A freelance journalist recounts a negative experience at a hostel, detailing a confrontation with a volunteer and the owner's subsequent failure to address the issue. The article explores the impact of the incident on the journalist's feelings and the potential for resolution.
Published: Jan. 28, 2026, 12:00 p.m. As a freelance journalist, I have often resided in a private room at a charming, yet off-the-beaten-path hostel. I've always appreciated the hostel's beauty and the generally pleasant atmosphere. However, the business relies heavily on a small group of just fifteen regular guests, including myself. Unfortunately, the hostel's location places it near a conflict zone.
During my most recent visit and departure, an unpleasant incident occurred involving a new volunteer. After checking out and bidding farewell, I proceeded towards the gate to meet my ride-share for the airport. This volunteer abruptly blocked my path, cornering me. She launched into a loud, aggressive rant, claiming that I hadn't cleaned my private room sufficiently, despite having paid $100 per night. She complained that cleaning the room wasn't her job. Initially, I was unaware she was a volunteer, as I hadn't witnessed her working during my stay. I certainly wasn't aware she was responsible for cleaning my room. I responded calmly, explaining that I had attempted to tidy the room before leaving. She reacted sarcastically, questioning my efforts. I pointed out that hostel guests rarely clean their rooms, and I had previously volunteered at a hostel, where I changed beds for approximately 200 people in a single day, clarifying that room cleaning was, in fact, part of her role. Despite my attempts to reason with her, she continued to argue and physically impede my access to my ride. \The most disheartening aspect of the situation was the owner's reluctance to address the volunteer's behavior. He refused to dismiss her, citing concerns about staff morale. He expressed the expectation that I would return the following week, which had been my initial plan. He didn't offer an apology for the volunteer's actions, nor did he provide any assurances about consequences for her conduct. This lack of concern was deeply upsetting. My consistent patronage, my financial contributions, and the friendship I had cultivated over the past year seemed to be completely disregarded. I am left feeling furious and betrayed. I genuinely want to continue visiting, but this experience has left me feeling shaken. I'm unsure how to proceed. It's difficult to reconcile the owner's perspective with my own experience, particularly the value placed on a single staff member’s perceived morale over the comfort and safety of a paying customer.\It’s reasonable to assume that public confrontation with clients is detrimental to morale, but Miss Manners isn’t entirely convinced in the current climate. There are undoubtedly various platforms online to express dissatisfaction publicly, but such actions are unlikely to restore the prior state of affairs or secure an apology, which is probably the desired outcome. Both outcomes are potentially achievable by privately notifying the owner, expressing your disappointment, and indicating that you won't be returning, as you no longer feel welcome or safe. It is then his responsibility to rectify the situation. Once the situation cools down, and the volunteer moves on -- and once the owner acknowledges the loss of one of his fifteen core customers -- he will undoubtedly re-evaluate the circumstances. Judith Martin, who is known as Miss Manners, is an etiquette expert, author and columnist. She received a degree in English from Wellesley College and began her writing career..
Hostel Customer Service Volunteer Conflict Owner Etiquette Journalist Experience Dispute Morale
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