ... she looked frightened and said 'someone is in the back'. I immediately realized my mistake and apologized. Told her if she was alone, she should never say it, however kindly meant. It was an eye opener for me.
This applies to both men and women ....
okay. nuff' said
You know where this is going, by telling people I had no night staff or that if I was cooking in the kitchen I couldn't go to the office, I let myself wide open for the occasional dishonest person. I might be saying this on the phone to a friend within earshot of other people.
Caught one rifling through my office desk when she thought I was busy in the kitchen, another approached me late at night when I was going in and out of the innkeeper quarters ..., I grabbed the school bell I had on a table outside my quarters and started ringing it. Doors opened and he fled. Not a guest, no idea where he came from. I suspect some guests left the door ajar as they often did rather than bother with their key. Another night, people came to both the back and front door at the same time. I was in the kitchen and saw people coming up to the door through the very dark back yard when the front door bell rang. I grabbed my car door opener and hit the alarm. Both groups of people ran off so I'm sure they were up to no good. I felt bad for the noise at night, but glad I saw that suggestion somewhere and was happy I thought of it.
So ... when you are saying that you are working alone or can only do one thing at a time, think how you might phrase it for your safety. I would say 'My son is in the building somewhere, let me call him.' or 'My maintenance guy is in the (basement, attic, barn, whatever). I'll call him.' He was truthfully a call away but often NOT in the building, not even in the area. I invented staff, a manager, a housekeeper ... whatever seemed appropriate.
Without thinking one night I stopped at a Dunkin Donuts and asked the young girl behind the counter if she was working all alone. I never should have asked that ... she looked frightened and said 'someone is in the back'. I immediately realized my mistake and apologized. Told her if she was alone, she should never say it, however kindly meant. It was an eye opener for me.
This applies to both men and women ....
okay. nuff' said