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I 28 (M), work the front desk at 2 hotels in one building. We had a professional sports team planning to stay with us for three months as they are preparing for the season. The owner of the hotel sent up an assistant manager to “help us” and give suggestions to best prepare for them. When I tell you he came in hot is an understatement. Upon his arrival, he checked into a room, demanding I take his bags to his room for him. I was working alone and had 25 more check-ins that night. I grabbed him a luggage cart and explained why I couldn’t leave my post. Less than 15 minutes later, he was back with photos and complaints about the state of the room. His only complaint was a line of dust on the top of the door frame. He showed me at least 10 pictures of the line of dust. This man is 5’3 in boots. (all love to the short kings) He had to climb and be looking for an issue with this room. I apologized and saw we had many rooms to move him to. I did that. Didn’t hear from him again that day.

The next day, he stormed into the lobby while I was helping a guest move rooms after their room was too loud, as it was next to the highway and their baby couldn’t sleep. He stepped in front of me and told them that due to their minimal status, I couldn’t do this for them. Then he pulled me into the back while the guests were standing at the front desk. He tried to explain to me how status works and how we will be roleplaying this situation back later in the night. I walked out and moved their room. He then yelled at me for allowing that to happen. I informed him that he, as my manager rather worry about people and not status, plus we had 45 open rooms. He stormed off, cursing me out under his breath.

The next day we were having a normal conversation talking about sports. We got back on the topic of work as he assigned me tasks that the general manager, or even the front desk manager, would do. I jokingly said, “Look, that sounds like something the front desk manager would take care of. I’m just the front desk guy.” he slammed his hand on the desk, telling me how he is getting pushback from everyone here. Either people need to get in line, or there's the door.” I tried to de-escalate; that didn’t work out well. He started demanding respect and that people follow his orders. I let him know, “Respect is earned, not given.” he agreed with that statement, then said, “But I am your superior, and I demand your respect.” At that point, I said the conversation was not productive and returned to my front desk station. He followed me out of the office, calling me a “coward and a pussy.” I chuckled and continued performing my duties. He repeatedly and aggressively taunted me, telling me to call our general manager, despite my attempt to avoid disturbing her on her day off.

Later that night, while assisting a guest by delivering milk to their room, he asked where the walkie‑talkie was. I informed him of its location and continued assisting the guest. He was constantly on the phone while he had been here, so I believed he was speaking to whoever he is on the phone with. As I was at the guest door, it hit me he may have been talking to me. I walked to where he was to ask him what he needed. He was nowhere to be found. My bartender was in the area, so I walked over to ask her if she heard what he may have needed. The “manager” barrels out of the elevator screaming, “YEAH, HE HEARD WHAT YOU SAID!” accusing me of not listening to him, being disrespectful, and being insubordinate. I tried to calm him down and asked what he originally needed from me. He wanted the cleaner, who had just taken the first break of his double shift (it was 8:30 PM), to pick up towels that he had walked past 5 TIMES. I informed him that the cleaner was on his break and I was more than willing to clean it up. That sent him off. Telling me, “My job is to stand behind the desk and not speak until someone walks up to me. You are a puppet.” I asked him, “So you walked past those towels 5 times, and it didn’t cross your mind to pick them up?” His response? “That’s not his job; he’s here to make changes.” That's when I let him have. The greatest insult that just came out of my mouth. Didn’t think of it; it just slipped out. “Damn dude, you must be a C-section baby, the way you avoid labor.”

He fired me on the spot. Laughing in his face, I told him "You have no authority over me. My job is not in danger in the slightest. I’ve been here for two months, and I have over 45 glowing reviews about me.” After he told me to go home or he’s threatening to call the cops on me, I realized that his shift was ending and I still had 3.5 hours left. I’m just gonna go home and make him work the desk. Where he doesn’t know what to do.

On my way out, I told him, “This my way of the highway approach doesn’t work here. We are a team, and we look out for each other.” He went on to tell me how I'm not a leader and never will be. I will be without a job, a life, or anyone to love me. Here’s where I know I'm the asshole: I told him, “Damn, Caroline (Outkast reference, saying he thinks his shit don’t stink), your Napoleonic complex is showing,” walking out, waving to him as he hurled childish taunts at me.

Turns out I was right: when he tried to have my coworkers write a report to corporate about me, they all said they didn’t see or hear anything. Told you we look out for each other.

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